House Tours and Show Houses

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Historic New England House Tours & Garden Tours

Don't you just love touring through historical homes and gardens that have been decorated for special events or by designers.... find out where some of these great houses are here on New England Fine Living, your luxury living portal.

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Houses & Gardens

The Trustees of Reservations in New England, manage a collection of historic houses and gardens open to the public in Berkshires Region, Pioneer Valley Region, Greater Boston, and Northeast Massachusetts. From the Colonial Era to the Modern Movement, these historic properties represent a preserved timeline of architecture and design over the past 300 years.

Click Here for all of their tours

Visitors can explore these properties through organized tours led by trained guides, or in some cases, with self-guided interpretive brochures. All proceeds directly support conservation work at each property.

BERKSHIRES MASSACHUSETTS

Ashintully Gardens, Tyringham MA

Gaelic meaning "brow of the hill", Ashintully features grassy terraces, fountains, statuary, and ponds. Self-guided garden tours offered mid-June through mid-September, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, 1 to 5 pm. Please do not visit at other days or times. Group tours for 15 or more by prior appointment at $5 per person; call 413/298-3239.

The Colonel John Ashley House, Sheffield MA

Visit this anchor site on the African American Trail where Mum Bett took a courageous stand for freedom that helped end slavery in Massachusetts. Explore Colonial life and times with the Colonel Ashley family.

Guided house tours offered Saturdays and Sundays, May 23 – Columbus Day | 10am – 5pm. Last tour departs at 4pm. Members: FREE. Nonmembers: adult $5, child (6-12) $3. Group house tours for 15 or more receive a discount; call 413/298-8146.

The Folly at Field Farm, Williamstown MA

Award-winning 1965 design by Ulrich Franzen epitomizes the Modern Movement. Guided house tours offered Saturdays, June 13 – October 11 | 12noon – 5pm. Members: FREE. Nonmembers: adult $5, child (6-12) $3. Fee includes self-guided tour of the sculpture garden. Tours of Field Farm's bed & breakfast (Guest House at Field Farm) by appointment only; call 413/298-8123.

The Mission House, Stockbridge MA

Tour the home of the first missionary to the Stockbridge Mohicans and visit the Indian Museum. Try out a brand new family-friendly Quest to explore what Stockbridge village was like when it was known as Indian Town.

Daily guided house and garden tours offered May 23 – Columbus Day | 10am – 5pm. Last tour departs at 4pm. Trustees Members free. Nonmembers: adult $6, child (6-12) $3. Group tours offered by appointment, and groups of 15 or more receive a discount; call 413/298-3239.

Naumkeag, Stockbridge MA

Tour a famous Berkshire country estate in a spectacular setting with delightful gardens by celebrated landscape architect Fletcher Steele. Try the brand new garden audio tour and during the month of May, catch the tree peonies in bloom.

Daily guided house tours and self-guided garden tours with interpretive brochure offered May 23 – Columbus Day | 10am – 5pm. Last tour departs at 4pm. House & Garden, Members: FREE. Nonmembers: adult $10, child (6-12) $3. Garden only, Members: FREE. Nonmembers: adult $12, child (6-12) $3. Group house tours for 15 or more receive a discount; call 413/298-8146.

PIONEER VALLEY REGION

The William Cullen Bryant Homestead, Cummington MA

Victorian-era home the one of America's foremost 19th century poets. Guided house tours offered June 28 through Columbus Day, Saturday-Sunday, and Monday holidays, 1-5PM. Members: FREE. Nonmembers: adult $5, child (6-12) $2.50. Group house tours for 10 or more receive a discount; call 413/634-2244.

Self-guided landscape tours available year-round with interpretive tour brochure.

GREATER BOSTON

Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, Canton MA

Come enjoy this twentieth-century estate featuring a country home, farm buildings, manicured lawns, and a walled garden. Once a farm known as Cherry Hill, Dr. Arthur Tracey Cabot hired architect Charles Platt to design a complex of buildings, gardens, and open fields.

