Look out the large window onto the backyard.

The extensive property once contained three greenhouses. In 1917, Theodore Case would convert the long rectangular one to the left into his laboratory. The large, ornate, circular greenhouse was damaged in 1876 by a hail storm, which Sylvester Willard makes note of in his diary.

Greenhouse c. late 19th century

“Sunday June 25, 1876 at 2 o’clock p.m. occurred a thundershower, the rain falling in almost a sheet of water. After continuing for 15 to 20 minutes, the rain was succeeded by a terrific storm of hail, the stones being of great size and velocity, which destroyed nearly all the glass in buildings on the windward side. In my grape house and green house it was estimated that 1500 panes were broken, and in the vicinity not less than 6000 panes.  Gardens utterly cut to pieces and fruit destroyed. One piece of ice which fell a little west of Auburn is said to measure six inches in circumference.”

In an entry a few days after the storm, Dr. Willard notes that he hired two neighborhood boys to clean up the broken glass. The greenhouse was rebuilt in 1884.

Greenhouses c. late 19th century

The paved walkways and fence around the property were added by Dr. Willard in 1876 and 1877, and in 1878 he had statuary raised into the niches on the exterior of the house. He had originally placed two white marble statues in the niches on the east wing addition. These were later replaced by his daughters with granite urns.