Governor Oliver Ames Estate, Easton, MA - The Trustees of Reservations

Governor Oliver Ames Estate, Easton, MA - The Trustees of Reservations
South of Boston
Governor Oliver Ames Estate
Easton
36 acres
Explore a piece of Massachusetts history on this bucolic estate, first settled by Oliver Ames, Governor of the Commonwealth in the late 19th century.
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Plan Your Visit
Overview
Ideas for Your Visit
Admission & Hours
Directions & Contact Info
What You'll Find
Facilities & Accessibility
Venue Rental
Property Map
Regulations & Advisories
Overview
Arriving in Easton in the early 19th century, the Ames family earned national renown through a shovel manufacturing company that supplied tools for the Civil War and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. The property on Oliver Street was home to Oliver Ames, who served as Massachusetts’ 35th governor, from 1887 to 1890.
The Trustees’ connections with the family go back to the organization’s inception: it was founded in the Boston offices of Frederick Lothrop Ames, the builder of the Langwater Estate and the cousin of Governor Ames. Now, in the heart of the North Easton National Historic District, the cultural legacies of the Ames family live on at the 36-acre estate.
Ideas for Your Visit
Take a leisurely exploration of the sweeping arboretum-style lawns, the elegant 19th-century stone stable, an agricultural field, meadows, brook, garden pond, and other features. Unfurl a blanket for a picnic with friends, examine the centuries-old trees dotting the property, and extend the day with side trips to the Easton Historical Society and Easton Children’s Museum.
Admission & Hours
FREE to all.
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.
Directions & Contact Info
35 Oliver St.
Easton, MA 02356
Get directions on Google Maps.
From Rt. 93: Take Rt. 93 to Rt. 24 South. Take exit 33B to merge onto Rt. 123 West/ Belmont Street toward Easton. Follow for 1.6 mi. Turn right onto Rt. 138 North/Washington Street. Follow for 1.2 mi. and turn left onto Main Street. Follow for 0.8 mi. and turn right onto Sullivan Ave. Follow for 0.1 mi. and continue onto Mechanic Street for 0.1 mi. Turn right onto Oliver Street, take first left to stay on Oliver Street. Parking will be on right.
What You'll Find
New Garden Explorer Tool
Uncover the horticultural richness of the Ames Estate using the
new Garden Explorer tool
! This free online portal provides in-depth access to the public garden’s entire plant collection. Search for its common or botanical name, browse an alphabetical list, or pinpoint each plant’s location on an interactive map.
Explore the Garden
The designed landscape at The Governor Ames Estate was laid out by Governor Oliver Ames and his son Oakes between the period of 1860 and 1910. It was designed in a style that evoked an idyllic, naturalistic setting and an enhanced interpretation of nature. The site’s natural resources were carefully manipulated and artfully developed to provide a setting, separated from, but adjacent to, the industrial village and mills that produced the financial means necessary to create the estate. Today the property is managed as a landscaped arboretum, one of our public garden properties.
The property’s English Landscape School design style is typically associated with English country estate parkland of the 18th century and became increasingly popular in the late 19th century in the United States for public parks and private estate design through the influence of Frederick Law Olmsted, Andrew Jackson Downing, and others.
Some of the key elements of the design include densely planted property borders that screen out nearby distractions and create a sense of serenity. The boundary screening does not, however, completely envelope the landscape. Instead, the village center, mill pond, and neighboring 19th-century buildings create scenic vistas, particularly from the primary views of the former house (now the tent site) that visually and philosophically link the estate with the village center and the industrial complex that raised the family’s economic success.
This is a landscape to be experienced, with views and vistas that change with each turn of the path. Elements within the landscape, both natural and cultural, are arranged to piqué interest, encourage exploration, and enhance a pleasurable tour. Utilitarian spaces (agricultural fields, mill village, staff quarters, barns, and sheds) flow effortlessly in and out of the views in an arrangement that blurs the lines between form and function.
