Castle Hill on the Crane Estate Receives 2025 Frederick Law Olmsted Award

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Ipswich

Congratulations to Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, recipient of a 2025 Frederick Law Olmsted Award.

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts, is a jewel of American architecture and history. Completed in 1928 for industrialist Richard T. Crane Jr. and designed by renowned architect David Adler, Castle Hill on the Crane Estate exemplifies the elegance and grandeur of the Country Place Era. Drawing inspiration from 17th-century English country homes, it commands breathtaking views from Castle Hill across the Atlantic Ocean. Today, it stands as a National Historic Landmark — a living monument to America’s architectural and cultural legacy.

Restoration work focused on preserving the historical character and structural integrity of the Great House. The project involved restoring the brick masonry and stonework, with emphasis on the cornice, parapet, and brick Portico reconstruction. Highly detailed sandstone dutchman repairs were carefully executed, integrating new stone with original materials using traditional pinning and adhesion methods. Every decision and detail was guided by a commitment to accuracy, longevity, and historical authenticity.

This restoration project exemplifies what meaningful preservation looks like: not just restoring a structure, but safeguarding a story — one that spans generations and continues to inspire. Our work helps positively define preservation by demonstrating how traditional techniques and materials can be used to honor the past while securing the future. It invites appreciation for the beauty of heritage craftsmanship and the value of meticulous, historically informed restoration.