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AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



February, 1907 



Mrs. Slater's House on the Hunt Estate 



In the Heart of the Blue Hill District, Near Boston, Massachusetts 



By George Brayton 



^HE beautiful country home of the late artist 

 William Morris Hunt, situated in the heart 

 of the Blue Hill District, just outside Bos- 

 ton's suburbs, is still in possession of the 

 family, three of the children having separ- 

 ate homes within its spacious grounds. Of 

 these, the most noteworthy is that of Mrs. 

 Mabel Hunt Slater, a daughter of the artist, and widow of 

 the late Horatio N. Slater. 



Four years ago last July, the first tree was felled, in order 

 to lay the foundation of the house, the beautiful grove "Pine 

 Bank" having been selected for a site, and during the past 

 year Mrs. Slater has converted the new residence into what 

 already seems like a delightful old English homestead, mel- 

 lowed and enriched by the passage of time. 



Setting fairly astride the crest of the ridge, it is sur- 

 rounded by hundreds of oak, pine, and other trees, and Is 



approached by an avenue which winds picturesquely up the 

 hill, making a broad sweep to the spacious porte-cochere, from 

 which a commanding view of the distant horizon Is obtained, 

 overlooking several peaceful villages and the Neponset 

 River, winding its sunglinted course far below. 



The estate consists of nearly one hundred acres, and the 

 utmost care is taken that its natural advantages shall not be 

 lessened by undue artificial treatment. A musical brook runs 

 through the grounds, adding the welcome element of water; 

 this stream may eventually be converted Into a miniature 

 Dutch canal, affording the children of the neighborhood op- 

 portunities for boating and skating. 



The front of the house stands upon a terrace, and is chiefly 

 of cypress timbers and stucco; its color is agreeably height- 

 ened by a red-tiled roof, on which the sun gleams In the 

 midst of the shadows of the pine trees. 



The basement Is of red brick, treated with unusual deco- 



Oak, Pine and Other Trees Surround the House, Which Is of the English Style with Half Timber Work 



