The Mansion

The Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center was constructed as a private summer residence for Ethan Allan of New York City. Allan had purchased the 38-acre, 40-room"Rolling Ridge", by which name it was already known, in 1899, and began work on his estate in 1916 though he had summered in North Andover since at least 1906. The entire estate is in the Georgian Revival Style heavily infused with classical Italian proportions and detailing. The original estate buildings, which include the Main House, service wing, and a guest house/garage, are organized in a U shape around a stone paved courtyard which was once graced by a working fountain.

Construction of the Allan estate began in 1916 with the primary focus on the gardens under the direction of landscape designer, Fletcher Steele. Steele devised an ambitious system of gardens, terraces, and lawns embelished by fountains and statuary. The most outstanding feature of the landscape plan survives in the long bowling green which provides a broad vista from the southern facade of the main house to the shore of Lake Cochichewick. While the original landscape plan has not survived its entirety, a significant number of original plantings are extant as well as the overall dimensions of the planted areas.

While Andrew H. Hepburn of Shaw and Hepburn, a Boston architectural firm, began to draw up the plans for the estate buildings in 1916, construction did not begin until 1921. The main estate was essentially completed in 1924 though some work is said to have continued until 1930.

The main house, service wing, and guest house/garage are unified by the consistant use of robust Georgian architectural detail. Such detail includes a rusticated ground floor, ground floor windows set in recessed arches, quoins, massive chimneys, dormers punctuating the steeply pitched roofs, and an overall balance characteristic of the classical style. The original color scheme has been retained with the stuccoed brick walls in pink-gray, white woodwork detail, and blue-green shutters. The southern facade of the main building is enhanced by a deep loggia which looks out to the lake shore. "Sunset Lodge", a large boat/summer house, was constructed around 1916 as part of the overall estate plan, but was destroyed by fire in 1980.

It is said that Mr. Allan never resided in the house and in 1928 it was purchased by Russell Tyson. During Mr. Tyson's ownership the estate received considerable attention in the press including articles in "The Architectural Record" and "House Beautiful".

The estate's architect, Andrew H. Hepburn, was widely admired for his mastery of the Colonial Revival Style and was later chosen to supervise the restoration of Washington's Mt. Vernon as well as Colonial Williamsburg.

In 1948, the Boston General Conference Methodist Committee purchased the estate for $55,000.  A newspaper article estimated that it would cost about one million dollars to reduplicate the estate in 1951.   The cost in today’s dollars would far exceed that amount.
            During the 1948 Consecration of Rolling Ridge Bishop John Wesley Lord stated “Rolling Ridge must serve not only our children and youth but the adults of the conference.  Many will gather here for study, prayer and recreation.  It will provide a place for meetings,   retreats, church planning conferences, seminars and study groups for all ages. As we think about and work for Rolling Ridge, let us pray God that we shall receive the needed support and wisdom to guide this venture to a glorious climax.

The transition from a mansion to a ministry saw the addition of a new dining room, swimming pool and conversion of the garage to a meeting room. With a primary focus on youth, over a half million young have filled the twenty-two bedrooms over years.

In the late 1990's, the focus began to shift from "youth camp" to retreat and Conference Center for all ages, with a primary mission to serve adults hungering for silence, renewal and meaning, and for groups looking for a beautiful and Holy place to meet. A meditation Labyrinth was added in 2002, bunkbeds were removed and new furnishings and historic colors restored. Restorations continue.

For sixty years Rolling Ridge estate has welcomed people to the spacious grounds and historic mansion. Call the office to arrange a tour.