“Avalon,” the Summer Home of Hrederich Aver at Pride's Crossing 
By Mary G. Northend 
Photos by Author 
RACING the site for many years occupied by 
the Robbins mansion, on a portion of the old 
Paine estate at Pride’s Crossing, is ‘‘Ava- 
lon,’’? Mr. Frederick Ayer’s summer home. 
This palatial dwelling was designed by 
Messrs. Parker & Thomas, architects, of Boston, and the 
location chosen for its placing is the crest of a high 
elevation commanding a view 
of old ocean, and the pie- 
turesque Beverly shore. The ; 
estate, of which it forms a 
part, is twenty-two acres in 
extent, and the house stands 
back from the highway a 
full half mile, the ground 
boundaries outlined by thin 
stretches of woodland. 
The house is distinctly 
Italian in style, and in gen- 
eral appearance is one of the 
most charming homes in the 
section of the shore where it 
is located. It covers an area 
of fully ten thousand square 
feet, and the central portion 
which is three stories in 
height is flanked on either 
side by a two-story wing. 
The exterior finish is of 
brick, covered wth rough- 
cast plaster, the soft grey 
tones contrasting admirably 
with the dark red of ‘the 
tiled roof which shows a 
deep overhang Italian 
fashion. 
The broad entrance door 
opens upon a spacious hall- 
way, elliptical in shape, ear- 
in 
a 
paneled oak to a height of about nine feet from the 
floor, the space above being of stone. The ceiling shows 
heavy beams of oak. At one end of the room there is a 
massive mantel of limestone reaching to the full height 
of the room, and at the other end, opposite the fireplace, 
which is flanked on either side by sconces of beautiful 
pattern representing angels holding torches aloft, a 
gallery has been. built for 
the accommodation of the 
musicians who play here 
during a dance or afternoon 
coneert. Beautiful seven- 
teenth century tapestries 
adorn the paneled walls, 
and hangings of erush 
strawberry satin shade the 
broad windows. The  fur- 
niture is of beautiful de- 
sign, entirely in keeping 
with the general design of 
the room. 
The living-room opens at 
one side into the library, a 
charming apartment oceupy- 
ing the first floor of one 
wing. <A low dull English 
oak wainscot extends around 
the sides of the room, the 
wall space above hung with 
Japanese paper of exquisite 
tints and pattern, represent-- 
ing the four seasons of the 
year, and finished at the top 
with a deep oak cornice. A 
beautiful open fireplace 
graces one end of the apart- 
ment, and handsomely fin- 
ished  bookeases extend 
around three sides, their 
ried to the height of the rRron+T oF THE FREDERICK AYER HOUSE, PRIDE’S CROSSING Shelves filled with numerous 
roof, its floor of black and 
white marble tiles, and the 
woodwork stained pure white. White wood paneling, 
several feet high, lines the walls of the great broad 
stairways, their low treads covered with dark red vel- 
vet, and their balustrades and rails constructed of orna- 
mental iron, which wind gracefully from one side of 
the apartment to the floors above. 
The hall opens upon the living-room, a spacious 
apartment, occupying the entire sea front of the man- 
sion, and measuring about sixty-five feet in length by 
thirty feet in width. Five long windows line the end 
of the room overlooking the terrace, and afford won- 
derful glimpses of old ocean in all her varying moods. 
This terrace is laid down to grass land, and includes in 
its scope two broad covered verandas, opening from 
the rooms at the end of either wing, the one on the left 
class enclosed and filled with palms and tropical plants. 
A broad flight of stone steps connects with the lawn, be- 
low which slopes by easy grades to the water’s edge. 
The treatment of the living-room is  distinetly 
Italian, dignified and charming. The walls are of 
(The View Used on the Cover is of the Water Side of the House.) 
rare volumes. The _ soft 
green hangings that shade 
the broad double windows match in tint the plush of 
the comfortable settle arranged before the fireplace 
and resting against one end of the handsomely carved 
writing table. 
From the opposite site of the living-room leads the 
dining room, which in turn connects with the breakfast 
room. The dining room is finished in white wood with 
wall hangings of yellow damask, and the window shad- 
ing repeat in coloring these same combined tints. The 
broad fireplace is topped with a mantel of delicate earv- 
ing, and the hearth is of marble. Beautiful oil paint- 
ings adorn the walls, and above the handsome side- 
board hangs a fine old-time mirror. The furniture is of 
Dutch design harmonizing in finish with the general 
scheme of the whole room. 
The breakfast room is cosy and inviting, and con- 
nects with the finely equipped service department. It 
is finished in white wood and contains a handsome fire- 
place with facing and hearth or ornamental tiles. 
Groups of narrow recessed windows, shaded by pretty 
