⠀
FOR SALE: 1870s French Victorian; 21 rooms, seven baths; marble fireplaces in both sitting room and elegant dining room; several other reception or living rooms; two-car garage, four landscaped acres. An exceptional value at $100,000. While such a listing would normally only appeal to an undertaker, nursing home operator, or a romantic of considerable means, a young local couple dared to take the leap.
Robert Pegurri, 31, a New England Telephone installer, and his 23-year-old wife, Barbara, recently packed up their belongings from 220 Nahatan St.—where they operated the Colonial Inn rooming house—and moved into 289 Walpole St., the historic estate formerly known as the Cenacle and most recently owned by the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity.
Built originally by a member of the Winslow family, one of Norwood’s prominent industrial dynasties, the imposing French Victorian mansion sits majestically on a knoll overlooking the Disabled American Veterans Memorial Park (Winslow Park). The property previously served as the home of Massachusetts Governor Frank Allen. Though the estate required some cosmetic restoration following a period of vacancy and minor water damage from vandalism after the nuns departed, the structure is fundamentally sound. The home features 200-amp electrical service, a meticulously overhauled oil-fed steam heating system, exquisite gumwood double doors, a creak-proof front staircase, parquet floors, and floor-to-ceiling paneling surrounding a black marble fireplace in the formal dining room.
Bob Pegurri expressed immense enthusiasm for the restoration project, noting his enjoyment of the historic craftsmanship, slate roof, and copper detailing. To help finance the $100,000 purchase, the couple made the difficult concession of selling off two rear lots on the Fisher Street side, though the remaining four acres still boast magnificent copper beech trees and expansive vistas connecting visually with the adjacent Charlwell nursing home grounds and Winslow Park.
Barbara Pegurri has ambitious design plans, including painting front rooms in Wedgwood blue and white to highlight the architectural friezes and eventually pursuing a listing on the national registry of historic places. Looking toward the future, the couple hopes to fill the sprawling home with Bob’s collection of Chinese brass and Barbara’s handcrafted miniature dolls and dollhouses—with plans to eventually build a miniature model of their grand new home.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
-
New Look For An Old Norwood Landmark-This Day in Norwood History-July 31, 2014
⠀ A dilapidated 19th-century Victorian mansion at 46 Pleasant Street in Norwood has been brilliantly restored by owners Jacinta Murphy and Jim Murray, complete with eye-catching lion and unicorn statues.
-
Young Norwood Couple Purchase and Restore Historic “Winslow” Estate-August 9, 1978
Following years of running a local rooming house, 31-year-old telephone installer Robert Pegurri and his wife Barbara purchased and began restoring the historic 21-room French Victorian mansion at 289 Walpole Street.
-
French Victorian “Cenacle” Property Listed for Sale in Norwood-August 19, 1977
Listed for $135,000, the historic Cenacle property at Walpole and Fisher Streets faces uncertain prospects as single-family zoning and high development costs deter prospective buyers.
-
F Holland Day House Now Landmark-May 12, 1977
The Fred Holland Day House has been entered into the National Register of Historic Places, reportedly the first private Norwood property accorded this high level of preservation protection. Announcement of the new status came from the office of State Secretary Paul Guzzi, who is chairman of the Massachusetts Historical Commission and was confirmed locally. Located…
-
Landmark Torn Down-August 13, 1975
DEMOLITION of the old Knights of Columbus building on Washington Street is expected to take two weeks. The building, described as an “old Norwood landmark” by Norwood Police Sgt. William Travers will be torn down for a parking lot to be built by the Union Warren Bank. The building once housed Callahan’s Furniture Store. (Photo…
-
Historic Willard Dean House Destroyed-This Day In Norwood History-February 17, 1942
NORWOOD, Feb. 17—The historic Willard Dean House at Dean and Pleasant sts., built about 1700 and one of the oldest buildings in the town, was razed last night by a fire of undetermined origin. Finding the 1-1/2 story wooden structure enveloped in flames when they arrived, firemen confined their efforts to preventing the blaze from…
-
Work Commenced On Skating Rink At Dean & Route 1-August 12, 1938
Ground was broken at the junction of Route 1 and Dean Street yesterday afternoon for a §40,000 roller-skating rink and bowling alley which will be operated by the Santoro brothers who live in the dwelling located at the corner of the above named highways. Charles Santoro, in making the announcement, stated that the structure will…
-
“Old Tavern”, Norwood House Relocated-This Day in Norwood History- August 30, 1913
Paul Ellis’ tavern, situated on the Norfolk and Bristol Turnpike between Boston to Providence (now Washington st), brought stagecoach passengers and their drivers to his door and tap room regularly. A large hook on a post in front of the tavern allowed drivers to throw their reigns over easily when they arrived and also became…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.