Considering its historical context, who would guess that Fullers Hill has ties to automobiles? Alvan T. Fuller, a self-made businessman, left an enduring legacy. It lives on through the Fuller Gardens and the Fuller Foundation. But how did Fuller make his fortune?
Fuller’s story began humbly. At fifteen, he worked at the Boston Rubber Company. He moved crates for long hours at a meager wage. But young Alvan was ambitious. He studied at home and raced bicycles. By 16, he was a New England champion. He repaired and sold bicycles from his barn.
At eighteen, Fuller opened a small shop. It read “Alvan T. Fuller, Bicycles and Tires, We specialize in Repairs.” The business boomed. In his first year, he repaired and sold over 360 bicycles. When he was 21, Alvan T. Fuller traveled to Europe. He wanted to see the automobile he’d heard about. He returned with the first two cars to enter the Port of Boston. They were French “DeDion Bouton Voiterettes.”
He sold the cars for a profit. In 1900, he opened a second shop in Boston. It sold bicycles and automobiles. By 1920, Fuller became the most successful auto dealer in the country. He sold Packards and Cadillacs. He even originated the idea of paying for a car over time. Fuller entered public life. Theodore Roosevelt encouraged him to run for office. Fuller served in the Massachusetts House. He then served two terms in Congress. He became Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Massachusetts.
Fuller never cashed a paycheck as a public servant. He remained interested in politics. In 1910, Fuller married Viola Davenport. She was studying to be an opera singer. The Fullers had four children. They spent summers in New Hampshire. Fuller took pride in his Golden Guernsey milk cows. They produced milk for sale at his dairy.
Fuller was also a noted art collector. His collection included Renoir, Rembrandt, and Monet. He donated paintings to the National Gallery of Art. He also gave to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. His philanthropy was wide-ranging. It included art, hospitals, and education. He established The Fuller Foundation. It continues to benefit charities in Greater Boston and New Hampshire. Fuller died in 1958 and his wife in 1959.
In 1927, Fuller commissioned a garden at his summer estate. He wanted to honor his wife, Viola. The Olmsted Brothers Firm improved the gardens in the 1930s. They created a rose garden for Viola. Fuller wanted more color visible from the road. The rose gardens boast 1,700 bushes. They feature 125 different varieties. The Japanese garden remains a sanctuary of serenity. Today, Fuller Gardens stands as a testament to Fuller’s life. It showcases his success and his love for his wife. Fullers Hill stands as silent witness to his enduring legacy.