Gibson House Museum, Boston

If you are a student or lover of Social History, you wouldn't want to miss a visit to the Gibson House Museum in Boston’s famous Back Bay area.

This Italian Renaissance-style house was built in 1860 by Edward Clark Cabot, one of the city’s leading architects. It is a brownstone and red brick, six-storey terrace house bought by Catherine Gibson following her husband’s death. The property remained in Gibson's family, passing on to her son and grandson successively until the latter died in the early 1950s. The museum was opened in 1957. In 2001 the building was declared a National Historic Landmark.

Four of the six storeys are open to the public: the “false” ground floor, half below street level with windows and doors opening onto the back courtyard; and the ground floor with the entrance hall and dining room. A red-carpeted stairway leads to the upper floors and a narrow stairway leads to the kitchens. On the first floor there are the largest rooms in the house, the music room and the library. On the second floor there are a bedroom and a study (once a bedroom) separated by a bathroom and a dressing room.

Tastefully decorated with the original family furniture, portraits, porcelains and ceramics, each room of the house expresses louder than words the Bostonian upper-class way of life between the late 19th and mid 20th centuries.

Why You Should Visit:
Boston is all about its history, and if you're interested in it at all in the slightest, this is a great destination to see life as it once was.
Aside from being an observer, you can really get the most out of the guided tour if you ask questions (so...don't be afraid to ask).

Tip:
Arrive early and wait outside until tour time, then ring the bell for assistance.
They do not like to interrupt a tour in progress and will likely turn you away, if late.
Special events are held throughout the year – check their site regularly!

Opening Hours:
Wed: 11am-9pm; Thu-Sun: 1pm-4pm
Visits are by guided tour only, Wednesday–Sunday
Tours begin promptly at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm