Home Once 'Cultural Hub' Of New England Selling For $900K

HARVARD, MA — An enormous French second empire-style home in Harvard center is up for sale. The home was once a hub for "illustrious" New England families in the late 19th century, according to the listing.

Along with its history, the home has 3,400 square-feet, five bedrooms, and architectural details not common in old New England town centers. Here are the details:

• Address: 8 Ayer Rd, Harvard, Massachusetts
• Price: $895,000
• Square Feet: 3384
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 3 Full and 2 Half Baths
• Built: 1869
• Features: This beautiful five-bedroom historic jewel in the Town of Harvard was originally built in 1869 by George Fletcher in a French Second Empire style. The house was acquired by Emily Hildreth in the 1880s. Hildreth was a devout patron of the arts and soon after acquiring the home, she made various renovations and alterations to accommodate the summer gatherings by some of New England's illustrious families. They included the construction of a two-story entry porch that is open on the first floor with round-headed arches on three sides, rising with solid walls to a screened porch under a low-gabled roof. She affectionately named her home with the purpose of making it the cultural hub of the town. Optimally situated in the historic town center and surrounded by beautiful gardens. The current owners have been stewards of the property for nearly half a century, preserving its many original details.

This listing originally appeared on realtor.com. For more information and photos, click here.