Beautifully preserved house. If you love history, you'll love this place. Our tour guide, she was so passionate. You can also take a walk around the garden. read more

Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters - Museums Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This is a free NPS site, and the fact the Longfellow family preserved the house before making it public makes all the furnishings inside authentic, which isn't common. The tour was pretty good, but it was surprisingly light on both Longfellow and Washington. There was more emphasis on his descendants and their lives and the people who lived in the house first and their slaves, and that's fine and all, but that's really not what we came for. IF I didn't know anything about Longfellow, I wouldn't have learned more than the bare minimum that he was a poet. We came for the famous Longfellow's story. He wrote a famous poem on Paul Revere, making him an American legend. You know where they mention that? Paul Revere's house? You know where it didn't come up at all? Longfellow's house. The grounds are nice to stroll through. There's a temporary gallery from Longfellow's son and the many Asian art items he collected, so that was cool to look for. The gift shop was nonexistant. In its attempt to be more inclusive, it had almost nothing on Longfellow. You know where they have nice collections of Longfellow's house and souvenirs? Paul Revere's house. So the gift items exist, but not even at his house. It was so weird. Maybe NPS got bored staying on topic, but I've never been before, so it felt like I was missing out on the story I came for. read more

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This was a trip highlight. Even if you don't find yourself in Cambridge, make the trip for this National Parl Service site. The "standard" one hour tour was anything but standard. The Park Ranger was phenomenal. It was clear she not only knew everything about the site but she was passionate about the topic. Amazing for her 5th year (I think she said) as she recited lengthy poems, recalled facts about the family, and had a historical recollection that was committed to memory. The property itself is a museum on the inside. It rivaled any international museum of note with paintings, sculptures, furniture, books (of course), and other random pieces making up the family home. The garden was beautifully maintained. The signage invites a picnic and this would be a fantastice site for one. A random highlight was seeing the "neighborhood" turkeys on the property. The visit left me wanting to read more and I will! Go for a visit. read more

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I had a great time here. Beautifully preserved house and a nice free tour. Another reviewer said their tour had no information on Longfellow and Washington; my guess is that they may have taken a themed tour. Most of my tour was about the two historical figures with one aside about the houses enslaved residents (also important history). Very interesting historical site to visit, and a small gift shop on the way out. read more

Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters - Museums Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Very cool and unexpected historical treat while visiting the Cambridge area. I wasn't aware that both Longfellow and Washington stayed at this amazing house (not at the same time of course). This is a National Park Site and there is no fee ... but they do limit the tour group sizes so you may want to make a reservation in advance. The tour itself was great as our guide was well informed and knew her stuff. It was really a fun and informative experience. I am a history lover so I am always attracted to these type of sites. They are always more fun for me when I don't know I'm going to visit until I accidentally run across it. If you are like me and love these type of experiences, then definitely stop here. You won't regret it! read more

There is a lot of history in this house. The guide was awesome. They have tours every hour that last about 45- 50 minutes and they also have special times where they get more in-depth and they last 2 hours. read more

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Neat little NPS site. Simple infrastructure but house is very well preserved with a lot of original decorations and furnishings. Tour was informative. Pretty unimaginative junior ranger. Not a destination but worth stopping by if in area. read more

Lost opportunity to share a great story. I used to live in Boston in the nineties and always wanted to tour the Longfellow Home but was never able to, so I jumped at the chance to visit in the summer of 2024. I was touring with my two sons, aged 12 and 15. I had always loved the stories and works of Longfellow and hoped to learn more about him and his family on the tour. That was not the case, however. I will start by saying that there are several tours you can take of Longfellow house, the tours focusing on the queer people who lived in the home, the African American enslaved people who lived in the home or just the standard tour. I chose the standard tour, assuming it would focus on the Longfellow family and possibly George Washington's stay there as well. The tour began by talking extensively about the enslaved family that had lived there long before the Longfellows (who were abolishionists). We were told all the names of these individuals and how they ended up getting government assistance when their Tory owners fled the country and they were given their freedom as a result. I enjoyed hearing their story but was surprised that they didn't talk at all about the story of the original owners of the home that had fled. As we continued the tour, it focused heavily on the furniture and decorations and on Longfellow's unmarried daughter, Alice, who, due to her longstanding friendship with another single woman, was deemed as queer by the Longfellow staff. She also had a nephew whom they also mentioned was assumed to be gay. My skin crawled as I listened with my young sons as they talked extensively about the sexual leanings of the queer occupants of the home yet never even mentioned the loving relationship Henry and Fanny shared or the love they both gave their children, who were never named beyond Alice. They also covered every detail of the furnishings and Henry's love of philosophy but didn't ever mention his love of God. They barely touched on Washington except to share that he was a slave owner (even though he didn't have any slaves with him at Longfellow house). I asked the tour guide why she didn't tell us about the story behind the song, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" that was written after a fire in the home. Her answer was that it was a disturbing story that they felt would be hard for children and visitors to hear. I thought, "A story of overcoming a great trial with the help of family and God is too traumatic to children while focusing on slavery and sexuality isn't?" Ultimately, I found the tour extremely disappointing and depressing as its focus was heavily slanted toward a few stories in the home at the exclusion of THE story of the home, Longfellow and his family. They were a most beautiful and unique family who loved each other, loved life, loved God and loved their country. It was sad that none of this was shared in the tour of "The Longfellow House." read more

