Beauport: A Dream Realized 

An illustrated lecture by Mary C. Woodward, Historic New England Guide

Beauport is the evocative name for a wondrous confection of a house dreamed of and brought to reality by Henry Davis Sleeper. He was one of America’s first interior designers, Massachusetts-born and self-taught. Beauport was begun in 1907 and would probably still be in a state of redesign and expansion if it weren’t for his death in 1934. It’s hard to place the style of the house into any one category. Built on Eastern Point, near Gloucester, MA, it began as a somewhat modest, seaside cottage the way that those houses in Newport Rhode Island are called “cottages.” ...it began as a 26-room home for Sleeper and his mother. But it didn’t stay that size or shape for long and grew to what you will see today, over 40-rooms to display his collections, entertain his guests and provide a comfortable summer home for his family. Sleeper was enamored of America’s Colonial past as well as Asian art and English Medieval art. And they all find a home in his home at Beauport.

Mary C. Woodward has spent more than 40 years in the museum and historic home business, having earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees in Art History. She has worked at large, comprehensive collections such as the Cleveland Museum of Art and tiny properties like the 17th century log cabin that was the birthplace of President James K. Polk. Each opportunity has been an interesting and memorable experience. Since moving to Massachusetts in 2010, Mary has worked at The Old Manse in Concord, MA, the Concord Museum and now Historic New England, previously at the Gropius House in Lincoln and currently as Lead Guide at the Winslow Crocker House in Yarmouth Port. For six years, she established and managed the Gallery at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts, an exhibition space for local artists. Current, Mary is the Vice President of the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth and the Collections Management Chair, overseeing the Society’s 19th century sea captain’s house and it’s collection. In the last few years, she’s enjoyed taking art history talks on the road to various libraries and retirement communities. When she’s not at work, she’s in her yard, pretending to garden.

Publications:

Curtis, Nancy and Nylander, Richard C. Beauport: The Sleeper-McCann House. Boston: SPNEA, 1990

Nylander, Richard C. Wallpaper in New England. Boston: SPNEA, 1986.

Stern, Robert A. M. Pride of Place: Building the American Dream. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1986.

Websites:

sites.udel.edu “From Beauport to Winterthur” by Emelie Gevalt, 2016

historicnewengland.org