Borderland State Park

North Easton, MA. – In 1971, the state of Massachusetts acquired the estate of Oakes and Blanche Ames.  Known as Borderland State Park the former Ames’ estate is composed of 1,772 acres of land.  Borderland has six ponds and a visitor’s center.  The most notable aspect of the park is the former Ames mansion.

The former Ames Mansion at Borderland.
Construction of the mansion began in 1910.  Oakes Ames (1874-1950) was a Harvard University educated botanist.  Oakes was the youngest son of Massachusetts Governor Oliver Ames and Mrs. Anna C. Ames.  His wife, Blanche Ames (1878-1969), was an artist, author, feminist, and inventor.  Oakes Ames was the author of several articles and books about nature.  Blanche Ames was an advocate in the women’s suffrage movement.  In 1916 she co-founded the Birth Control League of Massachusetts.

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