Guided Tour of the Vassall-Craigie-Longfellow House

Guided tour in the Longfellow House Parlor

NPS Photo/Sam DiMatteo

What does this house reveal about our shared past? Here, history was made, and history was written. For over 200 years, the inhabitants of this house shaped American history, culture, and identity. 

Entrance to the house is by guided tour only, and all tours are free of charge. Check the current tour schedule here. Before entering the house, your guide will help you store any bags, backpacks, jackets, and other bulky items in a locked closet in the Visitor Center. Learn more about site accessibility.

The rooms in the historic houses are generally small and contain original furnishings and museum collections. Tours are limited to 10 visitors in order to preserve and protect the structures and their contents.

Details

Duration

30-50 Minutes

Activity

Guided Tours

Join a park ranger for an interactive exploration of this home's layered history. For more information and to pick your tour experience, click here.

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters

Begin your tour in the Visitor Center at the rear of the historic house.

Reservations

Yes

Call 617-876-4491 to reserve space on a tour:

• Advance reservations are recommended for Deep Dive and Family Tours.
• Same-day only phone or walk-up reservations are available for Hourly House Tours.
• Reservations are required for groups of 8 or more.
• Tours outside of the regular operating season (late May-October) are available by reservation.

Season

Summer, Fall

Tours are available without reservation on a regular schedule during the open season, late May through October.

In the closed season, November through early May, tours are available Monday to Friday with advance reservations.

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

Accessibility to the first floor of the Vassall-Craigie-Longfellow House for those with limited mobility and/or those in wheelchairs is provided by a lift in the visitor center.

House tours require moderate to long periods of standing. Portable stools are available from rangers upon request.

The exhibits rooms on the second floor are accessed by a flight of stairs with a multi-level landing at the turn. The steps (ten below the landing, three at the landing, and eight above the landing) are historic, worn, and sometimes uneven. Visitors are asked to use the handrail for stability. The front and back portions of the house are separated by a flight of stairs: eight steps down and eight back up.

Learn more about accessibility and available accommodations on the park website.