He invited prominent figures like historian Walter Muir Whitehill to speak at TJH, and in every way encouraged research into Newton s history. Mr. Alexander s unflagging efforts on the part of TJH deserve to be remembered with respect and gratitude. Under her aegis the Children s History Classes won an award from the American Association for State and Local History, a volunteer organization called The Friends of TJH was formed, and a part-time secretary was hired to assist the director. This added expenditure had to be authorized by the city fathers and the fact that it was authorized reflects a growing commitment to TJH by city hall. In those years the house was open to visitors for four hours during the week, and for open house on various Sundays, but was closed in July and August.
Historic houses hold an almost magical fascination for their visitors.
Since nearly all of us experience living in some type of domicile, other people s houses offer a seemingly straightforward conduit to insight into other times and other lives. By immersing ourselves in the living space of bygone days we feel that we are sharing the perceptions of people long dead. Since members of that family occupied the house from 1809, when it was built, into the 20th century, there was a good deal of leeway in what might have furnished the house in those hundred years. Everyone who loved TJH as a house museum has our complete sympathy. It looked charming, and the comforting idea of a large, harmonious family going about its life in this sunny house had great appeal.