Frequently Asked Questions

Longyear Museum is about Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, one of two religions founded in America. Mrs. Eddy lived in New England from 1821 to 1910. The museum documents her life and the lives of the pioneer Christian Scientists who helped her establish the worldwide religion.

The museum’s founder was Mary Beecher Longyear (1851-1931), a Brookline, Massachusetts, philanthropist and devoted student of Christian Science. Mrs. Longyear's collection on the life history of Mary Baker Eddy and early workers in the Christian Science movement forms the major part of the museum's collections.

Yes, more than forty letters passed between Mrs. Longyear and Mrs. Eddy. Mrs. Longyear assisted Mrs. Eddy on projects both large and small, and Mrs. Eddy commended Mrs. Longyear's generosity in the Christian Science Sentinel and in her letters.

Yes. When Mrs. Longyear passed on in 1931 she left her mansion on Fisher Hill to the Longyear Foundation. The home was used as a museum from 1937 until 1998, when it was sold in order to build the new museum in nearby Chestnut Hill.

Yes, call the Curatorial Department at 800.277.8943 or 617.278.9000, or write the department at 1125 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-1811, or e-mail letters@longyear.org

Direct requests in writing to the Curatorial Department, 1125 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-1811, or e-mail letters@longyear.org

For information on building rental please call the Manager of Visitor Services at 800.277.8943 or 617.278.9000.

MARY BAKER EDDY: A Spiritual Journey, The Baker Family, and The Longyear Portrait Gallery exhibits and the Daycroft Library and the Museum store are open to the public.

Admission and parking are free.
Museum hours are:
Monday, Wednesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday 1 - 4 pm
(Closed Tuesdays & holidays)

Read more about planning your visit.

The Daycroft Library offers a rich collection of materials of interest to the casual browser as well as the in-depth researcher. It includes over 900 titles intended to help visitors gain a better understanding of Mrs. Eddy, her work and the times in which she lived. Among the library's holdings are those written or compiled by early workers in the Christian Science movement. These pieces, including scrapbooks of photographs and newspaper clippings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, are unique to Longyear. Scrapbooks have been reproduced photographically to protect the fragile originals. Staff members are on hand to answer questions or assist with research.

Take the D-train on the Green line to the Chestnut Hill stop. Walk south (on the other side of the tracks from the parking lot) along the fence to Middlesex Road (look for the blue sign with white lettering on the brick post directing you to Longyear). Dunster Road will be directly in front of you, and you will see the Longwood Cricket Club's tennis courts on the right. Cross Middlesex Road and walk along Dunster Road to the museum, which is on the left side at the end of the block - a five-minute walk.

For more information on public transportation visit the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

From Route 128/95 take the Route 9 East exit (#20A) toward Brookline and Boston. Continue along Route 9 for 3.5 miles, passing the General Cinema and Star Market on the left. Move into the left-hand turn lane as you pass the cinema and Star Market. At the traffic lights, turn left onto Hammond Street; there is a CVS drugstore on the left corner. From Hammond Street, take the first right onto Middlesex Road, and then the first right onto Dunster Road. The museum is on the left side at the end of the block.

From Boston take Route 9 westbound. (Note: In Boston Route 9 is called Huntington Avenue; in Brookline/Chestnut Hill Route 9 is called Boylston Street.) Longyear Museum is located approximately one mile beyond the Chestnut Hill Avenue intersection and 1/4 mile past the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association. Just after the Benevolent Association, you will pass Norfolk Road. The museum is on the next corner - Dunster Road - at the end of a wrought-iron fence on the right. Take the first right into the Museum parking lot.

If you miss Dunster Road, take the next right - Hammond Street. From Hammond Street take the first right onto Middlesex Road, and then the first right onto Dunster Road. The Museum is on the left side at the end of the block.

Get directions from Google Maps.

Take the Outbound Green line D-train marked Riverside to the Chestnut Hill stop. Walk south (across the tracks from the car parking lot) up along the sidewalk by the chain-link fence to Middlesex Road (look for the blue sign with white lettering on the brick post directing you to Longyear). Dunster Road will be directly in front of you and you will see the Longwood Cricket Club's tennis courts on the right. Cross Middlesex Road and walk along Dunster Road to the museum, which is at the end of the block - a five-minute walk.

You may want to allow one to three hours for a museum visit. This includes viewing an orientation video about Mary Baker Eddy, an audio guide tour of the main exhibit, and a visit to the Daycroft Library.

All the houses are open from May through October, except where noted.

Swampscott, Mass.
Open by appointment. 781.599.1853

Rumney, N.H.
May 1 – October 31
Tues – Sat 10am – 4pm 603.786.9943

North Groton, N.H. (Tours begin at Rumney)
May 1 – October 31
Open by appointment. 603.786.9943

Stoughton, Mass.
By appointment only. 800.277.8943, ext. 100

Concord, N.H.
May 1- October 31: Mon & Sat 11am – 2pm and by appointment.
November 1 – April 30: By appointment only. 603.225.3444

Amesbury, Mass.
May 1 – October 31
First two Saturday of each month 10 am - 4 pm
and by appointment. 800.277.8943, ext. 100

Chestnut Hill & Lynn, Mass.
May 1 – October 31
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Reservations required at least 24 hours in advance. 800.277.8943, ext. 100.

Each Historic House can be toured in 30 minutes to an hour with the exception of the Chestnut Hill home that takes one hour or more.

You can give online, or you can contact the Development Department at 800.277.8943 or 617.278.9000

For more information on supporting Longyear, please visit our Support Longyear section.

Membership brings you these benefits:

• Entrance to the Members’ Vault on the Longyear website, with access to documents, films, audio books, and more.
• Biannual newsletter "A Report to Members"
• 10% discount on Museum store purchases and programs, special introductory discounts on new releases from Longyear Museum Press

For more information please call our Membership & Outreach Coordinator at 800.277.8943 ext. 222, or contact her via e-mail at .

The Living Stones, bricks engraved with the names of those whose lives have been touched by Mary Baker Eddy's discovery of Christian Science, are part of the Pleasant View Walk, located on a path on the museum's grounds just beyond the Pleasant View Gate.

If you need help locating a particular brick or would like to purchase one, please call our Development Department 800.277.8943 or 617.278.9000, or ask for assistance at the front desk, or click the button bellow to purchase online.

Longyear is an independent historical museum, focusing on the history of Mrs. Eddy. The museum plays no pastoral role. Longyear has no direct association with The Mary Baker Eddy Library. The Longyear staff uses the library as a valuable resource for research.

Longyear has no formal connection with the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association, which is located about ¼ mile east of the museum.