Save the McGinley Estate & Gardens in Milton
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Please help us save a special piece of Milton’s history and advocate for responsible development in our community. Concerned residents of Milton earnestly request your support for our preservation efforts to save The McGinley Mansion , located at 582 Blue Hill Avenue, from the proposed destruction of this historical gilded-era property and its award winning gardens designed by famed, trailblazing landscape architect, Ellen Biddle Shipman. The proposed development to replace this architectural time piece calls for a 118 unit building with 176 parking spaces.
The McGinley Mansion was designed in 1925 by Henry Ford Bigelow and Phillip Wadsworth of the Boston firm Bigelow & Wadsworth, premier architects of their time. Both Bigelow and Wadsworth were residents of Milton and nearby neighbors to the McGinley family, making this mansion a particularly personal effort. Together, some of their work includes the Boston Athenaeum (designated as a National Historic Landmark) and George R. White’s magnificent Lilliothea in Manchester-by-the-Sea, where they partnered with the Olmsted brothers as landscape architects for this spectacular estate.
Bigelow and Wadsworth’s partnership with Ellen Biddle Shipman as landscape architect for the McGinley Mansion marks a historic partnership as well, as Ms. Shipman was one of the earliest female landscape architects of significance and a trailblazer for generations of landscape architects that followed. As a fierce advocate for women, Ms. Shipman was said to have hired only women as they embarked upon their careers after graduation from nearby Lowthorpe Department of Landscape Architecture (since acquired by Rhode Island School of Design). Ms Shipmans work can be found up and down the east coast, and many of her gardens are located on sites included on the National Registry of Historic Estates. Described as being at the ‘zenith of her career’ when she designed the award winning gardens of the McGinley estate , Ms. Shipman’s work here is also historic for her collaboration with Edith Schryver as part of the design process. Ms. Schryver went on to form one of the first women-run West Coast landscape architecture firms. As one publication states, “Given its strong connection to these pioneering designers, the McGinley Garden’s pedigree is particularly rich and significant for the history of landscape architecture.”
Despite vigorous opposition from numerous historical societies, including Historic New England, the Milton Historical Commission, Preservation Massachusetts, Society of Architectural Historians and the nationally-based Cultural Landscape Foundation, the developer (Comprehensive Land Holdings, LLC), is moving forward with their plans to raze this historical property to the ground, replacing it with a 118 unit apartment building which sits upon a parking structure for 176. The developers’ plans not only destroy important historical elements of our town, but they also exploit the boundaries of responsible development and represent a drastic departure from the character of the neighborhood. As proposed, the development will rise almost 5 stories high (100’), including a 30' retaining wall. There is limited green space and recreational use for occupants. The lack of sidewalks and any amenities that high density developments are expected to adhere to (schools, public transportation, shopping) result in car dependent development. This creates unnecessary safety and traffic concerns that result from a single egress development.
We need an attorney to represent us. As neighbors and town residents we deserve to be heard during the Zoning Board of Appeals meetings. We need a unifying voice to represent our own interests and oppose this application for 582 Blue Hill Ave as currently designed. We are seeking donations to fund the legal counsel of Dan Hill, from Hill Law. Dan specializes in environmental law and land use development. His 21 years of experience in this realm is exactly what we need to represent our independent voices. Your support in our overall mission for historical preservation & appropriate residential development is greatly appreciated. Please contribute what you are able.
Thank You,
Vose Hill Neighborhood Association
The McGinley Mansion was designed in 1925 by Henry Ford Bigelow and Phillip Wadsworth of the Boston firm Bigelow & Wadsworth, premier architects of their time. Both Bigelow and Wadsworth were residents of Milton and nearby neighbors to the McGinley family, making this mansion a particularly personal effort. Together, some of their work includes the Boston Athenaeum (designated as a National Historic Landmark) and George R. White’s magnificent Lilliothea in Manchester-by-the-Sea, where they partnered with the Olmsted brothers as landscape architects for this spectacular estate.
Bigelow and Wadsworth’s partnership with Ellen Biddle Shipman as landscape architect for the McGinley Mansion marks a historic partnership as well, as Ms. Shipman was one of the earliest female landscape architects of significance and a trailblazer for generations of landscape architects that followed. As a fierce advocate for women, Ms. Shipman was said to have hired only women as they embarked upon their careers after graduation from nearby Lowthorpe Department of Landscape Architecture (since acquired by Rhode Island School of Design). Ms Shipmans work can be found up and down the east coast, and many of her gardens are located on sites included on the National Registry of Historic Estates. Described as being at the ‘zenith of her career’ when she designed the award winning gardens of the McGinley estate , Ms. Shipman’s work here is also historic for her collaboration with Edith Schryver as part of the design process. Ms. Schryver went on to form one of the first women-run West Coast landscape architecture firms. As one publication states, “Given its strong connection to these pioneering designers, the McGinley Garden’s pedigree is particularly rich and significant for the history of landscape architecture.”
Despite vigorous opposition from numerous historical societies, including Historic New England, the Milton Historical Commission, Preservation Massachusetts, Society of Architectural Historians and the nationally-based Cultural Landscape Foundation, the developer (Comprehensive Land Holdings, LLC), is moving forward with their plans to raze this historical property to the ground, replacing it with a 118 unit apartment building which sits upon a parking structure for 176. The developers’ plans not only destroy important historical elements of our town, but they also exploit the boundaries of responsible development and represent a drastic departure from the character of the neighborhood. As proposed, the development will rise almost 5 stories high (100’), including a 30' retaining wall. There is limited green space and recreational use for occupants. The lack of sidewalks and any amenities that high density developments are expected to adhere to (schools, public transportation, shopping) result in car dependent development. This creates unnecessary safety and traffic concerns that result from a single egress development.
We need an attorney to represent us. As neighbors and town residents we deserve to be heard during the Zoning Board of Appeals meetings. We need a unifying voice to represent our own interests and oppose this application for 582 Blue Hill Ave as currently designed. We are seeking donations to fund the legal counsel of Dan Hill, from Hill Law. Dan specializes in environmental law and land use development. His 21 years of experience in this realm is exactly what we need to represent our independent voices. Your support in our overall mission for historical preservation & appropriate residential development is greatly appreciated. Please contribute what you are able.
Thank You,
Vose Hill Neighborhood Association
Organizer
Vose Hill Neighborhood Association
Organizer
Milton, MA
