Gibson House Museum, Boston

One of the pioneering residences in Back Bay, this house was crafted in the fashionable Italian Renaissance Revival style during the late 19th century, commissioned by Catherine Hammond Gibson, a remarkable woman of her time, who defied the odds as one of the few female property owners in the area. Fast forward to her grandson, Charles Hammond Gibson, Jr., a man of many talents 鈥� poet, horticulturalist, and travel enthusiast 鈥� who had a passion for preserving family history and decided to give this house a new lease on life as a museum after he passed away in 1954.

Back in its heyday, the Gibson House was quite the avant-garde residence. Although it might seem quaint compared to the mega-mansions that came later, it had all the bells and whistles of its time 鈥� gas lighting, basement-level indoor plumbing, and a state-of-the-art coal-fired central heating system. The interior is a real blast from the past, with goodies like a 1795 Willard clock, some ornate raised and gilded wallpaper, and a multifaceted faux-bamboo bedroom set. Unlike many of its Back Bay counterparts, the Gibson family's home has stood the test of time, with its Victorian fixtures and furniture preserved impeccably.

The house doubles as the go-to gathering spot for the New England chapter of the Victorian Society in America, and you might even recognize it as an interior setting from the 1984 Merchant Ivory film 'The Bostonians.'

Why You Should Visit:
If you're even remotely interested in history, this is a prime spot to immerse yourself in the upper-crust lifestyle of late 19th to mid-20th-century Beantown. Aside from being an observer, you can get the most out of the guided tour if you ask questions (so... don't be shy!).

Tip:
There are various types of tours available; general ones delve into the lives of the Gibson family and their domestic staff, while a monthly specialty tour called "Charlie Gibson鈥檚 Queer Boston" explores the early 20th-century gay subculture in Boston. They prefer not to interrupt ongoing tours, so be punctual. Also, keep an eye on their website for special events held throughout the year!

Guided Tours:
Thu: 3pm, 4pm, 5pm; Fri-Sun: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Boston. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Gibson House Museum
Sight Location: Boston, USA (See walking tours in Boston)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Beacon Hill Historic Houses Tour

Walking Tours in Boston, Massachusetts

Create Your Own Walk in Boston

Creating your own self-guided walk in Boston is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

North End Food Tour

Boston鈥檚 North End is famous primarily for its Italian food. By far not as big as New York's Little Italy, this one-square-mile waterfront community is the oldest in the city, and is packed to the brim with a cornucopia of Italian eateries 鈥� restaurants, cafes, espresso bars, pizza and sandwich shops 鈥� lined next to each other within just a few short blocks to ensure visitors both a... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles

Historical Cambridge MA Walking Tour

Once a quiet New England farming village-turned capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, today's Cambridge, MA is a university town that dazzles visitors as the home of renowned Harvard University 鈥� alma mater of many intellectuals, literary geniuses, celebrities, and wealthy and powerful. Many of America鈥檚 elite have spent some time at Harvard, and their contributions to Cambridge have... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

North End Walking Tour

The North End was the city's first neighborhood, and one that has been key to its fortunes, having become a hub of commercial, social and intellectual activity by the 1750s. Later known as Boston's Little Italy, it has been home to Italian immigrants through much of the 20th century, and still retains a certain Mediterranean flavor in its many restaurants, caf茅s, and specialty shops. In... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles

Bunker Hill Walking Tour

Bunker Hill, sitting on the bank of the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts, is a historic site that holds great significance in American history. At its heart stands the Bunker Hill Monument, a towering obelisk commemorating the Battle of Bunker Hill, a pivotal event in the American Revolutionary War.

The battle took place on June 17, 1775, when American patriots faced off against British... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles

Boston Introduction Walking Tour

The capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States and it had played a key role in the country's struggle for independence. Founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers from England, it witnessed many events of the American Revolution, including the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Siege of Boston.

... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Historical Churches Walking Tour

Boston's great churches are among the most precious of the city's numerous architectural jewels. What makes them special are their unique styles, elegant facades and long history.

Starting with the Old North Church, which towers in the city鈥檚 North End, this journey surely feels like taking a step back in time. Legend was made there, in the very place that Paul Revere waited for... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles

View all walking tours in Boston, Massachusetts

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

Boston's Marblehead Eateries

With such a diverse variety of dining cuisines and styles, the little town of Marblehead has something to satisfy every budget and culinary palate. You won't find any neon here, none is allowed in town and there are no fast food or drive-thrus establishments either. Most are quaint and...