The Lyman Estate, known as "The Vale," is one of the finest examples in the United States of a country estate laid out following the principles of eighteenth-century English naturalistic design. For more than 150 years, it was the country home to four generations of Boston’s prominent Lyman family. Salem, Massachusetts, architect Samuel McIntire designed the Federal-style mansion in 1793 for wealthy shipping merchant Theodore Lyman. The family enlarged the house in 1882 in the Victorian style and then remodeled it in the Colonial Revival style in 1917. The property contains historic greenhouses, a carriage house and gardener’s cottage, and thirty-seven acres of pleasure grounds, gardens, and woodlands. Visitors learn the history of the illustrious Lyman family as they explore the elegant mansion, which is used today as a venue for weddings, meetings, and private parties. The mansion’s architectural features include an elegant ballroom and graceful oval parlor, both pristine examples of Federal design.

The Lyman Estate Greenhouses are among the oldest surviving greenhouses in the United States. The complex of four greenhouses consists of an 1804 grape house, 1820 camellia house, 1840 orchid house, and a 1930 sales greenhouse where visitors can purchase plants to take home. At any time of year a visit to these picturesque greenhouses is a treat. Rare orchids covered with exotic flowers bloom throughout the year. During the summer, Black Hamburg and Green Muscat grapevines are laden with enormous clusters of fruit. Autumn in the greenhouses arrives with the sweet scent of citrus plants in bloom, followed by the arrival of their fruit. When winter is at its bleakest, the century-old camellia collection puts forth its magnificent blooms. The expert horticultural staff offers advice and assistance with plant selection and culture. The greenhouse specializes in orchids, exotic house plants, citrus fruits, camellias, and herbs. Five large specialty plant sales are held during the year. In our gift shop and sales greenhouse we offer not only plants, but also orchid growing supplies, pottery, gardening books, fertilizers, notecards, and garden gifts.