by The Greek Revival style Forbes House in Milton, Massachusetts was built in 1833 for Margaret Perkins (1773–1856) by her children. It was constructed in honor of Margaret’s son Thomas, who died at age 26 in a typhoon.
The family made its fortune in the China Trade, which at that time primarily involved opium. Two of Margaret’s children, Captain Robert Bennet Forbes (1804–1889) and John Murray Forbes (1813–1898), were heavily involved in the family business.
The home rises three stories to a cupola with a view of ships arriving in Boston Harbor. It was considered an engineering marvel at the time it was built, containing both central heating and indoor plumbing.
Four generations of the Forbes family lived in the home through 1962. In 1964 it was opened as a museum, retaining many of the family’s furniture, art and decorative items collected during their years in involved in international trade.
Though the family history isn’t especially exciting, the house has many lovely pieces on display.