Facilities & Accessibility
This property offers accessible parking spots and wheelchair-friendly trails.
Venue Rental
If you would like to book the tent and/or the carriage house for your event, please contact
ames@thetrustees.org
Property Map
A trail map is posted on the bulletin board. We recommend that you
download a trail map
before you visit.
Regulations & Advisories
Regulations & Advisories
We hope you enjoy your visit. For your safety, and to help protect this unique resource, we ask that you please comply with the following regulations:
Please respect the tranquility of this park and others’ enjoyment of their visit here.
Dogs are welcome, but on-leash only.
Governor Oliver Ames Estate is open from sunrise to sunset. Entering or returning to the property after that time is prohibited.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Permits are required for portrait photography sessions at Governor Oliver Ames Estate. Photographers or their clients must be full Trustees Members to purchase
portrait session permits
at this property.
Learn more about purchasing a portrait session permit.
The following are prohibited at the estate:
Consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages
Fires, camping, littering or dumping
Motorized vehicles (except for authorized management purposes)
Golfing
Cutting or removing vegetation
Disturbing, removing, defacing, cutting, or otherwise causing damage to a natural feature, sign, poster, barrier, building, or other property in the estate
Hunting is not permitted at this reservation.
Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties
Before Setting Out
Prior to Setting Out
A few things to keep in mind before your adventure begins.
Hike Trustees
The Trustees Hiking Challenge: With over 100 places and hundreds of miles of trails to explore, join our free challenge to get you hiking and exploring M...
Guidelines for Dog Walkers
Trustees properties that allow on-leash or off-leash dogs, as well as guidelines when walking your dog.
More to Explore
Historic Houses
From the Colonial Era to the Modern Movement, our historic homes represent architecture, design, and history that spans more than 300 years.
Cultural Landscapes
In Massachusetts, people and the land are of each other, inextricably woven together to form the tapestry of our long history together.
Visit Our Public Gardens
Experience our unique public gardens.
Garden Explorer
Uncover the horticultural richness of the Ames Estate using the new Garden Explorer tool! This free online portal provides in-depth access to the public garden’s entire plant collection. Search for its common or botanical name, browse an alphabetical list, or pinpoint each plant’s location on an interactive map.
Access the Portal
Upcoming Events
View more
Friday, April 24
Friday, April 24
Tree ID Walk at Haskell Public Gardens
Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens | New Bedford
Participate in the Greater New Bedford City Nature Challenge by spotting and photographing wildlife at Haskell Public Gardens!
Friday, April 24
Friday, April 24
Tree ID Walk on the Tattapanum Trail
Tattapanum Trail | Fall River
Participate in the Greater Fall River City Nature Challenge by spotting and photographing wildlife on the Tattapanum Trail!
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, April 25
Open Barnyard at Weir River Farm
Weir River Farm | Hingham
Join us for a barnyard adventure!
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, April 25
Sheep Stroll at Weir River Farm
Weir River Farm | Hingham
Walk alongside our friendly flock as we explore the farm’s beautiful trails, taking in the sights and sounds of the outdoors.
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, April 25
Family Farm Chores at Weir River Farm
Weir River Farm | Hingham
Help with morning chores at Weir River Farm!
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, April 25
Turtles, Tadpoles and More! on the Quequechan River Rail Trail
Britland Park | Fall River
Participate in the Greater Fall River City Nature Challenge by spotting and photographing wildlife on the Quequechan River!
History
This meandering property is a stone’s throw from the famed Ames shovel factory that supplied tools for the Civil War and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, among other important American events. The Ames’ family influence is still very much evident in the town of Easton. Their name graces the town library and high school, as well as the imposing Oakes Ames Memorial Hall, one of five Henry Hobson Richardson-designed structures in North Easton village.
The View From Here
See What People Say
This is a great place for walking the dog, or having a picnic either on a blanket on the lawn or using one of the many picnic tables along the shore of the pond.
Darryl Hill, Local guide
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