Nichols House Museum

The Nichols House Museum is a meticulously preserved 1804 townhouse on Beacon Hill, offering an intimate glimpse into the domestic life of a well-to-do Boston family. The museum was the lifelong home of Rose Standish Nichols, a landscape architect, author, and peace activist, who lived here from 1885 until her death in 1960. Visitors can explore four floors of period rooms filled with original furniture, art, and decorative arts collected by the Nichols family during their world travels. The house retains its original floor plan, with highlights including a grand parlor, a cozy library, and a charming walled garden designed by Rose herself. Guided tours provide detailed stories about the family's history, the house's architectural features, and Rose's remarkable career in a time when few women worked professionally. Located on Mount Vernon Street, the museum is a quiet retreat from the bustling city, offering a personal connection to Boston's past.

Don't miss

• Guided tour of four floors with original Nichols family furnishings and art
• The walled garden designed by Rose Standish Nichols, a rare urban oasis
• Rose's personal collection of Asian and European decorative arts
• The grand parlor with a marble fireplace and period chandeliers
• Insight into the life of a pioneering female landscape architect

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Nichols House Museum

Cheapest way inEdward Hopper House Museum Entry Ticket4.6★ · 35 travelers1–2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$10 per personSee dates →Most bookedBoston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise4.6★ · 9,736 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$62 per personSee dates →Top ratedBoston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour4.9★ · 7,264 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$39 per personSee dates →

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Know before you go

• Tours are guided and last about 45 minutes; arrive early to check in.
• Photography is not allowed inside the house to protect the artifacts.
• Wear comfortable shoes as there are stairs and no elevator.
• Audio guides are not available; the tour is led by a docent.

A bit of history

Built in 1804, the house was purchased by Dr. Arthur Nichols in 1885. His daughter, Rose Standish Nichols, lived there for 75 years and bequeathed it as a museum upon her death in 1960. The house is a rare example of a Beacon Hill home preserved with its original contents intact.