Glass and Shells

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Have you ever seen a stained glass window designed with glass and shells like this one?

It's Sunday but this was not found inside a church. This window is located to the right of the doorway of Thursday's "Old House." I have walked by and admired this 1880 Queen Anne set high on sloping land near the golf course on Wollaston Hill. I've wondered what the window to the right of the doorway looked like from the inside. I got my answer the other day when the owner came outside in the cold to find out why I was photographing his house, and invited me inside.

Jack told me that he and his wife, Elinor, purchased Boston/Quincy architect, William Chapman's homestead from Chapman's daughter. Chapman's daughter told them that her father created this window and left a box of leftover glass and shells in the cellar in case repairs were needed. Jack said that he has made good use of those leftover pieces because everyone who sees this unusual window has to touch it or poke at it . . . especially the grandchildren.

I am grateful to Jack and Elinor for graciously inviting me into their home to view, photograph, and share these beautiful stained glass windows that they have lovingly maintained over the years.

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Thursday is "This Old House Day"

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This 1880 Queen Anne style house on South Central Avenue, was the residence of William Chapman, a local architect who designed numerous public buildings as well as residences. William Chapman designed the white marble wings to the Massachusett's State House in nearby Boston. Chapman's family owned this house until about 50 years ago when the present owners purchased it. We will visit this house tomorrow to look at some of the stained glass features inside. What do you think is the function of the bump out above the doorway?

Wollaston Branch Library

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The Wollaston Branch of the Thomas Crane Public Library was erected in 1922 at 41 Beale Street by the versatile architect, William Chapman, whose practice was in Boston, although he lived in the Wollaston section of Quincy. This simple Classical Revival institutional building was built for $15,000 and in spite of its modest scale, is still an important component in the Beale Street streetscape. I really like the decorative pediment above the doorway. The library is listed on the National Register of Historic places.