Cambridge Grant Historic District, Historic district on Russell Hill Road in Ashburnham, Massachusetts.
The Cambridge Grant Historic District comprises seven homes built in the Federal style between 1787 and 1834, surrounded by period outbuildings on the same property. The properties sit on approximately 322 acres of land at elevations ranging from 1,240 to 1,300 feet (375 to 400 meters).
The district originated from a 1734 land grant given to Cambridge for maintaining one of the first bridges across the Charles River, which linked Boston to settlements to the north. The homes visible today were built over the following decades.
The area attracted artists and writers starting around 1900, who gathered for theatrical performances near the historic homes. This blend of creativity and historic setting shaped the district as a place where artistic people came together.
The district is located in a rural area with limited access, so plan ahead and bring a car to visit. The best time to explore is spring through fall, when weather is pleasant and you can see the surroundings clearly.
The Walter Russell House holds some of the earliest known wall paintings from the Rufus Porter school, an itinerant painter active in the 1800s. These hand-painted works show artistic skill that has been preserved for generations.
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