Step Back in Time: Be a Day For a Night-August 27, 1982

1890s Elegance at Day House

The Norwood Historical Society invites community members to participate in an exclusive fundraising opportunity to support the preservation of the historic Fred Holland Day House at 93 Day Street.A centerpiece of local heritage and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the English Tudor-style mansion serves as a window into the refined 19th-century lifestyle cultivated by visionary publisher, photographer, and arts patron Fred Holland Day (1864–1933).

Originally constructed in 1859 in the Second Empire style, the structure underwent a dramatic architectural transformation between 1890 and 1892 under Day’s direction and Boston architect J. Williams Beal, blending Victorian elements with English Tudor craftsmanship.Today, the property operates as the headquarters and museum of the Norwood Historical Society, housing exceptional local collections, period furnishings, and rare literary artifacts.

An Unforgettable Evening Awaits

On October 9, 1982, four lucky participants will win the chance to become “a ‘Day’ for a night,” stepping into an immersive 1890s experience that begins with a chauffeured arrival. Highlights of the exclusive evening include:

• A welcome into the tapestried foyer and Victorian parlor for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
• An elegant six-course formal dinner accompanied by strolling violinists performing from the balcony of the three-story Great Hall.
• After-dinner coffee served in Fred Holland Day’s historic upstairs library, complemented by a presentation on the estate’s history and a guided tour.

Preserving Our Architectural Heritage

Proceeds from the drawing will directly benefit the Day House improvement fund to combat weathering and structural wear. Built originally in 1830 and extensively redesigned in the early 1890s by publisher, photographer, and arts patron Fred Holland Day (1864–1933)—known as a prominent figure in Boston’s literary scene and a mentor to artist-poet Kahlil Gibran—the 18-room mansion requires critical preservation work.

According to board member Steven H. Portugal and long-time caretakers Miriam and Charles Lennon, professional architectural estimates indicate that $75,000 is needed just to address urgent repairs on the main house, with an equivalent amount required for the carriage house. Operating entirely on membership dues and donations without government assistance, the historical society faces pressing maintenance costs, including:

• Roof work: $30,000
• Chimney repairs: $7,200
• Window restoration: $9,000
• Stucco repair: $3,200
• Painting and general maintenance: $6,000

Entries for the drawing are available directly at the Day House or by contacting Steven H. Portugal at 769-0529. The winning ticket will be drawn on September 26, offering a rare glimpse into Boston’s literary golden age while directly safeguarding Norwood’s architectural legacy.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger