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Fifty-Five years ago, Mary Ida Young passed away. She died at home , located at 734 Longmeadow Street at the age of 95. In 1959 she had fallen and was recuperating in her residence for a year or so. Although married four times, it was her second husband who had the Young name, which she retained after her last mate died. I bet she is rolling over in her grave these days. I hate to think of her watching from the clouds as her beautiful mansion falls apart. So much for heavenly rest.The colonial revival Victorian masterpiece, built in 1884, is deteriorating before our eyes. Looking sadder and more lonely each day, our town leaders are trying to resolve the situation. Who can we contact? The National Trust for Historic Preservation or the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities should come here and save this mansion, but even our local Longmeadow Historic District seems unable to take action in a complicated legal situation involving foreclosure. Now owned by a bank, we hope and pray for an angel to restore the home to its former grandeur and glory. This significant local architectural wonder was recently featured in an article in the Springfield Republican. People are taking interest and it’s a topic of conversation in town.
The Wood Museum of Springfield History is a special repository of historic documents and images. At the Longmeadow Historical Society’s booth during the Long Meddowe Days weekend celebration, I first gazed at some impressive images displayed of the Young House. Some of the photographs are illustrated here, showing the grounds and interior.
Mary Ida lived there from 1922 to 1960 as wife of the inventor of Absorbine Jr. The liniment was initially created for horses, and she was a horse lover. She had a racetrack behind her home in the meadows near the river in the area now home to the Interstate I-91. The event grounds and house provided an elegant backdrop for fundraisers, parties, benefits and various special gatherings. Her obituary describes teas, dances and bridge parties occurring at her home over the years. As a gardener she tended to orchids in her greenhouse and also owned many animals. In addition to her horses, at various times she owned deer, raccoons, peacocks, geese, swans, doves, turkeys, chicken, pheasants, dogs and sheep. She helped establish the first Republican Club in Springfield and attended Springfield’s Trinity Methodist Church each Sunday driven in a horse drawn carriage.
After her death, her grandson and his wife and family moved into the imposing residence despite concerns that the estate might be sub-divided into a development. The traffic had lessened at this point in time because the meadows was now bisected by the new highway. Cars and trucks no longer needed to come directly through town, enroute to Springfield and the north-south corridor.
The condition of this historic structure is of great concern, especially after such a bitterly cold winter. Many older homes need special upkeep and caring for them could make them less desirable to potential buyers who lack vision. It takes a special person, with an appreciation of history, to responsibly restore and renovate such a home. Let’s hope it‘s not too late for the Young house. The place is a gem, and its central location on the town green makes it a prominent landmark for future generations…if it lasts!
submitted by Betsy Huber Port
2 comments:
I agree, the condition of the Brewer Young Mansion is disheartening. Anyone who looks at this property can easily see the neglect that continues to take place, however, there is another tragic element of neglect on this property which, for the most part, is hidden from view. There is a koi fish pond on the property that holds about 12 beautiful koi fish that are all about 12" - 20" long tucked away in the far corner of the yard. The water is so muddy and dark that you can only view the fish if they swim close enough to the surface. I see no evidence of this pond's water being filtered to keep it clean and safe for the fish. Since the warm weather began, I have only witnessed the fish being fed once. Then a few days ago I noticed that the pump that circulates the water had been shut off. Now the water is stagnant save for one garden hose that has water trickling from it into the pond. Stagnant water such as this will only serve to become a breeding ground for Mosquitos, promote algae growth, and cause a slow, miserable death for the fish.
I have been very insistent knocking on both the front and side doors, and ringing the bells, at the mansion several times since the circulation pump was shut off. However, even though there are cars parked in the driveway, no one ever answers the door. I have reported this to the MSPCA legal abuse line, but there is no evidence so far of anything being done about the state of the pond or the fish. I also went to the LPD to report this situation but was told that no one was going to knock on the mansion door and tell the guy living inside to feed the fish. When I stated that the fish would begin to die, shoulders were shrugged back at me. I even wrote to the Springfield Republican , that published an article about this property just last month, but as of yet, have heard nothing back from them.
I do not claim to know the monetary value of these particular fish, but koi fish are considered as "jewels" of the pond and are highly regarded by many. They can have an extremely high value, and they are lovely, docile fish that can live for 20 - 30 years. No matter their value, they do not deserve to be abandoned in this dirty little pond. This sad situation on the property only magnifies the tragic state of neglect that is taking place on this once magnificent estate. I wonder when someone will step forward to do something to revive the fish, the house, and the property.
I agree, the condition of the Brewer Young Mansion is disheartening. Anyone who looks at this property can easily see the neglect that continues to take place, however, there is another tragic element of neglect on this property which, for the most part, is hidden from view. There is a koi fish pond on the property that holds about 12 beautiful koi fish that are all about 12" - 20" long tucked away in the far corner of the yard. The water is so muddy and dark that you can only view the fish if they swim close enough to the surface. I see no evidence of this pond's water being filtered to keep it clean and safe for the fish. Since the warm weather began, I have only witnessed the fish being fed once. Then a few days ago I noticed that the pump that circulates the water had been shut off. Now the water is stagnant save for one garden hose that has water trickling from it into the pond. Stagnant water such as this will only serve to become a breeding ground for Mosquitos, promote algae growth, and cause a slow, miserable death for the fish.
I have been very insistent knocking on both the front and side doors, and ringing the bells, at the mansion several times since the circulation pump was shut off. However, even though there are cars parked in the driveway, no one ever answers the door. I have reported this to the MSPCA legal abuse line, but there is no evidence so far of anything being done about the state of the pond or the fish. I also went to the LPD to report this situation but was told that no one was going to knock on the mansion door and tell the guy living inside to feed the fish. When I stated that the fish would begin to die, shoulders were shrugged back at me. I even wrote to the Springfield Republican , that published an article about this property just last month, but as of yet, have heard nothing back from them.
I do not claim to know the monetary value of these particular fish, but koi fish are considered as "jewels" of the pond and are highly regarded by many. They can have an extremely high value, and they are lovely, docile fish that can live for 20 - 30 years. No matter their value, they do not deserve to be abandoned in this dirty little pond. This sad situation on the property only magnifies the tragic state of neglect that is taking place on this once magnificent estate. I wonder when someone will step forward to do something to revive the fish, the house, and the property.
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