The cover is a watercolor by Peggy Godfrey of the stately mansion and home of the Wilbur F. Young family at 734 Longmeadow Street on the Green.

Former residents on this site were Roderick Burt, Edward Cordis, F. T. Robinson (Mrs. Douglas Wallace's father, John Robinson, was born here in 1865), and Reverend Samuel Wolcott.

George Brewer was owner of this house before it was sold in 1922 to Mary Ida Young. She was the widow of Wilbur F. Young, founder of the Absorbine manufacturer.

There were 18 acres of land sloping to the Meadows. The estate was a preserve for Mary Ida Young's beloved animals. She raised the only Black Persian Sheep in New England at that time, together with peacocks, horses, chickens, cows and raccoons.

From the former dark color, Mary Ida Young had the house painted white.  Inside, she built a greenhouse where her beautiful orchids were grown.  Her home was noted for its many charitable garden parties. Following her death, the estate went to her daughter, Sally Fenelon Young, who gave it to her nephew, Wilbur F. Young, III, the present owner.

This distinctive house has a gambrel roof and two-story Ionic columns. There are three fireplaces in the home.  One is in the "minister's parlor", one in the dining room and one in the ballroom-living room. All floors are hardwood. Wrought-iron work decorates the glass doors.  There are three large master bedrooms on the second floor.

The Young family has now donated their meadowland property for conservation purposes.

/s/ Peggy Leete Godfrey