About the Home & Gardens
Built in 1929, 400 Maple Street is historically known as the Clarence Schoo House—the mansion is Springfield’s only example of a French Provincial house and was one of the last large homes to be built in what is now recognized as the Maple Hill Historic District. French Provincial style was popular in the period between the two world wars and is usually reserved for people of wealth. The grandeur of the home translates, too, to its formal gardens.
Nestled behind the grand chateau, the home’s formal French Provincial garden is characterized by its symmetrical and geometric design, meticulous layout, and use of hedges, topiaries, statues, and water features. In the heart of this garden stands a magnificent marble fountain, a centerpiece exuding grace and grandeur. Carved with intricate detail, water cascades from the fountain's tiers into a pristine basin below, creating a serene melody that intermingles with the garden's tranquility. Bluestone pathways guide visitors through meticulously manicured lawns and immaculate parterres adorned with vibrantly colored flowers, including roses, irises, wisteria ,hydrangeas, tulips, echinacea, lavender, and daisies, among many more varieties.
“The plantings of a French Provincial property are usually heavily weighted in evergreens as well as flowers that are blue, purple and white,” Duyette shares. She keeps a garden log book of plantings in the library, tracking how various flora are performing on the estate. Stroll the grounds to see how many you can identify.
The garden epitomizes the elegance and precision associated with the French formal gardening style, showcasing meticulous design elements and an exquisite balance between natural beauty and human craftsmanship.
Support the Springfield Preservation Trust in its mission to preserve and protect properties in Springfield, Massachusetts which have architectural, historic, educational, or general cultural significance—including properties such as this one!—by attending our Annual Garden Party Fundraiser this year!
The 2014 annual SPT Winter Fundraiser was held on Sunday, February 8 at 2 PM. The event was hosted by Dolores B. & Deirdre E. Alton at their Colonial Revival style home at 1166 Worthington Street.
The 2014 Garden Party was held at the spectacular home & garden of Ed Zuckerman in the McKnight Historic District. The house was built in 1888 for Dr. Nathan Adams, who died before its completion. His family, however, lived here for nearly forty years. A subsequent owner was James Gill, president of the Peerless Handcuff Company and police commissioner. The house had become a group home prior to its restoration by Ed and his late partner, Bob Kinder in 1986.
The 2014 Winter Fundraiser was held on Sunday, January 26, at the home of Joseph & Kathleen Pellegrino. Their Atwater Road home was built in 1915 for J.G. Roy at a cost of $8,600. The Arts & Crafts Style home, or “Middle European Country Home” as the original owner called it, was designed by Gardner & Gardner, Springfield’s foremost architectural firm. Gardner & Gardner designed the Worthy Hotel, Technical High School, the Bishop’s Residence on Elliot Street, and many of Springfield’s most prominent buildings of the time. Eugene Gardner was one of the early residences of what was to become Atwater Park and his son George designed more than a dozen homes in the neighborhood.
The 2013 Garden Party Fundraiser was celebrated on Sunday, August 25th, in the Colony Hills section of Forest Park at the beautiful home of Peter & Melissa Picknelly. The Picknelly’s home, situated on a spectacular spot surrounded by Forest Park, was designed in the Tudor Revival style in 1929 by prominent Springfield architect Max Westhoff. Westhoff designed some of Springfield’s grandest homes and public buildings. The event featured live poolside jazz by Premiere Swing, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction with fabulous items. Guests dressed in “Great Gatsby” era attire. Proceeds from the event, silent auction and 50/50 raffle benefited the continuing renovation of 77 Maple Street.
The 2013 Winter Fundraiser was held on Sunday, January 27th, at the home of Stephen & Gayle White. Their Worthington Street home, with its Tudor and Colonial Revival details, was designed by architect G. Wood Taylor, son-in-law to William McKnight, who developed much of the neighborhood with his brother John. Taylor designed houses not only in McKnight but also in Forest Park and Ridgewood. Its first owner was E.M. Coates, a local liquor distributor. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, and nonalcoholic punch was served.
The 2012 Garden Party was held on Sunday, June 24, at the home of John Murray & Carl Standen. Their Longhill Street home was built in 1912 in the Arts & Crafts style and designed by G. Wood Taylor, architect for many fine homes in Forest Park, McKnight, and Ridgewood. The yard and pool, with spectacular views of the Connecticut River Valley, was a wonderful spot to celebrate the beginning of summer! Hors d’oeuvres, wine, and nonalcoholic were served. Many thanks to 
The 2012 Winter Fundraiser was held on Sunday, January 29, at the home of Jim and Linda Craven in their Sumner Avenue Colonial Revival style home. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, and nonalcoholic punch was served. Proceeds from the event benefited the preservation efforts at 77 Maple Street, Springfield’s oldest remaining school building.
The 2011 Garden Party Fundraiser was held on Sunday, August 21, at the home of David Hall on Glen Road. His fabulous 1899 Shingle Style house has a quarter-acre garden in historic McKnight. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, wine, and nonalcoholic refreshments. The event benefited the renovation of the historic Female Seminary at 77 Maple Street, one of the oldest buildings remaining in the city.
The 2011 Winter Fundraiser was held on Sunday, March 6th, at the home of Don Courtemanche on Maple Street. His Victorian Gothic style house was built in 1873 and designed by the noted Boston architectural firm of Ware & Van Brunt and constructed by Chauncey Shepard, one of Springfield’s master builders, at a cost of $25,000. Mrs. Calvin Loomis was its first owner. She soon sold the house to Daniel Wesson, founder of the nationally known gun manufacturing company of Smith & Wesson. The house was subsequently owned by the second and third generations of the Wesson family until the 1930s. Proceeds benefited the continued restoration of 77 Maple Street, Springfield’s oldest school building.
The 2010 Winter Fundraiser was held on Sunday, January 30th, at the fabulous home of Gary & Donna West at their Colonial Revival mansion on Longhill Street overlooking the Connecticut River. The event was one of the most successful fundraisers SPT has held. Over 130 guests attended and enjoyed a nice evening in a spectacular location. The funds raised from the event went towards the restoration of 77 Maple Street.