WILLIAM HICKLING PRESCOTT HOUSE
 Boston, Massachusetts
1808


Prescott House
 
The William Hickling Prescott House, at 55 Beacon Street, pictured above on the left side, and the adjoining home at 54 Beacon Street, were built in 1808 for the Boston merchant, James Smith Colburn.  These Federal period twin houses overlook Boston Common.  The land was once owned by John Singleton Copley, America's most accomplished colonial portrait painter.

These 5 1/2 story brick town houses were designed by the esteemed American architect Asher Benjamin and are highlighted by two bow-fronts.  Gracious geometric forms such as these accentuate the rhythm of the exterior design as well as create beautiful oval interior spaces. The building's Federal style features include a ground floor colonnade with delicate fluted Doric columns, elliptical fanlighted entrances with flanking side lights, colossal pilasters, elaborate iron balconies, and an ornamental balustrade over the cornice.
 

 

 
William Hickling Prescott
Reproduced from the Dictionary of American Portraits, published by Dover Publications, Inc., in 1967		    

The American historian, William Hickling Prescott, lived at number 55 Beacon Street from 1845-1859.  Prescott was one of the first English-speaking historians to write about the Spanish Empire.  His books included histories of the Spanish monarchs and the conquests of Mexico and Peru.  Some have been translated into several languages and remain in print today.
       
  Prescott made major renovations to the house.
 He built a rear addition, which included his extensive library on the second floor, and a third floor study, now faithfully restored, where he wrote his History of the Conquest of Peru and Philip II.
Prescott's Study
     
After Prescott died in 1859, his widow continued to live in the house until her death in 1872, when it was purchased by her nephew, Franklin Gordon Dexter. The Dexter family replaced the original spiral staircase with the present colonial revival staircase.

In 1944 the house was purchased by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.

  
Best Bed Chamber
     


Parlor

   The extensive collections of furniture and decorative arts have been generously donated by Colonial Dames.  Chinese export porcelain and English ceramics are permanently on view.
     


Costume:
White cotton dress with tucks and lace insertions,
 1900-1910

    

The remarkable costume collection, dating from the 18th through the 20th centuries, includes dresses, fans, shoes, parasols and children's clothing, selections of which are on continuous display. The collection is available to researchers by appointment.

 
     

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William Hickling Prescott House
55 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108

Telephone: 617-742-3190

Open:                   May 1 - October 31
                              Wed, Thur, Sat, 12-4 pm
                              (last tour at 3:30 pm)
                              Closed in 2008: May 15,  July 4 weekend, Labor Day Weekend

Admission:          $5.00

Group Tours:       By appointment
                               Rates available upon request

Directions:           The house is opposite the Boston Common, under which there is a parking garage. It is within
                               easy walking distance of the Arlington and Park Street subway stops.
 

William Hickling Prescott House ~ 55 Beacon Street ~ Boston, MA 02108

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