The estate of Matthew Whittall was divided equally between his wife and his son and daughter. In 1927, on the fifth anniversary of her husband's death, Gertrude Whittall deeded Juniper Hall to the Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts for the establishment of a hospital "for the benefit of worthy and indigent Freemasons and their widows and dependents." Forty-nine years later, in 1976, Juniper Hall fell under the ownership of the Town of Shrewsbury, and in 1979 the town made the decision to demolish the building. What was once the showplace of central New England was gone.
Sid Callahan, Worcester Garden Club, 2011.
Today, Prospect Park is situated on the land that was Juniper Hall. The Park has been owned and maintained by the Town of Shrewsbury since 1976, but aided by the Friends of Prospect Park, an organization "interested in establishing and maintaining a passive recreation and garden area in Prospect Park." Check out their website for current activities, a trail map and future plans
"Prospect Park: from private estate to public gathering spot" by Jim Piotrowski; Community Advocate, Sept. 22, 2014.
"Prospect Park has a lot of history. The 74-acre parcel of land on Prospect Street was originally owned by Matthew and Gertrude Whittall who, in 1912, built “a great white Georgian summer estate” that they named Juniper Hall...."
Read the full article at: http://www.communityadvocate.com/2014/09/22/prospect-park-from-private-estate-to-public-gathering-spot/
"Return to Glory" by Sandy Quadros Bowles; Telegram and Gazette, April 15, 2010
"Calvin Coolidge visited here. So did members of the general public, invited to view and pick the lilacs that added beauty and vivid color to the grounds. In the 1920s, Juniper Hill stood among the showpieces of Central Massachusetts. Built not far from Shrewsbury center in 1912 as the summer home of Worcester industrialist Matthew J. Whittall, the two-story house featured a reception hall with a ceiling extending to the second floor, and a surrounding balcony. But the magnificent property was perhaps best known for its gardens....."
Read the full article at: http://www.telegram.com/article/20100415/FLASH/4150418/1198
