The People
Between 1859 and 1954, three generations of Gibson family members and dozens of servants lived and worked at 137 Beacon Street. In many ways, their experiences are typical of individuals of their particular gender and social class. And yet, their unique stories allow us to explore this period of Boston’s history through a distinctly personal lens.
Click below to learn more about who lived at 137 Beacon.
The People
Between 1859 and 1954, three generations of Gibson family members and dozens of servants lived and worked at 137 Beacon Street. In many ways, their experiences are typical of individuals of their particular gender and social class. And yet, their unique stories allow us to explore this period of Boston’s history through a distinctly personal lens.
Click below to learn more about who lived at 137 Beacon.
Welcome
Hours
Thursday at 3:00, 4:00 & 5:00 p.m.
Friday-Sunday at 1:00, 2:00, & 3:00 p.m.
These times are subject to change.
Confirm availability by clicking “Purchase Your Tickets” to view the tour calendar.
Tours
The Museum is open to the public year-round by guided tour only. We offer two standard house tours: “At Home with the Gibsons” and “Upstairs, Downstairs: Domestic Service at the Gibson House.” Each tour allows visitors to explore the house and consider issues of class and culture through the stories and objects of the people who lived and worked here. Visitors are invited to take one or both to view the house from the perspective of the family and/or the staff. We also offer specialty house tours on a variety of topics and events throughout the year. All tours are provided in English.
General and specialty tours are available for private groups and classes. They can be arranged at least two weeks in advance by e-mailing info@thegibsonhouse.org. Private and group tours may incur additional fees.
Tickets
Admission
$12 - Adults
$10 - Students and seniors (62+)
$5 - Children (ages 6-12)**
Free - Members
Free - Active duty military personnel and their family, in collaboration with NEA Blue Star Museums
Free - NEMA Members
Free - EBT Cardholders
* Specialty Tour and Event Pricing may vary.
** Tours are not suitable for children ages 5 and under.
Discounts
Museum Members are always admitted free of charge. For more information on how to become a member, see our support page.
We are proud to participate in the National Endowment for the Arts' Blue Star Museums program. The museum also waives admission year round for active-service military families.
We are proud to be a part of the New England Museum Association. The museum offers free admission to museum staff who identify their institutions as NEMA members.
We are proud to participate in the Mass Cultural Council's Card to Culture program in collaboration with the Department of Transitional Assistance, the WIC Nutrition Program, and the Massachusetts Health Connector. EBT cardholders can redeem two free tickets when they book online by selecting a "member" ticket or when they walk in and show their card. See the complete list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.
Visitor Guidelines
The Gibson House Museum is committed to operating within mandatory state and local safety standards. Our staff will follow the guidelines below and we require all visitors to do the same. Please note these policies are subject to change without notice.
Failure to adhere to the guidelines will result in all party members being asked to leave the museum, and no refunds will be given.
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Visitors are required to follow guide instructions very carefully throughout their time at the museum.
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Visitors are asked to wait outside until instructed to enter at the beginning of the tour as our museum does not have a lobby.
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Please do not touch anything while at the museum unless necessary. (Feel free to use the handrails!)
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At the end of the tour, please do not linger inside as the guide will need to start the following tour or close the museum.
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In the event you are running late, the museum guide will wait no longer than 10 minutes before starting the tour. The exterior doors remain locked through the duration of the tour, so if you arrive 10 or more minutes after the tour start time, you will not be allowed to enter the house. Please do your best to arrive in a timely manner. If you know you are going to be late, feel free to call the museum or email info@thegibsonhouse.org to rebook your tour. Refunds will not be given in the case of late arrivals.
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If anyone in your party is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you believe you may have been exposed to the virus, do not visit the museum. We are happy to reschedule any reservation for this purpose.
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We ask that you consider maintaining at least 6 feet distance from anyone not in your household at all time.
What To Expect
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Only one group will be in the museum at a time unless otherwise noted.
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One bathroom is available for public use including hand washing. Visitors are asked to remain with the group once the tour has begun.
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Tours last 45 minutes and will move through 4 floors of the house. Please note that tours include several flights of stairs and the museum does not have an elevator or air conditioning.
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Air filtration systems will be present on each floor.
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The museum does not have a waiting room and the guide may only be able to let you in a few minutes before the tour.
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During Summer months, due to the lack of air conditioning in the building, if the temperature outside rises above 90 degrees fahrenheit, tours may be canceled and refunds will be processed accordingly.
Getting Here
The Gibson House Museum is located at 137 Beacon Street, between Arlington and Berkeley Streets in Boston’s Back Bay.
By Subway:
Take the Green Line to Arlington Street Station and walk roughly 9 minutes. Or, take the Red Line to either Charles Street Station or Park Street Station and walk roughly 14 minutes.
By Bike:
Rent through BLUEbikes, Boston’s bike share system. The nearest bike station is Mugar Way at Beacon Street (a 2-minute walk from the museum).
By Car:
Nearby parking is very limited. Metered parking is $3.75 per hour in Back Bay, Monday through Saturday 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. The Boston Common Garage is another parking option, roughly a 10-minute walk away.