Guided Tour of the Ayer Mansion

 In conjunction with the Boston Preservation Alliance, the city’s primary organization for historic preservation advocacy and education, members of the Algonquin Club are invited to a guided tour of the remarkably unique and palatial Frederick Ayer Mansion at 395 Commonwealth Avenue on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, led by its Preservation Advisor, Jeanne Pelletier. 

The Ayer Mansion was designed by the legendary designer in glass, Louis Comfort Tiffany, for distinguished Algonquin Club member and business tycoon Frederick Ayer and his young actress bride Ellen Banning Ayer.  As such, it is the only surviving example of a residence (or any other structure) designed inside and out by Tiffany.  The only other instance was Laurelton Hall, Tiffany’s own 84-room residence, which was destroyed by fire in 1957. The Ayer Mansion, built from 1899 to 1902, was convention-breaking in its time for the use of light granite trimmed in limestone for the assertive off-center bowed exterior with its mosaic- banded smooth surfaces and unadorned fenestration and, within the opulent interior, elaborate glass and stone mosaic decoration, graceful metalwork, custom furniture, highly theatrical room and staircase designs, architectural flourishes and, of course, signature Tiffany glass windows.  The Ayer Mansion was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2005 and received a Save America’s Treasures grant in 2009. 

 The $10/person tour charge is payable at the Ayer Mansion to BPA (but will be waived for anyone who is or becomes a member of the BPA.)5:30 p.m. – tour commencement at the Ayer Mansion

$30/person, plus house charge and tax, not including $10 tour charge payable at Ayer Mansion

(space will be limited on the tour)

Contact Ruth for reservations at (617) 266-2400 or ruth@algonquinclub.com.