Salem

Oct. 5, 2007 Boston

We start out by heading to the Frederick Law Olmstead NHS. Olmstead was the architect for numerous parks throughout the U.S.; Central Park After driving around in what seemed like circles through multiple small towns we finally found the spot and found out it was closed for renovations.

So, on to the JFK NHS. This was only 5 miles from Olmstead but it seemed like 20. Each town runs into the next around here and then there are the one-way streets. After driving around the block twice and asking for directions we finally found it.

The JFK National Historic Site is the birthplace and boyhood home of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Kennedy spent his formative years in Brookline, an up-and-coming Boston suburb. It was here his family began their rise to prominence.

Kennedy's mother Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy dedicated the house in 1967. She had restored the birthplace to its 1917 appearance to the best of her recollection. Unfortunately the home is closed due to lack of funding.

Rose said of her son, "He was full of energy...charm and imagination...he thought his own thoughts, did things his own way, and somehow just didn't fit any pattern.

One more try to the Longfellow NSP. The Longfellow was home was built in 1759 as has the distinction of being lived in continuously for over 250 years.

Tory John Vassall Jr. and his family occupied the home from 1759 to 1774. The home was just one of many magnificent estates owned by British sympathizers. On the eve of the Revolution in 1774 Vassall was forced to flee to England leaving everything behind.

Gen. George Washington next occupied the home from 1775-1776. The home was large and strategically located and Washington used it as his headquarters. Martha lived here with George during this time and he received dignitaries, fellow patriots and others to the home. Here he also plotted strategy with his generals, celebrated his 17th wedding anniversary with Martha and then celebrated the evacuation of the British army from Boston in March 1776.

Andrew Craigie, the nation's first Apothecary General and his wife Elizabeth bought the house in 1791 and increased the size and grandeur. It was now known as Castle Craigie and unfortunately plunged the couple into debt. After the General died in 1819 Elizabeth was forced to take in borders until 1841.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a young Harvard professor and up-and-coming poet was a border from 1837 to 1843.

When he married Fanny Appleton her father presented "Castle Craigie" to the couple as a wedding gift. The Longfellow family continued to live there until Fanny died in 1861 and Henry in 1882.

The home is well preserved and filled with articles from all the occupants of the home. The wallpaper is preserved as well as the contents and Longfellow's extensive library.

Our volunteer guide not only knew his history of Longfellow but also quoted portions of many of his poems as we toured the house.

Their unmarried daughter, Alice, continue to occupy the home with other family members until 1950.

Oct 5, 2007

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