Visit
Welcome Back!
Please note museum admission is only available through guided tour, with advanced online ticketing, and in observation of the guidelines below.
TOURS
The Museum is typically open to the public year-round by guided tour. 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 through 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.
General and specialty tours are available for private groups and classes. They can be arranged at least two weeks in advance by calling us at 617.267.6338 or e-mailing info@thegibsonhouse.org.
The museum is currently offering private virtual tours to college classes. Please contact info@thegibsonhouse.org.
General and specialty tours are available for private groups and classes. They can be arranged at least two weeks in advance by calling us at 617.267.6338 or e-mailing info@thegibsonhouse.org.
The museum is currently offering private virtual tours to college classes. Please contact info@thegibsonhouse.org.
tickets
Admission: $10. Members: free or discounted admission. Students and seniors (62+): $8. Children under 12: $3.
**Those holding Groupons should contact info@thegibsonhouse.org to arrange a tour.
Tickets must be purchased in advance (by 11:00 a.m. the morning of), and tours will be limited to 8 people. Tickets will not be available on site. Member tickets are free, but reservations are still required.
At the start of your tour, your tour guide will just need to confirm the ticket purchaser's name and number of tickets. There should be no need to show any confirmation. By purchasing tickets, you agree to adhere to the guidelines below, regardless of COVID-vaccination status.
**Those holding Groupons should contact info@thegibsonhouse.org to arrange a tour.
Tickets must be purchased in advance (by 11:00 a.m. the morning of), and tours will be limited to 8 people. Tickets will not be available on site. Member tickets are free, but reservations are still required.
At the start of your tour, your tour guide will just need to confirm the ticket purchaser's name and number of tickets. There should be no need to show any confirmation. By purchasing tickets, you agree to adhere to the guidelines below, regardless of COVID-vaccination status.
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.
- If anyone in your party is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you believe you may have been exposed to the virus, please do not visit at this time. We are happy to reschedule any visit for this purpose.
- Each person will be required to sign a health affidavit stating that you are not currently sick, that you haven’t been around anyone experiencing COVID-like symptoms, that you have not visited a COVID “hot spot” in the past 30 days, and that you follow CDC-recommended guidelines, such as social distancing and wearing a face mask. This information will also support potential contract tracing.
- Everyone must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth at all times, indoors and out. Masks will not be available for purchase on site.
- We ask that you maintain at least 6 feet distance from anyone not in your household at all times.
- Visitors are required to follow guide instructions very carefully throughout their time at the museum.
- Visitors are asked to wait outside until instructed to enter at the beginning of the tour.
- Please do not touch anything while at the museum unless necessary. (Feel free to use the handrails!)
- Please consult the state website for current travel restrictions for travelers arriving in Massachusetts.
what to expect
- Only one group will be in the museum at a time unless otherwise noted.
- The length and flow of our tour has been adjusted to minimize risk.
- Hand sanitizer is available at the entrance.
- One bathroom is available for use including hand washing. Visitors are not permitted to use the restroom or otherwise leave the group once the tour has begun.
- 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.
- Tour guides will direct when and how you move about the house.
- Air filtration systems will be present on each floor.
- The museum does not have a waiting room and the guide may only be able to let you in a few minutes before the hour.
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.
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.
TRIP ADVISOR REVIEWS
"Great tour!"
Reviewed July 2019
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.
"Absolutely brilliant"
Reviewed April 2018
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....
"Great tour of Victorian-era home"
Reviewed May 2017
It really is a beautiful house and the tour guide was fantastic! If you love history and the Victorian era, this is the perfect tour for you. It really is like stepping into a time machine. Great museum!