A Sense of Place

At a historic Beacon Hill townhouse, three new gardens enhance both character and comfort.

By Nancy Ruhling

THE STORIED Nathan Appleton residence, a National Historic Landmark in the Boston neighborhood of Beacon Hill, has a rich history. One of a pair of twin brick townhouses, the four-story residence was built in 1821 for textile manufacturer and U.S. Representative Nathan Appleton, a key financial figure in the industrialization of New England. In 1843, the house was the site of the wedding of his daughter Frances to the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Earlier, the land had been owned by painter John Singleton Copley, who died in 1815. Dan Gordon Landscape Architects was called upon to create three related yet distinctly different gardens that respect the history of the property and enhance its use by today’s 21st-century inhabitants. “From the outset, our goal was to renovate the property for contemporary living while preserving…

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Old House Journal (Digital) - 1 Issue, New Old House 2025

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