Tuesday, May 26; Saturday, May 30; Tuesday, June 2; Tuesday, June 9; Saturday, June 13 10AM – 12NOON

Members: Free; Nonmembers; $5. Space limited. Please pre-register by calling 781.784.0567 x7001.

The Old Manse, Concord MA

Overlooking the historic North Bridge, this National Historic Landmark was once home to Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Guided house tours offered Saturday, April 18 through Saturday, October 31. Monday – Saturday, 10AM – 5PM; Sunday and holidays, 12 NOON – 5PM.

Tours depart every 30 minutes. Last tour departs at 4:30 pm. House tours: Trustees Members: FREE. Nonmembers: adult $8, child (6-12) $5, senior/student (with ID) $7. Group tours by appointment, and groups of 15 or more receive a discount; call 978/369-3909.

Self-guided landscape tours available when house is open using interpretive tour brochure.

NORTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS

Great House at Castle Hill, The Crane Estate, Ipswich MA

A national treasure, this magnificent mansion offers an opulent glimpse of the Crane family’s life in the roaring 20’s. Tours feature beautifully appointed rooms with ornate woodcarvings, luxurious Italian marble, sterling silver fixtures, and more.

Beginning May 27, Wednesdays – Thursdays 10AM – 3PM; Fridays – Saturdays 10AM – 1PM (except July 4th)

First Wednesdays, June 3 through September 2 | 10AM - 7PM.

Members: free. Nonmembers: Adult $10, Child $5. Minimum age: 8 years old (16 without adult). Group tours by appointment. Call 978.921.1944 x4009.

Historic Landscape Tours of Castle Hill, The Crane Estate, Ipswich MA

Take a guided historic walking tour of this grand, early 20th century summer estate by the sea and learn about the designs of Boston landscape architects Olmsted Bros. and Arthur Shurcliff.

Thursdays & Saturdays, May 28 through October 10, except July 4th | 10AM. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Bring comfortable footwear and water bottle. Members: Free. Nonmembers: $5. Minimum age: 8 years old (16 without adult).

Paine House at Greenwood Farm, Ipswich MA

Discover the unique charm of this 1694 house on its original saltwater farm location. Tours focus on first-period architecture construction, archaeology, and the Colonial Revival period.

Sat. June 6 | 11AM - 4PM FREE ADMISSION

Sun. June 7 | 1 - 4PM

July 4 - 5 | 1 - 4PM

Sat. July 11 | 11AM - 4PM

Sat. Aug. 1 | 11AM - 4PM

Sun. Aug. 2 | 1 - 4PM

Sat. Sept. 5 | 11AM -4PM

Sun. Sept. 6 | 1 - 4PM

Sept. 26 - 27 | 1 - 4PM (Trials & Sails) FREE ADMISSION

Sat. Oct. 3 | 11AM - 4PM

Sun. Oct. 4 | 1 - 4PM (house tours) and Jim Berry Bird Program 2PM

Last tour starts at 3PM. Members: free. Nonmembers: Adult $8, Child $5. Minimum age: 8 years old (16 without adult). Grounds free to all from 8AM-sunset. Group tours by appointment. Call 978.921.1944 x4009.

Long Hill, Beverly MA

The Long Hill gardens are beautiful for a stroll any day. Come refresh your spirit and enjoy a self-guided tour. Self-guided landscape tours available, free to all, year-round using interpretive tour brochure. Brochures and maps are also available at the bulletin board.

The Stevens-Coolidge Place, North Andover MA

Step back in time and learn how the Coolidge family transformed a 1700’s family farm into a bucolic summer estate in the early 1900’s. House features original collections, murals and unique garden glimpses.

Guided house tours offered first Thursdays from 6 - 7PM starting May 30 through August. Free. Donations gratefully accepted. (one-hour tour)

Grounds free to all from 8AM-sunset. Group tours by appointment.

Call 978.921.1944 x4009.

One of my true passions is touring historical homes in New England. When you think of it, we are such a young country, but the history and homes in New England speak volumes about our ancestors and those before us. Being an interior designer, I love to see the unique New England style interiors and decor that have been preserved by some great groups such as the Trustees of Reservations.