Vacation Notes - Pyrography Decorated Suede Cover Depicting the exterior of "The Northfield", Northfield MA, July 3 - 12, 1898

A 7 3/4" x 5 1/4" suede cover with suede tie binding. The cover is pyrography decorated and depicts the exterior and grounds of the Northfield Chateau. The journey begins with the traveler leaving Springfield MA at 3:30 pm on July 3, 1898. Based on the content of the 20 pencil written pages it appears that the gentleman was attending a religious retreat with numerous lectures. The writer describes content of the lectures and his interpretations. The retreat was apparently also attended by his son. The writing concludes with "Enjoyed being with my boy up here and it was sure good food for thought that has found a resting place in my heart". First and last page heavily toned from acid leaching from the leather. The chateau was designed by noted architect Bruce Price (of the Ch teau Frontenac) for Francis Robert Schell, a New York capitalist attracted by his interest in Dwight Lyman Moody's work at the nearby Northfield Seminary and Mount Hermon School. It was completed in 1903 on grounds of 125 acres.