MISSION
The Gibson House Museum serves as the primary resource for understanding and interpreting a century of life in Boston's Back Bay. We accomplish this by:
*Preserving the 1859 row house and its collections
*Exhibiting and interpreting the house in its urban context to provide education and enjoyment for the general public, students, and scholars
*Relating the stories and lives of the Gibson family and their employees in a way that resonates in the 21st century
· *Promoting an appreciation of Back Bay social history, material culture, literature, and the arts
The Gibson House Museum serves as the primary resource for understanding and interpreting a century of life in Boston's Back Bay. We accomplish this by:
*Preserving the 1859 row house and its collections
*Exhibiting and interpreting the house in its urban context to provide education and enjoyment for the general public, students, and scholars
*Relating the stories and lives of the Gibson family and their employees in a way that resonates in the 21st century
· *Promoting an appreciation of Back Bay social history, material culture, literature, and the arts
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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Preservation and interpretation grants
We are thrilled to announce that the Gibson House Museum has recently been awarded three grants. Work on these projects begins this year.
1. Funding from the George B. Henderson Foundation to restore and repair the exterior brownstone and front-window wells.
2. City of Boston Community Preservation Funds to help with ground-floor structural repairs.
3. Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities (Mass Humanities)/National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funding to reinterpret the ground floor and develop a new, servant-focused tour.
The museum also received a $2,500 CARES operating support grant from Mass Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), for which it is very grateful!
Spotlights
The Gibson House Museum was featured in 2019's "Little Women" movie. The museum stands in for Jo's New York boardinghouse and publisher's home. Read more about Little Women at the Gibson House here.
The museum has also been profiled by
The Boston Ballet
Boston Pride Guide
Boston Homes magazine
"Chronicle"
Harvard magazine
"Museum Open House"
Board of DirectorsRuth Ann Kupfer, President
Edward W. Gordon, Vice President Samuel H. Duncan, Treasurer Susan Ashbrook, Secretary Jacqueline Blombach Frances Duffly Todd S. Gernes Reed A. Gochberg Lorraine Hanley David R. Hocker Debbie Hsu Lorie K. Komlyn Sharon Kong-Perring Lindsay Leard-Coolidge Kerry Miles Kate E. Rettstadt Lauren Thomas Katherine B. Winter |
Museum staff
Michelle M. Coughlin, Museum Administrator
Meghan Gelardi Holmes, Curator Barbara Callahan, Museum & Curatorial Assistant Carlos Lu, Senior Tour Guide/Educator Rhan Kim, Tour Guide |
If you are interested in volunteering or unpaid internships at the Gibson House Museum, please contact us at info@thegibsonhouse.orgi.
online reviews
"If there [ever] was ... living history, this is it! ...if you love old, restored homes, this one is for you."
Reviewed August 2019 on TripAdvisor
"Great tour! This is an interesting house with a unique story. All of the rooms on the first three levels are accessible, and the rooms are authentically arranged with mostly original Gibson family furnishings. Though there is a tour guide, you can go at your own pace and are given a chance to walk around each room. Tour guide was friendly and relatable." Reviewed July 2019 on TripAdvisor
"Really enjoyed this insight into life in old Boston. Very informative visit. Lovely rooms and the kitchen/bathroom as ...
[they were] in [the] early 1900s. Do ask questions." Reviewed September 2018 on TripAdvisor
"I had the best time at the Gibson House Museum. The tour guide was super- friendly and knowledgeable. The house itself is charming [and] well preserved and there is so much to see....If you love history and museums, then you will enjoy this tour.... Highly recommend!" Reviewed April 2018 on TripAdvisor
Reviewed August 2019 on TripAdvisor
"Great tour! This is an interesting house with a unique story. All of the rooms on the first three levels are accessible, and the rooms are authentically arranged with mostly original Gibson family furnishings. Though there is a tour guide, you can go at your own pace and are given a chance to walk around each room. Tour guide was friendly and relatable." Reviewed July 2019 on TripAdvisor
"Really enjoyed this insight into life in old Boston. Very informative visit. Lovely rooms and the kitchen/bathroom as ...
[they were] in [the] early 1900s. Do ask questions." Reviewed September 2018 on TripAdvisor
"I had the best time at the Gibson House Museum. The tour guide was super- friendly and knowledgeable. The house itself is charming [and] well preserved and there is so much to see....If you love history and museums, then you will enjoy this tour.... Highly recommend!" Reviewed April 2018 on TripAdvisor