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The Mary Baker Eddy Historic Houses are Open for the 2024 Visiting Season

Now that spring is here, are some of you diving into spring-cleaning tasks around the house and in the yard?

Like many of you, Longyear Museum staff are busy with dusting, vacuuming, airing out, and completing a range of post-winter touch-up projects … except we’re doing it in eight houses, not just one! But every aspect of this work is a joy to us, as we prepare to welcome visitors into each of the Mary Baker Eddy Historic Houses in the Museum’s collection.

Vacuuming at the Rumney, New Hampshire, home where Mrs. Eddy (then Mrs. Patterson) lived from 1860 to 1862.
Vacuuming at the Rumney, New Hampshire, home where Mrs. Eddy (then Mrs. Patterson) lived from 1860 to 1862.
More hands make light work in the North Groton historic house, New Hampshire.
More hands make light work in the North Groton historic house, New Hampshire.
Braving the spring chill to shake out rugs in the open air. (North Groton)
Braving the spring chill to shake out rugs in the open air. (North Groton)
Refreshing the furnishings (North Groton).
Refreshing the furnishings (North Groton).
Making sure to get all the dust out of a mattress (North Groton).
Making sure to get all the dust out of a mattress (North Groton).
Clearning out the Rumney barn, which still has its traditional farm tools along the wall.
Clearning out the Rumney barn, which still has its traditional farm tools along the wall.
Dusting one of Mrs. Eddy's carriages, on display at Longyear Museum.
Dusting one of Mrs. Eddy's carriages, on display at Longyear Museum.

Individually, each home tells a distinct chapter of Mrs. Eddy’s story—of her decades spent in search and discovery of the Science of healing; of her years of refining the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,  and establishing the Church of Christ, Scientist, and launching its key publications; or of her foresight and achievements in leading the Church and cementing its structures and systems to serve future generations.

Taken together, the information, artifacts, and guided tours at all the Historic Houses compass the wide arc of Mrs. Eddy’s eventful and impactful roles as Discoverer, Founder, and Leader of Christian Science.

Visiting the Historic Houses

CLICK HERE for information about dates and times the houses will be open for the 2024 season.

  • Amesbury, Lynn, and Swampscott, Massachusetts, have a variety of open hours; though we recommend reserving in advance by call us.
  • The Mary Baker Eddy Houses in North Groton, Rumney, and Concord, New Hampshire, and in Stoughton, Massachusetts, will be open only by prior appointment this season.
  • Mrs. Eddy’s final home, 400 Beacon Street in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, will reopen to the general public from June 14 onwards. We will soon post information about purchasing tour tickets online.
Annual Meeting Tours of 400 Beacon Street

The response to special preview tours scheduled for the weekend of the Annual Meeting of The Mother Church has been tremendous! For out-of-town visitors who may be arriving in Boston earlier, there are still a few spaces left for Friday, May 31. (June 3 and 4 are sold out.)

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Happy spring – and we look forward to welcoming you in person very soon!