Dreaming of English Tudor sophistication? Here at The Henderson House, dreams meet history. This Weston mansion whispers tales of wealth and elegance. It stands as the last great summer estate built here.
The Henderson House’s story begins in the late 1800s. The first house tragically burned down. A new home rose from the ashes in 1926. Edward Peirce, a wool magnate, claimed it as his summer residence.
Imagine Peirce surveying his domain. His fortune built this grand estate. Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch & Abbott designed it. They possibly used parts of the old house. The Henderson House is more than a building. It is a statement.
Notice the stone foundation. The first floor is also stone. The upper levels boast stone and half-timbered stucco. This is Tudor Revival style at its finest. Look closely. Each gable and window group has unique details.
A porte-cochere shelters the main entrance. The heavy wooden door hints at the riches inside The Henderson House. Public spaces display elaborate woodwork and ironwork.
Peirce owned over 300 acres. The estate crossed the Weston-Wellesley line. Outbuildings once included a carriage house and even a bowling alley. Today, only altered remnants remain.
Roger Babson later acquired The Henderson House. He winterized it for year-round living. His daughter, Edith Babson Mustard, inherited it. She sold off most of the land.
Ernest Henderson, Sheraton Hotels co-founder, then purchased the house. He donated a six-acre parcel to Northeastern University. The university used it as a conference center. Dignitaries graced its halls including Mikhail Gorbachev and Senators Kerry and Kennedy. Even Governor Romney visited.
The Henderson House even starred on TV. The 1980s show “Spencer for Hire” filmed here. The movie “Company Men” also used it as a location. Fundraisers and social events filled its rooms.
Sadly, the residence closed for events in 2014. The Henderson House remains a landmark. Its nearly 17000 square feet hold countless stories. It sits atop a scenic hill. The views are magnificent.
Today, The Henderson House is privately owned. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It awaits a new chapter. Its walls still echo with history. The Henderson House stands as a testament to Weston’s grand estates. It reminds us of a bygone era.