Neighbor News
Explore Beacon Hill/Tour the Prescott House
As the fall weather arrives, why not spend some time exploring the history of Beacon Hill? Visit one of the lesser known House Museums
Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a Boston Brahmin living in one of the beautiful homes of Beacon Hill during the nineteenth century? Come take a tour of the Prescott House and see what the interior looks like and hear about the families who called this house home!
The William Hickling Prescott House is a treasure of Federal style architecture located right on Beacon Street across from the Boston Common. Built in 1808, this beautiful Beacon Hill townhouse tells the story of Boston. The first owner, James Smith Colburn, hired the renowned architect Asher Benjamin using riches derived from his import/export business. Many original details remain, including a stunning Doric colonnade on the lower level.
From 1845 to 1859 the noted American historian and author, William Hickling Prescott lived here and wrote many of his most important works in his third floor study. The house was updated (just a bit) in the early 20th century to make way for the ‘Gilded Age’.
The Prescott House is the headquarters of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in Massachusetts who maintain it as a house museum filled with lovely period antiques, not to mention an extensive collection of antique costumes (18th-20th c), which is on a rotating display.
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Tours last about 45 minutes and depart at :15 after the hour. The cost is $7. Private and group tours are available by appointment only. We are a member of the Blue Star Museums Initiative: admission for active duty military personnel and their families is always free. We are open Saturdays through November 21st from 12-4pm.
