Seniors Visit “The Town Of Homes”

Belmont, a suburb of Boston, with a population of 25,000, is known to longtime residents as “The Town of Homes”. Belmont is a primarily residential community and senior travelers will find it just 8 miles from downtown Boston.

A small town of about 4.6 square miles, Belmont is an established upscale community with attractive neighborhoods and a fine town center. Belmont has excellent access to metropolitan Boston, Cambridge and Route 2 making it a very desirable place to live.

The Pleasant Street Historic District is an area characterized by mid- to late-19th century single family homes, generally on large lots, as well as Belmont’s principal municipal buildings: its town hall and library. The Town Hall in Belmont is magnificent.

Seniors Find Mansion-Filled Neighborhood

The town was founded by the former citizens of Massachusetts Bay Colony on March 18, 1859. Today it is best known for the mansion-filled  neighborhood, although most residents live in more densely settled, low-lying areas around the Hill.

There are three major commercial centers in the town: Belmont Center, Cushing Square, and Waverley Square. Town Hall and other civic buildings are located in Belmont Center. Due to its proximity to Harvard and MIT universities, amongst others, Belmont has had several Nobel Prize winners in residence at one time or another.

An outstanding residence is the Edwin O. Reischauer Memorial House. It is the former home of the American diplomat and Japanese scholar.

Redtop, also spelled Red Top,  designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971, is a historic Shingle Style house located at 90 Somerset Street. The oldest house in Belmont is Abraham Hill House and well worth a visit.

Seniors Enjoy The Homer House

One mansion that stands out from the many that are in Belmont is the the Homer House located at 661 Pleasant Street. It is said to be one of the finest examples of early residential Victorian design. For the first time in 160 years a Belmont site associated with iconic American artist Winslow Homer (remember him?) will open its doors for regular public tours, according to a press release.

Senior visitors will learn the story behind these early works in the setting that inspired them: Homer’s uncle’s 1853 summer residence. A turn at croquet on the front lawn is included in admission. When’s the last time you played croquet?

The Homer House is a superb example of 19th century construction and detail. The magnificent circular staircase in the grand foyer, with its exquisite artisan work, was likely produced by early Italian immigrant workers. I know my wife would enjoy that visit. Winslow Homer himself lived with his family in a farmhouse nearby.

Belmont Hill School is a prestigious independent boys school located on a 32-acre campus in Belmont. Everywhere you look in this “Town Of Homes”, seniors will find unique homes and unique styles.  Enjoy!  -jeb