
Among the area’s best examples of a high-style Colonial Revival residence of the early 20th century, the Eisemann Mansion on Monmouth Street in Brookline’s Longwood neighborhood stands out not only for its scale and massing, but unique architectural details. The dwelling was built in 1905 for Selly and Albert Eisemann, both German-born Jews who immigrated to the United States and originally lived in New Mexico before moving to Brookline in their retirement. Albert was a retired wool merchant, and clearly made a name for himself out west, hiring local architect, James Templeton Kelley, to furnish plans for his large mansion in Longwood. With a boxy form and five bay facade (with six smaller windows at the third floor), the center-hall mansion is notable for its elaborate first-floor windows with individual cornices, recessed entry set between Ionic columns, and recessed niche balcony over the entry as a unique interpretation of a Palladian motif.