In late April, Longyear Museum staff drew back the curtains and let springtime light into our historic houses—from North Groton, New Hampshire, to Beacon Street by Boston. Armed with tools as big as vacuums and some as small as paint brushes, the team carefully cleaned the surfaces and artifacts as they prepared to open the houses to visitors for the season.
With a duster in each hand, intern Wyatt Shipp prepared each space with staff members from the Collections and Historic House departments. In visiting the houses, what has he found out about this daughter of New England—Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered the practical import of Jesus’ teachings and called it “Christian Science”? He says, “What stood out to me the most was how Mrs. Eddy worked to cultivate a sense of home wherever she lived.” He was touched, not only by how Mrs. Eddy’s needs were met, but by how her home was also “unequivocally home for those who worked, lived, and prayed there,” he said.
“Even though it’s quite a bit of work, cleaning the artifacts gives us a chance to be in these spaces and keep track of the items and condition up close,” says Collections team member Debbie Slade Pierce. She says one thing that stands out to her about the houses is “the care that has been given—and is still being given—to show what Mrs. Eddy’s life was like and how it contributed to her discovery of Science and how she passed it on to others.”
Thousands of visitors come each year to see what Longyear’s historic houses are all about. Some are students in schools, some are passersby. “One woman from Bow, New Hampshire, just next door to Concord, asked her husband and son to take her to 62 North State Street for a tour for her birthday! She had heard of Mrs. Eddy and Christian Science and wanted to know more,” tour guide Stacy Teicher explains.
She also remembers a woman who had never heard of Christian Science interjecting with a “Wow!” at the thought that workers in Mary Baker Eddy’s homes were being healed through prayer alone. “You are really turning my world upside down!” Stacy remembers her saying with a smile and an expression of awe.
Many devoted followers of Christian Science also frequent Longyear’s houses. When asked about her favorite houses, Collections Manager Leslie Vollnogle says she holds a special place in her heart for 400 Beacon Street: “I spent more than five years preparing for its opening,” she says.
Overall, “people are impressed with Mrs. Eddy’s life—with how well the tour conveys who she was—and with the high quality of the restoration itself,” says Debbie.
Whether you’re a lifelong student of Christian Science or hearing about Mary Baker Eddy for the first time, historic house visitors “look around and really take in her story in this three-dimensional setting in a deeper way,” says Stacy. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Take a deep dive into this remarkable history for yourself.
Longyear’s historic houses are now open for the season, through Oct. 31. To learn about open hours and how to take a tour, please visit our Historic House page.
