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Allen Crocker Curtis, born in 1789 to Solomon Curtis, owner of one of this country's first paper mills, buys 11.5 acres near the Quinobequin River on what was then Washington Street and has local builder William Lyon construct his Greek revival-style home. |
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Allen Crocker Curtis retires from the Curtis family paper business that spanned over 68 years in Newton Lower Falls. |
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L. Royal Putnam teaches piano in the Curtis Room and dancing in the large ballroom on the third floor. |
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Doors of Pillar House are opened to the public August 19. |
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Freeman Roberts fills maintenance man vacancy and is still on the job today. |
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George Larsen retires and his son Thomas Larsen takes over running Pillar House. |
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Tom Larsen makes his first quality of life decision to close the restaurant on Saturdays and Sundays to help him attract and retain a top-notch staff, drawn by the lure of weekends off. Critics thought we were insane. |
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Pillar House becomes the first Massachusetts 100% smoke-free restaurant. The change was so revolutionary, it was broadcast over the AP Wire! We lost a few patrons, but in their place are healthier, more sophisticated groups who appreciate the wholesome ambiance. The same year, Pillar House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. |
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The first edition (Autumn) of the "Pillar House News" is made available by request to customers. Tom Larsen's innovative management techniques earn The Massachusetts Restaurant Association's Restaurateur of the Year Award. |
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The Chef's Table is inaugurated on September 22. |
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George Larsen dies at the age of 91. Restaurant Hospitality Magazine honors Pillar House as having the Best International Wine List in the country. Pillar House drops the dress code that requires jackets and ties for men. |
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Zagat restaurant guide lists Pillar House "with a tradition of excellent dining, plus gorgeous décor and attentive service." The new upstairs Bar & Cafe opens to rave reviews. "A perfect place to relax after work." |
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Pillar House launches new Web site to attract professionals who frequent the 128 hi-tech corridor looking for a place to relax after work with friends and business associates and to make it easier for guests and corporate accounts to book reservations. |
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Please follow the horizontal scrolling timeline to get a taste of the rich history of this old house. Use the bottom scroll bar to move the page to the right. Enjoy! |
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Allen Crocker and his brother William build a large stone mill on the Quinobequin River that still stands today on what is now known as the Charles River. Later, the brothers smuggle in from England two Fourdrinier machines which enable them to be the first in the U.S. to make paper on a continuous roll. |
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The Metropolitan Park Commission takes a plot of land in front of the Curtis house. |
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George Larsen purchases the Curtis house for his new restaurant and names it after the four majestic ionic columns that grace the north front, reminiscent of Greek temples. Reconstruction added the main dining room and kitchen, leaving the original house much as it was. |
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Raymond Washburn of Weston begins dining at Pillar House during lunch every Wednesday. |
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The Pillar House Cookbook by David Paul Larousse and Alan R. Gibson is published for our guests in gratitude for their ongoing loyalty and enthusiasm. |
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Wine dinners quickly become a popular event at Pillar House. The cost this year is $55. |
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Pillar House closes for lunch rather than compromise the quality of the food or service. Regular luncheon guest Raymond Washburn is devastated. "It was a good habit, and I just don't know where I'll go now nothing will be the same." New policy begins of calling guests after their dining experience to thank them and ask for their comments. |
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Boston Marathon spectators pay $5 to park and watch the race at official Mile 16.2 from the Pillar House parking lot raising over $1,000 for The Wellness Community. |
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