Jackson Homestead and Museum

The Jackson Homestead and Museum is a historic house museum located in the heart of Newton, Massachusetts. Built in 1809, this Federal-style home was once the residence of the Jackson family, prominent local abolitionists who sheltered escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad. Today, the museum offers a glimpse into early 19th-century domestic life, with period rooms furnished with original Jackson family artifacts, including furniture, textiles, and kitchen tools. Visitors can explore the herb garden, the barn with agricultural tools, and a special exhibit on Newton's role in the abolitionist movement. What makes the Jackson Homestead distinctive is its focus on social history: the museum tells the stories of the people who lived and worked here, including the enslaved individuals once held by the family before they became abolitionists. The museum also hosts rotating exhibits on local history, from the Industrial Revolution to immigration. It's a small but deeply informative museum, ideal for history buffs and families looking for an educational outing.

Don't miss

• See the original 'hidey-hole' in the basement where fugitive slaves were concealed during the Underground Railroad era.
• Examine the 19th-century kitchen with its cast-iron stove and period cooking utensils.
• Stroll through the restored herb garden, featuring plants used for cooking and medicine in the 1800s.
• View the exhibit on Newton's abolitionist movement, including letters and photographs from the era.
• Visit the carriage barn to see a collection of antique farm tools and a sleigh.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Jackson Homestead and Museum

Cheapest way inEdward Hopper House Museum Entry Ticket4.6★ · 35 travelers1–2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$10 per personSee dates →Most bookedCountry Music Hall of Fame and Museum Admission4.6★ · 2,061 travelers2–4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$32 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleSelf-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Yellowstone and Grand Teton4.6★ · 54 travelers8–24 hoursFree cancellationFrom$33 per personSee dates →

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Know before you go

• Check the museum's calendar for special events like candlelight tours or lectures.
• The museum offers scavenger hunts for children; ask at the front desk.
• Photography is allowed without flash in most areas.
• Street parking is free but limited; consider taking the T to avoid parking hassles.

A bit of history

The house was built in 1809 for Timothy Jackson, a farmer and later a state legislator. His son, William Jackson, became a vocal abolitionist, and the home served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The museum was established in 1950 to preserve this legacy.