Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters
Historic SiteFree Admission

Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters

Mid-Cambridge
1 - 1.5 hours (including gardens)

About This Exhibition

This elegant Georgian mansion served dual roles in American history. During the Revolutionary War, George Washington used it as his headquarters while planning the Siege of Boston. Later, poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow lived here for 45 years, writing classics like "Paul Revere's Ride." The house museum preserves both periods, with original furnishings, manuscripts, and beautiful gardens.

Exhibition Highlights

1
George Washington's Revolutionary War headquarters
2
Longfellow's original manuscripts and possessions
3
Beautiful formal gardens
4
Guided tours led by National Park Rangers
5
Historic Brattle Street neighborhood

Visitor's Advisory

  • 1.Free admission but advance reservations recommended
  • 2.Guided tours provide rich historical context
  • 3.Beautiful gardens are free to explore year-round
  • 4.Combine with a walk down historic Brattle Street
  • 5.Limited hours off-season (November-April)

Arriving by Rail

Harvard
15 minute walk

Seasonal Notes

Full tours May-October. Gardens open year-round during daylight hours.

HistoricFreeEducationalGardenArchitectureRevolutionary War

Nearby Exhibitions

Plan Your Visit

Hours

Wed-Sun 9:30am-5pm (May-October); Limited hours off-season

Admission

Free (National Park Site)

Address

105 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Best Time to Visit

May-October when house is fully open. Gardens beautiful in spring and summer.

Accessibility

First floor accessible; second floor not accessible

Official Website

Visit Website

Mid-Cambridge

Residential heart between squares

Explore District
Curator's Note

Stand where history happened. Feel appropriately reverent.

Guide to Cambridge

Every attraction tells a story. This one is yours to discover.