As the sounds of traffic fade driving up the gravel road to Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens you’re greeted by lush fields of grass and blooming flowers, fitting as one of 12 Trustees Public Gardens. Yet tucked into the heart of this flourishing landscape sits a home whose rich history—central to the narrative of this special place—is shared with visitors through guided house tours.

“This is such an amazing place, with so many diverse garden ‘rooms’ to enjoy,” said Pilar Garro, Trustees Property Director of Long Hill and Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens. “But my favorite part is the historic home, especially the elaborate entry hall mural.”

This mural—and most of the estate’s interior—was not available to visitors for decades once the property came under Trustees care. It wasn’t until 2022, after years spent cataloging the extensive collection left in the home and restoring its interior, that the doors were finally reopened with the help of House Interpreters like Vanessa Parminger.

Meet Vanessa Parminger

Around this time, Parminger joined The Trustees having moved up from New York City to be closer to family. She was looking for ways to meet new people in her community and her son—a Trustees Member—suggested searching for opportunities with the organization. Now, she’s part of a spirited team of interpreters at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens.

“All of us have a passion for history and gardens,” said Parminger. “And now we get to share that passion with those who take our House Tours, which are currently one of the only ways to get inside the home.”

Weaving your way through a few of the gardens, Parminger explains the history of how the estate was once a homestead before Helen and John Stevens-Coolidge inherited it. Gardens were moved and new ones erected to fit Helen Stevens’ vision and a lifestyle fitting the wealthy Boston elite John Gardner Coolidge.

“You can spend hours looking through the gardens and exploring every aspect,” said Parminger. “But it’s the historic home that’s the integral part of the property.”

The interior—recreated to be period-accurate based on historic photographs—is a diverse array of Asian artifacts mixed with American furniture and European decorative arts. It reflects the travels of John who served as a diplomat in Pretoria, Mexico, Nicaragua, Europe, and Asia. Every item is original to the couple and beautifully conserved.

“I always remind visitors that this was Helen and John’s home, so they displayed what made them happy,” said Parminger.

The stop in the Smoking Room during the house tour is what makes Parminger happy. She likes to imagine sitting in one of the large leather chairs during the evening, the fireplace roaring, surrounded by great company in a cozy atmosphere.

“The home was a dormant sleeping beauty,” said Parminger. “When you step into it today, you get to go back in time.”

Plan your time-traveling trip to Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens in North Andover before summer runs out! Admission is free but programs including the House Tours are ticketed.