William Hickling Prescott House, Boston

Presenting a charming house museum today, this Federal-style gem, born in 1808 and designed by Asher Benjamin, was quite the rage during the Early Republic days. Originally, these twin townhouses were standalone structures with a serene water view, before the land now occupied by the Boston Public Garden was filled in. From 1845 to 1859, they were the dwelling of esteemed historian William Hickling Prescott (who made a name for himself with tomes on Spanish and Spanish colonial history) and his family. Since 1944, it's been the home base for the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, and they've played a significant role in revitalizing the interior.

On guided tours, you'll amble through rooms decked out in period furnishings, including a glimpse into Prescott's former study, complete with his trusty desk and "noctograph", a nifty invention that aided the nearly blind scholar in his writing endeavors. Prescott even had a secret staircase up his sleeve, allowing him to make a crafty escape into his study whenever he grew weary of parlor guests.

Hung on a wall, amid the charming mix of Federalist and Victorian furniture, is a photograph of two crossed swords, once wielded by Colonel William Prescott and British Captain John Linzee – the grandfathers of our historian and his wife, respectively. These gentlemen crossed blades at Bunker Hill, and the display of their weapons here stirred the literary musings of William Thackeray, a frequent guest at the house, who penned his novel 'The Virginians' inspired by this very sight.

Tours are on the menu from April to October, so be sure to book your visit online!