History of the Knollwood Property
Early in 1742 Jacob Chamberlain of Newton purchased seventy-five acres of land on Salisbury Street from Richard Flagg. Chamberlain, deacon of the old first church on the commons and a selectman of Worcester, began the farm which remained in the family for over one hundred and sixty years. Known as the Chamberlain District, the property was home and work to four generations and twenty-nine children. The Chamberlains could claim ministers, a general, a sheriff and a founder of the Worcester Hoticultural Society among their number.
For a few years the land was occupied by J. W. Bennett, a dairyman, and was purchased in 1914 by Lyman F. and Prue Louise Cox Gordon of Grafton. Mr. Gordon, a well-respected and successful businessman, considered one of Worcester’s first citizens, had established with his partner Horace Wyman the Wyman Gordon Drop Forge Company. He commissioned E.J. Cross of Worcester and Little and Brown Architects of Boston to construct the house styled on the French manor of the 17 th and 18 th century. Mr. Lyman died during the house’s construction.
In 1917 Lucius James and Laura McGinley Knowles of Worcester purchased the estate and increased the acreage to one hundred and twenty-two. Named Knollwood, the manor house and its cottages were considered the most beautiful residence in Worcester County. Crompton and Knowles Loom Company of which Mr. Knowles was president, was at that time the largest loom manufacturing corporation in the world. L. J. Knowles shared the heritage which made the Knowles family recognized not only for their business acumen but also for their contribution to the cultural and recreational life of Worcester County.
In 1928 the estate became the property of Theodore T. and Mary Griffin Ellis who used the manor to house their extensive art collection. Mr. Ellis was president of the New England Fibre Blanket Company and published the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. Up[on the death of Mrs. Ellis in 1940 the property was parceled into lots and in 1950 at the request of Bishop John Wright the Sisters of Notre Dame bought a twelve acre tract and established Notre Dame Academy as a college preparatory school for young women.
The photographs on this page depict Knollwood of 1927 and were given to the Academy through the generosity of the Knowles family. They are dedicated in loving memory of Sarah Knowles de Coizart (1908-1992) and her husband Andr é de Coizart (1897-1994), devoted honorary trustees of Notre Dame Academy.
Notre Dame Academy
425 Salisbury Street, Worcester MA 01609
Phone: 508-757-6200/ FAX: 508-757-1888