Years ago I spent many moons in Gloucester, Massachusetts. My mother found the historic sleepy town while visiting me after I graduated from college and moved to Boston. She instantly fell in love with Gloucester and the surrounding areas- the marshes and topography reminded her of growing up in Seaford, Long Island. She loved it so much that she uprooted her life and moved to the artist colony in Gloucester called Cape Ann. She bought a beautiful one story cottage that was owned by a former sea captain, painted the shutters pink, and became an avid gardener. She even joined the garden tour. It was picturesque. She boasted ocean views in two directions from the house and garden. Cape Ann is a unique enclave filled with working artists in-residence with galleries showcasing their work all dotting the rocky coast. There's quirky architecture a stone's throw to the beautiful beaches. When I visited, she would take us enthusiastically to visit the beaches, small museums and we'd drive around for hours exploring the communities on the ocean and marsh. She lived there for over fifteen years.
Right around the corner from where she lived was the Beauport Museum (Sleeper-Mcann House), a National Historic Landmark. It was the former summer home of interior designer Henry Davis Sleeper in the 20th century. At the time when I would visit (about fifteen years ago), the house was a bit run down but beautiful nevertheless. You could feel the rich history in every nook and cranny while touring the house. It is located in a rare gated community called Eastern Point overlooking the Gloucester Harbor. It's obvious from touring the house, that Sleeper did quite a bit of entertaining here as evidenced from his collections of Folk Art, tabletop China and antique collections throughout the home. But, what I remember most of all is the beautiful colored glass lining many of the window sills. From ruby red, to rich cobalt blue to smoky amber- Sleeper's love for colored glass sparked my own passion for it today. At the time I was in design school at Parsons, and had a growing interest in the history of decorative arts. Every time I visited, I insisted we head over to the Beauport museum. I longed to know more about the history of this man and his home set in this unlikely small beach town in New England.
Legend has it, Henry Sleeper made his way to a dinner party in 1906 and that is how he discovered Cape Ann. He came from a well regarded family in Boston, and the Eastern Point (which had been created by wealthy Bostonians back in the late 1800s) felt like a perfect place for a beach retreat. Sleeper soon built a small house calling it "Little Beauport" after French explorer Samuel de Champlain. He joined a group of intellectuals and artists in Eastern Point who referred to themselves as "Dabsville". He soon became interested in architectural salvage and bought up an eighteen century farmhouse in nearby Essex, adding it to his home which became quite a regal estate.
There is quite a bit of decorative art history in Gloucester, and I'll return soon with more. In the meantime, with the weather getting warmer in New England soon, you may want to visit the home which will be open for public for tours. You can visit the Museum from June 1 through October 15 at 75 Eastern Point Boulevard in Gloucester. I am thankful for my days meandering the Beauport Museum because it ignited my love for colored glass!
Happy Nesting
XO Tamara
