Robert Treat Paine Estate

The Robert Treat Paine Estate is a mansion featuring extensive wooden shingle siding across 109 acres of land with views toward the southeast. The building combines Shingle style elements with Second Empire architectural features, creating a distinctive residential composition.

The building was constructed between 1884 and 1886 through a collaboration between architect Henry Hobson Richardson and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. This partnership between two leading designers of the era shaped the property's character fundamentally.

The estate employed craftspeople from many countries during construction, including builders from Canada, stone workers from Ireland, and marble artisans from Bohemia. This international workforce left its mark on the quality of work visible throughout the property today.

The estate welcomes visitors through guided tours and educational programs, with the surrounding grounds accessible as a public park. This arrangement allows for easy exploration of the property at your own pace.

This is the only residential partnership between Richardson and Olmsted that remains publicly accessible in the country. The rare collaboration between these two legendary designers makes this site particularly significant for architecture and landscape history.

Location: Waltham

Inception: 1866

Architects: Henry Hobson Richardson

Architectural style: Shingle style architecture, Second Empire architecture in the United States and Canada

GPS coordinates: 42.38790,-71.23140

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44