History
The house on Cottage Street stands in the Green Hill National Historic District, near the home of Frederick Law Olmsted, the great landscape architect who was Richardson's close friend and frequent collaborator. The house not only sustained Richardson's draftsmen and family but also served as a center of Boston culture. From here, Richardson produced some of his best-known work, including Harvard University's Sever Hall, the New York State Capitol, Albany City Hall, the Allegheny County Courthouse and Jail in Pittsburgh, the William Watts Sherman House in Newport and the Glessner House in Chicago. The architectural details that Richardson added to his house indicate that Richardson used his home as a design laboratory to experiment with features he later incorporated into projects for his clients. Richardson is the only American architect to have a style named for him: "Richardsonian Romanesque," which swept the country in the late 19th century and was also widely copied in Europe.
Threat
Richardson's house has reached a critical point in its history and could be sold immediately as a teardown. The owner, whose financial stake in the property dates to 2000, continues to offer the house for sale with preservation restrictions - but has indicated that he may lift the restrictions after so many years without a sale, paving the way for a buyer to come along and demolish the Richardson house. In addition, deferred maintenance has led to rot in some floor supports and columns, and the Richardson bedroom has experienced severe water damage.
Solution
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has joined a number of local preservation groups that have been working diligently to save the H.H. Richardson House by seeking a buyer who will preserve the architect's legacy. In addition to its use as a residence, supporters believe that the home could be used by a nonprofit organization or foundation as office space or serve as an academic study center. All agree that national attention will increase the likelihood of finding a buyer who can save the house from demolition and provide the level of conscientious stewardship it needs and deserves.
