Personal Museums
1. Mark Twain House, Hartford, CT
Tiffany interiors feature in the home of the great storyteller. The adjoining museum revolves around Twain (1835–1910) and his contemporaries.
351 Farmington Ave. • 860 247 0998 • Open 9:30am–5:30pm Mon–Sat, noon–5:30pm Sun (Jan–Mar: closed Tue) • Adm • www.marktwainhouse.org
2. Orchard House, Concord, MA
Louisa May Alcott (1832–88) didn’t just set her classic Little Women in Orchard House, she wrote it here, in 1868.399 Lexington Rd. • 978 369 4118 • Open Apr–Oct: 10am–4:30pm Mon–Sat, 1–4:30pm Sun; Nov–Mar: 11am–3pm Mon–Fri, 10am–4:30pm Sat, 1–4:30pm Sun • Adm • www.louisamayalcott.org
3. Longfellow House–Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, Cambridge, MA
A visit to the home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82), one of America’s most influential literary figures, lays bare both his triumphs and his tragedies, like the fire that killed his wife and so scarred his face that he grew his signature beard.105 Brattle St. • 617 876 4491 • Open Jun–Oct: 10am–4:30pm Wed–Sun • www.nps.gov/long
4. The Mount, Lenox, MA
This Berkshires estate dating from 1902 showcases the design and decorating sensibilities of literary giant Edith Wharton.2 Plunkett St. • 413 551 5111 • Open early May–Oct: 10am–5pm daily • Adm • www.edithwharton.org
5. Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Cornish, NH
A house museum evoking the rustic idyll of the art colony that grew up around Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848–1907), America’s leading sculptor of the Beaux-Arts generation.Rte. 12A • 603 675 2175 • Open late May–Oct: 9am–4:30pm daily; grounds open all year • Adm • www.nps.gov/saga
6. Emily Dickinson Museum, Amherst, MA
The richly imaginative vision of poet Emily Dickinson (1830–86) flourished in this highly reclusive world – she rarely left her family home, except to visit her brother next door.280 Main St. • 413 542 8161 • Open Mar–Dec: 11am–4pm Wed–Sun; Jun–Aug: 10am–5pm • Adm • www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org
7. Chesterwood, Stockbridge, MA
The home and studio of Daniel Chester French (1850–1931) vividly recalls the sculptor best known for his seated Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C.’s Lincoln Memorial.4 Williamsville Rd. • 413 298 3579 • Open late May–Oct: 10am–5pm daily • Adm • www.chesterwood.org
8. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum, Boston, MA
This museum chronicles JFK’s 1,000 days in office, and touches on the man behind the myth.Columbia Point • 617 514 1600 • Open 9am–5pm daily • Adm • www.jfklibrary.org
9. Gropius House, Lincoln, MA
Explore the family home of the highly influential architect Walter Gropius (1883–1969).68 Baker Bridge Rd. • 781 259 8098 • Open 11am–4pm Wed–Sun (mid-Oct–May: Sat–Sun only) • Adm • www.historicnewengland.org
10. Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland, ME
The art dynasty of N. C. Wyeth (1882–1945), Andrew Wyeth (1917–2009), and James Wyeth (b.1946) is celebrated here.16 Museum St. • 207 596 6457 • Open 10am–5pm daily (Nov–late May: Wed–Sun) • Adm • www.farnsworthmuseum.org
