Pinebank Mansion

Pinebank Mansion was a mansion situated on a hill overlooking Jamaica Pond, featuring English brick walls and terra cotta ornaments. The elevated location provided views across the water and the building contained multiple rooms spread across the property.

Architect John Hubbard Sturgis designed this mansion in 1870 as the third structure to occupy the site. The Perkins family had previously built two other houses at this location before this building was constructed.

From 1914 to 1936, the building served as home to the Boston Children's Museum, later transforming into a center for arts programs and theater productions. The space provided opportunities for education and creative expression in the local community.

The structure was demolished in 2007, with selected architectural materials preserved in an underground vault for future reference. Today the site is part of the Emerald Necklace Park system, where visitors can explore the Jamaica Pond area.

Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned landscape architect, incorporated the mansion into his Emerald Necklace Park system. He originally envisioned the building as a dining establishment, an idea that would have transformed how visitors used the grounds.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: 1870

Architects: John Hubbard Sturgis

GPS coordinates: 42.31960,-71.11950

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:40