Beautiful house in Cambridge. A National Historic Site, if you are crazy about National Park Pass stamps like me, this house would be a definite destination for you. It's a bit far, not that far from the T station. Washington used this house as a headquarter . There was a summer concert was going on in the garden, when we walked in to the huge garden. Visitor center was behind the house. I got stamps on my big centennial National Park pass book, was happy. Did tour also. The tour became strangely memorable one, because of the the ranger who led us. At first she opened a closet and asked us to put our bags in it, then she unlocked a door telling us not to step any carpet except double carpeted alley. We all were very careful about that the whole 2 hours. She also told us in case anyone wanted to get out as emergency during the tour, should tell her, then somebody from the front will open the door to let us out. Kind of sort of tense situation we had. A baby cried during the tour, ranger signaled to the front, with the baby almost half of the group went out, I stayed. At one point a lady stood next to me told me I was touching the carpet I should not step, I was extremely careful about that . When I showed her where I was standing, she laughed and I did too. We all felt like we were Kindergartner. Anyway Longfellow lived in a huge house. Lots of famous people or poets came here. read more

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First of all, props to the rangers for letting us join the tour even though we were about 10 minutes late. The tour was fantastic. A bit of history, a bit of reading - which are 2 of my favorites. The ranger did a great job of keeping the tour interesting, without rambling on and on. I can only imagine how beautiful the view was without all the development around the area. There was a lovely garden to tour as well and they were having a small event while we were there. We would have stayed but we had other plans already in place for the evening. Tour is free and there is a small gift shop that you exit into when the tour is over. Several National Park passport stamps to get here if you are into that. read more

Question: Where can you learn about George Washington's planning headquarters AND also the life of a legendary poet? Answer: Here! Let me begin by saying that I already liked some of the works of Longfellow before stepping through the doorway, but now I can say I am a true fan. The tour magically came to life because of our guide, Megan. She was so animated with her stories, and you could tell how much she truly loved sharing the Longfellow's family history. She carefully guided us through the beautiful home, making sure that we only walked along the carpet runners, so as not to damage the original floors. She also had a very clever wit about her and kept us all smiling the entire time. I can definitely say this is by far one of the best tours I have ever been on. I honestly wish we had an additional 1 to 2 hours for more of the delightful storytelling. read more

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Outstandingly preserved home of not one but two American icons: George Washington and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Cannot rave enough over this free and informative tour containing some of the highest volume of original/authentic period decor in this region. And that is saying something in New England. This house has backstory within backstory throughout its centuries-old existence. See the room and desk and chair at which Longfellow composed his famous works. Stand in the spot where George Washington strategized how to make a ragtag group of farm boys into an organized militia ready to take on the Brits. So many stories abound, and so many artifacts remain, thanks to Longfellow desendants with visionary thinking and foresight. This is an excellent house museum tour, and we were fortunate to enjoy it on the 102nd birthday of the National Park Service. Admission is free, but come on -- drop some dough in the glass box. This is a lesser-known gem of a place that deserves your full attention and generous donation. For historic, revolutionary, and literary double-whammy value, this house is nothing less than a national treasure. read more

A wonderful and free National Parks Service (NPS) site that is plenty entertaining for all, young and old, local or from abroad. The rangers are very knowledgeable and the site appears to be well-staffed. They are continually working to restore and maintain what most be a costly landmark mansion to be as historically accurate as possible. The resulting history lesson is far more engaging and memorable than what could be afforded in the most exclusive classrooms or lecture halls. Be prepared to be inspired to support conservation and preservation once you behold the wondrous interiors and furnishings of this house. read more

This is a great spot to visit in Boston. Tucked away in a residential street near Harvard Yard, the street itself is lovely just to walk as it houses lovely homes and landscaping. Stopping into the Longfellow house is a definite must - and leave time to wander the grounds as the gardens are beautiful. I was 30 min early for the tour (they're on the hour...), so I sat in the garden and relaxed while I waited. I was lucky also since no one was there and I had the spot all to myself. The tours start right on time and ours was run by a very enthusiastic young woman who clearly enjoys her job. I would have liked to hear a smidge more about some of the artifacts in the home, but definitely ask about something if you want to know because they know about almost every piece in there and can satisfy your curiosity. The house itself is lovely and has a really interesting history even before Longfellow owned it. I was amazed at how large the rooms are considering the time period the home was built - often these homes have lots of rooms, but they are all tiny. These were spacious and quite grand. I imagine it would have been lovely to be a guest at a party here. The view of the Charles River is gone but if you look down from the front door, you can imagine how amazing it must have looked. Definitely a nice slice of history and a must-see! read more

A free tour of a beautiful historic mansion with a beautifully well-manicured garden out front? Score. It is a very short walk from Harvard, as well. George Washington used the house as his headquarters while planning the defense of Boston, and Longfellow later purchased the house and made it his home. Maybe the best part was that they were holding an event on the lawn out front with a free concert. It was part of a summer series where college student musicians are invited to play for a small crowd. They were starting up just as our tour let out, and it was really nice. read more

Totally worth a visit. The garden is beautiful and the house and tour shouldn't be missed. Really enjoyed ourselves. the history of the house is incredible and the interior is amazing. Definitely worth a visit! read more

4.5 Stars George Washington was headquartered here for about 9 months but the furnishings displayed are from when the Longfellow family lived here. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow roomed here when he was a Professor at Harvard. When he married Fanny Appleton, his father-in-law bought and gifted them the house, along with land. The house was cool to tour, decorated with original furnishings, and gave a good overview of what Longfellows' homelife was like. The carpeting was replicated. Throughout the home there were busts of famous figures and portraits of different Longfellow family members. I enjoyed walking through the different rooms and the guide was knowledgeable. Glad I was able to see this. read more

I can't believe we live a few blocks away from this place. Just found that out today, just got back from visiting a few hours ago. We decided to go on the 1 PM tour at the last minute and it was more than I expected. Like everything else, I Yelped it first... why does this only have 4 out of 5 stars? We discovered that Longfellow's children/grandchildren made it a point to maintain the place and keep the original items so that future generations could enjoy it. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and, because we were a small group of 4, he let us explore some of the rooms that are normally roped off. Everything was beautiful, from the gorgeous garden to the original wallpaper and carpet that they replicated to the T (they had to replace the carpet/window treatments, but they match the originals). My favorite room was Longfellow's lounge/office/study, this is where he made history. Being an English nut, I guess I'm a little partial when I say this, but there's something magical about standing a few feet away from the very pulpit (and it's a pulpit, not a desk) that Longfellow stood behind when he composed the optimistic poems we remember him for today. I'll stop playing tour guide, but I highly recommend that you visit the Lonfellow house. I've been to Concord (saw the Alcott and Hawthorne house) and am happy to say that visiting this historic spot was just as enjoyable. Plus, like I said, it's easy to get to from Harvard Square. If you live anywhere in Boston, just take the redline into Harvard Square and walk about two blocks down Brattle Street... that's it. Plus, admission is only $3. Fun, affordable, educational... love this place. read more

I was just a LITTLE too early. Place opens for tours on June 1st. They were painting and preparing when I showed up, but I got to walk around the grounds a little. Pretty gorgeous. Giant house, gardens, etc, etc. Just kinda neat to walk around the same yard that George Washington probably paced 200-blah blah years ago, and then brilliant minds like Longfellow, Holmes, etc etc. a few later. read more

Visited the historical site last weekend...the guide that took us on the tour was fantastic. Her knowledge and enthusiasm was infectious. There were numerous children on the tour and all of them were fascinated!!! A real surprise and definitely attributed to the guide's engaging presentation abilities. Here is a full write-up of our visit posted on RainyDayMagazine: http://www.rainydaymagazine.com/RDM2009/Home/July/Week3/RDMHomeJul1809.htm#LongfellowHouse Click on any of the images for a larger version. Sincerely, Wan Chi Lau Managing Editor http://www.rainydaymagazine.com "We Entertain When It Rains" read more

This place is awesome. You get to learn a lot about a really cool house, and walk around a picturesque garden. I suggest going on one of the alloted tour times so that you can tour the lovely house. read more

+ FREE :D + detailed tour of the house by knowledgeable staff (guided only, cannot roam yourself, I believe) + short walk from Harvard Square (take Brattle st. heading away from Harvard and you'll hit it in about 10mins) + You aren't allowed to carry any bags in, so there's a closet to keep all your stuff while you tour...phew, all those travel backpacks get heavy! Mom came into town and Harvard was an obvious stop. However, what was not obvious, was the Longfellow house! Most people I spoke to did not know of this place or heard of Longfellow, but after touring the house, I feel like EVERYONE should get to know this Longfellow fella (ha!). It's crazy to think these are some of the same steps that George Washington, Sam Adams etc. might've walked himself, definitely worth taking a look if you're at all a history buff or even just appreciate art with a back story. Guided tour runs on the hour, with the last one being 4pm. The people are super friendly and very knowledgeable and you're free to ask questions about almost anything in the house. I only had about 6 people in my groups o we had a lot of side questions about the artifacts laying around that were not mentions in the main talk and our tour guide had a cool story to most of them! There's even a Dickens sketch that's signed personally by him given to Longfellow just casually hanging in the hallway, nbd!! It's just a yellow house from the outside and blink and you might miss it, but if you take the back entrance through the garden and walk through the tinted windows, you'll find a gem! I thought the place was closed because their doors are closed and windows are dark, but the sign hanging says "open" so don't be afraid to walk on in! read more

