Longfellow House Opens Doors for Holiday Celebration Dec. 12-13
This event will take place on Friday, Dec. 12, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the historic site, at 105 Brattle St. in Cambridge.
Celebrate the holidays with history. The Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and the Friends of the Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters invite the public to a free holiday open house.
This event will take place on Friday, Dec. 12, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the historic site, at 105 Brattle St. in Cambridge. On Saturday, Dec. 13, National Park Service rangers will hold free, 30-minute guided tours of the Longfellow House first floor, decorated for the holidays, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Advance registration is required.
According to the National Park Service's website, Brattle Street was home to the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, his wife Fanny, and their children. Letters, gifts, and cherished family objects preserved in the site's museum collection tell the story of how the Longfellows celebrated the days between Christmas and New Year's as a time spent with family.
Here's a look at the activities planned for Dec. 12:
- 1 p.m.-4 p.m.: Early bird open house at 105 Brattle St.
Explore the Longfellow House, decorated in period style with special seasonal objects from the site's museum collection. The last early bird entrance to the Longfellow House is at 3:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.: Sunset reading of “Christmas Bells” in front of 105 Brattle St. (outside)
Take part in a sunset reading of Longfellow's beloved 1864 poem “Christmas Bells” in front of the Longfellow House (outside). - 4 p.m.-8 p.m.: Family fun and refreshments at 115 Brattle St.
Head to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy's President's House at 115 Brattle St. — known as “the other big yellow house” — for festive family fun, including holiday Victorian carolers on the porch, puppet shows at the top of each hour (from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.), “take-and-make” crafts, and treats for all ages. Cookies and hot beverages will be provided. - 5 p.m.-8 p.m.: Evening open house at 105 Brattle Street
Discover a luminaria display on the grounds and walk through the halls of the Longfellow House, decorated in period style with seasonal objects from the site's museum collection. Live harp music will be performed in the carriage house. The last entrance to the Longfellow House is at 7:45 p.m.
View more information about the events on the Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site's website.
