Windows on the Past: Four Centuries of New England Homes [Hardcover]

Viera (Author), Jane C. Nylander (Author), Wendell Garrett (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

The Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA) is the American organization which operates 33 house museums in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The sites, ranging from a 1650 farmhouse to architect Walter Gropius' streamlined 1937 glass house, provide an opportunity to trace the history of one of America's most distinctive regions over the past four centuries, beginning with some of the earliest colonial settlements. This book showcases the Society's houses and evokes life in New England's past. Over 225 illustrations are included, culled from SPNEA's archive of over one million photographs, but many have also been taken especially for this book. The text opens the doors to some of America's most historic and engaging buildings and broadens appreciation of the benefits of preserving the past to enrich modern life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Since it was established in 1910 to protect New England's cultural and architectural heritage, The Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities has become a major museum. Jane Nylander is president of the society and the author of several books on the decorative arts.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch; 1st edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821224832
• ISBN-13: 978-0821224830
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,525,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Window Into the Past, July 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Windows on the Past: Four Centuries of New England Homes (Hardcover)

Images that come to mind when one thinks of New England are rough landscapes, Tiny shingled farm houses and patriots fighting for freedom. But New England history does not stop there. In this book you will see a wide varity of styles that span four hundred years of our countries history, from the 1600s, to the 1940s. A great book to own.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read, August 24, 2005

By 

M.G. Massachusetts (New Bedford, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows on the Past: Four Centuries of New England Homes (Hardcover)

For those of you that like historic New England Homes, this is for you!

Even if you are not an actual historic home buff, this book is an easy read and it is interesting. If that does not tempt you then consider the excellent photography within its pages at a minimum.

This was a 45.00 book new and I was lucky to get if for less than 8.00 new at the Christmas Tree Shops here in Massachusetts. You can get some new copies at the vendors above for a similar price. This book was well worth the retail price when it was new. The book is by Historic New England (formerly The Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities.)