Back in the 90’s while living in Oregon, I watched a movie called “Flowers in the Attic.”  It was a disturbing movie about an heiress who hides her children in the attic of her parents mansion because they did not approve of her marriage to her late husband. By the end of the movie it is revealed that she’s been trying to kill the children in order gain her father’s inheritance. Like I said, pretty disturbing. The house in the movie was a stately mansion with an expansive lawn that made the place look palatial. Little did I know, this house was right here in Massachusetts, only about 20 miles away. Even better, it’s open for tours. As luck would have it, we had a free Saturday to go visit.

The place is actually called Castle Hill on the Crane Estate and was once the summer home of the Richard T. Crane Jr. family. Crane built his fortune in plumbing fixtures and became an industrial giant during the early 1900’s. Janet and I purchased the Visiting Guest tour which allowed us to see the upstairs bedrooms in addition to the free rooms downstairs. On the Visiting Guest tour, the guide acted as the butler who showed you through the house and the rooms you would be staying in.  He stayed in complete character until the end of the tour when he was allowed to acknowledge the existence of  21st century technology and inventions. One of the most interesting sites in the home were the bathrooms. Crane made his fortune selling plumbing fixtures such as sinks and bathtubs. He used the house as a display for his catalog, with no two bathrooms looking the same. Each were equipped with marble covered tubs and sinks and all the latest in shower appliances.  The upstairs rooms in the two wings of the house that jut out the back belonged to Crane’s son and daughter. These suites were huge and had awesome views of the ocean.

After the tour we strolled through the gardens and the lawn. A croquet field now sits where the pool once was. At the pool were also the guest rooms for boys that would visit through the summer. They weren’t allowed to stay in the house with girls, to keep things proper.

I learned in the gift shop that not only was Flowers in the Attic filmed on location at the Crane Estate, but also the Witches of Eastwick.  This house sure does attract a creepy movie clientele.

The house is managed by the Board of Trustees which is a group in Massachusetts that owns and manages properties throughout the state. We bought a membership in hopes that it would open the doors to more adventures.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller