A House Steeped in History, Both Literary and Political
The Longfellow House Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, built in 1759, as it looks today. Photo by Flickr contributor Mr. Littlehand
A House Steeped in History, Both Literary and Political
Longfellow House, former home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, also served as George Washington’s headquarters during the 1775–1776 Siege of Boston
What?
Longfellow House Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
When?
Open Wednesdays through Sundays, from late May through October 27, from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Find more information here.
Where?
How much?
Free
Why should I go?
Few historical homes can boast the kind of storied provenance that the Longfellow House has. Built in 1759, the Georgian mansion was General George Washington’s headquarters during the 1775-1776 Siege of Boston, when he served as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Later, it was the home of one of the nation’s most famous 19th-century poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who lived there from his marriage in 1843 until his death in 1882. Longfellow wrote many of his best-known poems, including “The Song of Hiawatha” and “Paul Revere’s Ride” while living in the house.
Today, the house is maintained by the National Park Service, which offers free ranger-led tours Wednesday through Sunday from late May through late October. Visitors can see the room Washington used as his war council room, where the Continental Army was planned, as well as manuscripts, family papers, furnishings, and clothing belonging to the Longfellow family. Tours are offered on the hour from 10 am to 4 pm, and run approximately 50 minutes. Shorter express tours are offered on the half hour. See the full tour schedule here.
Be sure to leave time to take a walk among the formal gardens, which were designed by Longfellow. The gardens are the setting for free readings and concerts.
Take an MBTA Red Line train to Harvard Square and walk up Brattle Street.
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