If you’ve read ‘Coffee & Chiffon’ for any length of time, you probably know by now that I love touring a good ‘ol mansion or historical landmark on gloomy days or during more laid-back weekends- and New England has plenty of them (historical landmarks and gloomy weather, I mean.) It’s a calming and educational experience- and a perfect way to get out of he rain, snow or cold depending on the time of year.
I’m also a big fan of Christmas décor- so when I can see stunning holiday displays in and around aforementioned mansions and landmarks- I jump at the chance. Case in point- this past weekend when I traveled to Milton, Massachusetts to check out the Eustis Estate and their renowned ’12 Days of Christmas’-inspired decorations.
Constructed in 1878 by architect W. Rlaph Emerson, the Eustis Estate was home to W.E.C. Eustis, his wife Edith Hemenway and their three children and was subsequently passed down through generations of the family. It sits on more than eighty acres of land and is not visible from the road. Instead, visitors first catch a glance of it’s gigantic size as they make their way up a winding driveway that wraps around the house. I audible gasped when it first came into view. It’s a truly stunning and breathtaking structure.
The estate also has the distinction of being the most recently occupied- having been inhabited by Eustis’ descendants until 2014 after it was sold to the Historic New England Society two years earlier. It was then remodeled and opened to the public as a tour-able museum in 2017.
Since then, they’ve have annual Christmas displays this time of year- with large and intricately decorates trees, garland and wreaths throughout the house. I spent about an hour or so going from room to room and snapping photos while it started to snow outside- and it was magical!
I believe the decorations are remaining up through the New Year- and given that Milton is under twenty minutes from Boston- it’s definitely worth the trip!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 