A slice of American art history is up for grabs in Needham, as the former home of iconic painter and illustrator, N.C. Wyeth, renowned for works such as "Christmas Morning" and "Paul Revere," has been placed on the market. Born adjacent to this 5,232-square-foot residence, Wyeth would later purchase the home at 178 South St. in his adulthood, as reported by Boston.com. This storied abode, which has witnessed the congregation of literary figures including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, is now seeking a new proprietor.
Listed for $2.7 million, the property comes with history-laden walls featuring original wide-plank floors and wainscoting, not to forget the six wood-burning hearths within, Linda Bean, the late L.L. Bean scion, had aimed to transform the space into a research library before her untimely demise; her efforts were cut short when she could not endow her vision with necessary funds, which has led the N.C. Wyeth Research Foundation and Reading Libraries to put the house up for sale as a means to finance other properties associated with Wyeth in Chadds Ford, Pa., and Port Clyde, Maine.
The home is ADA compliant, complete with an elevator that services both the main and upper levels, and its kitchen is renovated with high-end Viking and Fisher & Paykel appliances, as noted by Zillow.com. Among other amenities, it has an air-conditioned artist’s studio, offering an independent space for creative activities.
Michael Niden, the real estate agent overseeing the sale, conveyed, "It’s incredible to live in a place with such rich artistic and historical significance," according to Boston.com. The home, established in 1776 and a stop on the Underground Railroad, stands as a testament to early American architecture and history. Its flagstone terrace offers views of over 1.25 acres of verdant, pastoral land along the Charles River, a setting that once inspired both master illustrator N.C. Wyeth and poet Longfellow.
