A Part of History

The 395 Commonwealth Avenue building was constructed in 1899 for the Frederick Ayer family which traces its New England roots back to the 1630's. General George S. Patton, Jr. proposed to Beatrice Banning Ayer, one of Frederick Ayer's daughters, in this building. Frederick Ayer was regarded as a noble, hard-working family man who made his fortune through foresighted business and real estate investments. He said, "I have never earned a dollar of which I was ashamed."