One of Boston/Cambridge's best kept secrets. You get a free tour of a house that George Washington lived in, and if you're into Longfellow then you'll probably like it even more. There are several historic homes around the greater Boston area that you can tour (most for $5-10), but this one stands out as a not to miss if you're interested in history/like touring old houses. Take a break from the typical Freedom trail tourist trip, especially if you're planning to visit Harvard Square and come here. Tip: the house, but not the gardens, are only open certain times of the year (summer), so check the website beforehand. read more

Even if you aren't into historic house tours, the Longfellow House is worth a visit just to spend a little time in the garden. There's no charge to wander the property, and being that this place is only a short walk from the congestion of Harvard Square, the garden is a nice quiet place to sit and relax in the sunshine. There are tons of plants and flowers in bloom in the summer, and you can almost always find a vacant bench. If not, visitors are also welcome to sit in the shade under the trees in the yard as well. Quiet, uncrowded green spaces are hard to come by in the city, and the garden at the Longfellow House is a rare gem. It's a great place for an afternoon date, or to just enjoy a short break from the city once in a while. read more

What an amazing gem. The home is beautiful and the passion of the rangers at this home is infectious. Interesting history in the home. I'm so glad we visited. The grounds are beautiful and full of bunnies!!! read more

Great 50-min tour. The tour guides, ours was Kate, are unbelievably informative. Would have given 5 stars but wish there had been an option to see the 3rd floor and combine with a grounds tour. read more

How can you not love a free tour through one of Cambridge's most historic buildings? This year, the Longfellow House has added "Washington's Headquarters" to their title and are now adding in information about George's stay in the Vassell house during the Siege of Boston. There are a lot of really cool items in the house (The Longfellows seem to have been packrats) and photography is allowed, though no flash. Tours are offered multiple times a day from Wed through Sunday and are the only way to see the inside. Short walk from Harvard Square. read more

The Longfellow House--Washington's Headquarters was easily the most interesting National Historic Site tour I've been on. The house is beautiful and the garden is a gem. Tours are free, an hour long, and run every hour on the hour. The site also have expedited tours that are 30-minutes in length. My partner and I visited today and the 3 PM tour guide was phenomenal. Unfortunately we didn't get her name, but regardless she gave a fantastic tour. I would surely go again sometime soon. read more

The best of the "Historic Home" national parks in Boston. Great outside gardens and a nice pleasant walk from Harvard Square. Grab something to go and enjoy your sandwich in the gardens. The park is usually not very crowed even in the summer. You can easily park in the garage at Harvard square but there is usually parking in fron of the site. read more

Loved this tour. A house that Washington lived in that inspired later resident Longfellow to write poetry regarding the revolutionary war period. The house and grounds were amazing and very well furnished. The stories were fascinating, and the tour guide Will did a fantastic job. This is a "must see" when you are in Boston. read more

A tour of this house is well worth the time. The guide was very informative weaving the way through the history of George Washington's headquarters here to Longfellow's evolution into a successful poet while living in the house. Everything is remarkably well preserved. read more

We took the tour a weekend or so ago. It was fantastic, and it was free! The tour was very informative, and the tour guide was great! It was so busy when we were there that they had added an extra tour! As a result, we didn't have to wait much at all. The gardens in the back were beautiful, and the house was really amazing! Highly recommended! read more

This house museum had the most number of original artifacts that I have ever seen in a house museum. It was a free tour. The tour guide was tremendous. The house and grounds are beautiful and immaculately maintained. Close to Harvard square. read more

I love museums, so when I was going to visit a friend in Cambridge I did a search for historic house museums and came across the Longfellow House. She said she'd been to the grounds, but never one a tour, so we decided to go. Tours are free and offered every hour, so we caught the noon tour on a Saturday. I had no idea what to expect when our tour guide came out to greet us. Well, let me tell you, it was GREAT! Completely worth an hour of my time. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and wonderful. The house is full of fascinating stories and history. The tour wasn't just about the objects, it really told a story. I loved it and would go again the next time I was in Cambridge. And I want to be best friends with our guide. She was the best. read more

I'm glad the tour is free and all, but our tour guide was unnecessarily austere. Would have preferred if she didn't treat us like our very presence was downgrading the quality of the rug runners. read more