In addition to the architectural merit and grace of the house, the gardens behind it are of utmost interest. They are one of, if not THE, oldest surviving historic gardens on High Street. Designed by Henry Ward, personal friend of William Wheelwright’s, the gardens today retain much of the original layout.

The earliest surviving photograph of the garden from the 1860s is unique in that it shows not only the still-existing beautiful summerhouse and original layout of the garden but also members of the family as well as the gardener. To have much of this early design still extant is beyond wonderful!

To consider it being turned into a hot -topped parking lot or house foundation is beyond what I can imagine.

I encourage anyone reading this blog to get a copy of the book “Gardens of the New Republic: Fashioning the Landscapes of High Street, Newburyport, Massachusetts” and read more about this property and the rich horticultural history of High Street and Newburyport. The book is available at the Newburyport library, bookstores and it can also be obtained through the website www.historicgardensofnewburyport.org as well.

Please air your concerns about the preservation of this property! The time is very short! The members of the Board of Directors need to be aware of their responsibilities, not only to their endowment fund, but also to the the long range preservation of this house and garden. They were given a great gift more than 100 years ago and it would be a terrible thing if they disregarded their responsibility to that property.

Sally R. Chandler, Amesbury

Sally Chandler contributed to the book “Gardens of the New Republic: Fashioning the Landscapes of High Street, Newburyport, Massachusett” (which contains information about the Wheelwright property) The book is available at the Newburyport library and bookstores. It can also be obtained through the website www.historicgardensofnewburyport.org.