Partially hidden behind a shelter of elm trees on historic Templeton Common, The Country Mischief gift and Craft Shoppe has breathed new life into the 220 year old Stone Property, a noted landmark on the common for more than two centuries.

Silas Stone built the brick dwelling on the common with bricks used for ballast of ships coming from England in the 1770’s. In the 1830’s the house was enlarged by adding a two-story ell build of wood onto the original home. In all the house has nineteen rooms.

During the course of the house’s long history, it has been known as many things. It was once Joseph Upham Tavern, and during 1837 a private high school for boys. The downstairs was a general store at one point while the upstairs domed ballroom was the site of local political gatherings. The house has also been used by Templeton Physicians for their private practices.

In 1946 life long Templeton Resident Elsa Stone purchased the house. Elsa was one of the first female graduates of Radcliffe College in 1915. She was a school teacher, a welder during World War II, and an organist for the Templeton First Church. She is remembered even today, although not always fondly, by former students as a stringent tutor of the three R’s.

Elsa and her father, a Harvard Professor, boarded and tutored high school aged males over the summer months. The upper floor of the ell provided eight (8x9) bedrooms for the boys. Elsa lived in the residence until her 90’s, tutoring local students, tending her gardens, and splitting wood, for the home’s main source of heat. She passed away in 1988 at the age of 97.

In February of 1991 the opportunity to purchase the historic home arose and Gail, Glenn and the rest of the Country Mischief “crew” decided to seize the opportunity and move across the common. The nineteen room residence was completely redone, with new wallpaper, refinished floors and refurbished fireplaces. Today, each room is pleasantly cluttered with an ever changing collection of crafts, furniture, gifts and antiques ranging from country, colonial, primitive and folk. A must see montage’ of a bygone era.