The Architecture of the Railroad Suburb by Andrew Saxe
The arrival of the Old Colony line in 1845 transformed Dorchester from a town of farms and estates into a trove of intriguing Victorian residential architecture. Boston’s best architects all executed commissions in Dorchester even as they built the Back Bay. Freed from the strictures of townhouse design, these architects created exuberant displays of their craft. Sadly, nearly all of the grand mansions of Dorchester’s past have fallen, but happily, scores of these Victorian homes have survived and many have enjoyed loving restorations.
Mr. Saxe’s lecture gives historical context to the development of Dorchester, using the Society’s photos of “lost Dorchester” for guidance, but the bulk of lecture is dedicated to the history of extant houses featuring Mr. Saxe’s own, very recent photographs. This talk was given to great reception at the Somerset Club last year. Mr. Saxe has since deepened and expanded it.
The lecture should provide research and insight into the homes we pass every day and deepen our appreciation for this unique American town.