Frequently Asked Questions
The Museum
What is Longyear Museum?
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 pioneer Christian Scientists who helped her establish the worldwide religion.
Why is it called Longyear Museum if it is about Mary Baker Eddy?
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.
Was Mrs. Longyear a friend of Mary Baker Eddy?
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.
Is this the same Longyear Museum that was once on Seaver Street in Brookline, Massachusetts?
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.
Do you answer historical questions about Mary Baker Eddy and early workers?
Yes, call the Curatorial Department at 800.277.8943, ext. 170; write the department at 1125 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-1811; or e-mail letters@longyear.org
How can I do in-depth research at Longyear Museum?
Direct requests in writing to the Curatorial Department, 1125 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-1811, or e-mail letters@longyear.org
Do you rent your building and/or your historic houses for functions or meetings?
For information on building rental, please call 800.277.8943.
Visiting the Museum
What are the hours of the Museum?
MARY BAKER EDDY: A Spiritual Journey, The Baker Family, and The Longyear Portrait Gallery exhibits, the Daycroft Library, and the Museum Store are open to the public.
Admission and parking are free.
Museum hours are:
Monday, Thursday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday 1 - 4 pm
(Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and holidays)
Read more about planning your visit.
Admission and parking are free.
Museum hours are:
Monday, Thursday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday 1 - 4 pm
(Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and holidays)
Read more about planning your visit.
What is in your library?
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.
How do I get to Longyear Museum by public transportation?
Take the MBTA's Green line D-train to the Chestnut Hill stop. Walk south (across the tracks from the car parking lot) 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.
For more information about public transportation, please visit the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
For more information about public transportation, please visit the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
How do I get to Longyear Museum by car?
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.
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.
Is there transportation from downtown Boston to Longyear?
Take the Outbound MBTA 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.
How long should I allow to visit the Museum?
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.
Mary Baker Eddy Historic Houses
What are the hours for the Mary Baker Eddy Historic Houses?
All the houses are open from May through October, except where noted.
Swampscott, Mass.
May 1 – October 31
Weds – Sat 10am – 4pm; Sun 2 - 5pm 781.599.1853
Rumney, N.H. (Tours paired with North Groton house)
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.
May 1 – October 31
Open by appointment. 800.277.8943, ext. 100
Concord, N.H.
May 1 - October 31: Mon and Sat 11am – 2pm and by appointment.
Nov 1 – April 30: Open by appointment. 603.225.3444
Amesbury, Mass.
May 1 – October 31
Open by appointment. 800.277.8943, ext. 100
Chestnut Hill, Mass.
All Year
Mondays and Fridays.
Reservations required at least 48 hours in advance. 800.277.8943, ext. 100
Lynn, Mass.
May 1 - October 31
Mornings on the first Friday of each month.
Reservations required at least 48 hours in advance. 800.277.8943, ext. 100
Swampscott, Mass.
May 1 – October 31
Weds – Sat 10am – 4pm; Sun 2 - 5pm 781.599.1853
Rumney, N.H. (Tours paired with North Groton house)
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.
May 1 – October 31
Open by appointment. 800.277.8943, ext. 100
Concord, N.H.
May 1 - October 31: Mon and Sat 11am – 2pm and by appointment.
Nov 1 – April 30: Open by appointment. 603.225.3444
Amesbury, Mass.
May 1 – October 31
Open by appointment. 800.277.8943, ext. 100
Chestnut Hill, Mass.
All Year
Mondays and Fridays.
Reservations required at least 48 hours in advance. 800.277.8943, ext. 100
Lynn, Mass.
May 1 - October 31
Mornings on the first Friday of each month.
Reservations required at least 48 hours in advance. 800.277.8943, ext. 100
Is there an admission charge at the houses?
The Chestnut Hill house has a suggested donation of $8.00.
All of the other houses have a suggested donation of $5.00.
Children under 12 and Longyear members are free to all houses.
All of the other houses have a suggested donation of $5.00.
Children under 12 and Longyear members are free to all houses.
How long should I allow to visit the Mary Baker Eddy Historic Houses?
The Concord, Amesbury, Lynn, Stoughton, and Swampscott tours run between 40 minutes to an hour.
The Rumney house and North Groton house require about two hours due to travel time to and from each house.
The Chestnut Hill house tour takes one hour or more, due to its size and large property.
Is parking available at all of the houses?
Most of Longyear's historic houses have small parking lots for visitors to use. The house in Concord, N.H. is the one location where only on-street parking is available.
Are the houses wheelchair accessible?
The houses are not fully wheelchair accessible.
Supporting Longyear
How can I make a donation to support Longyear?
You can give online, by mail, or by telephone at 800.277.8943, ext. 220.
For more information on supporting Longyear, please visit our Support Longyear section.
For more information on supporting Longyear, please visit our Support Longyear section.
What are the benefits of membership and how do I join?
Membership brings you these benefits:
- Entrance to the Members’ Vault on the Longyear website, with access to documents, articles, films, audio books, and more
- Biannual newsletter, "Report to Members"
- 10% discount on Museum Store purchases
- Free admission to the Mary Baker Eddy Historic Houses
What are the Living Stones? How do I find a particular one? How do I buy one?
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 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 Office at 800.277.8943, ext. 220; inquire at the front desk during your visit to Longyear; or purchase online.
If you need help locating a particular brick or would like to purchase one, please call our Development Office at 800.277.8943, ext. 220; inquire at the front desk during your visit to Longyear; or purchase online.
What is your connection with:
What is your relationship to The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston (sometimes called the Christian Science Church or The Mother Church) and The Mary Baker Eddy Library?
Longyear is an independent historical museum, focused on the history of Mary Baker 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.
What about the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association?
Longyear has no formal connection with the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association, which is located about ¼ mile east of the Museum.