Experience the rich variety of Boston's Victorian architecture.
Boston is a dream destination for architectural history buffs. The city is known for its Victorian-style architecture, including Queen Anne, Second Empire, Italianate and Stick-Eastlake. Most Bostonian Victorians are Second Empire style, characterized by iron detailing and short, steep mansard roofs, or Stick-Eastlake style, with their shingled exteriors and squared bay windows.
Gibson House
The Gibson House was built from 1859 to 1860 in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. Unlike most other Boston homes of the era, the Gibson House maintains its original floor plan, decor and furnishings. History aficionados will appreciate the wallpaper, carpets and textiles that remain in perfect condition. Recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2001, the Gibson House is filled with the original owners' personal possessions and furniture; the servants' quarters have also been preserved. Four of the house's six levels are open to visitors. Hourlong guided tours operate Wednesday through Sunday year-round.
Gibson House
137 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02116
617- 267-6338
thegibsonhouse.org/
Victorian Back Bay Tour
Boston by Foot offers walking tours of Boston's most famous neighborhoods. Since 1976, Boston by Foot has operated regularly scheduled daily tours from May to October, and special custom tours the rest of the year. The Victorian Back Bay tour takes you through the Back Bay neighborhood, created in the 1800s. Walk down the wide sidewalks of this historic neighborhood, designed to imitate the streets of Paris. Victorian architecture on this tour includes "grand rows of Back Bay townhouses, Trinity Church, the Boston Public Library and New Old South Church."
Boston by Foot
77 N. Washington Street
Boston, MA 02114
617- 367-2345
bostonbyfoot.org/
Boston by Foot Tours
Explore more Victorian architecture in the Dorchester district, settled before Boston even existed, on the Ashmont Hill tour. It features architecture in the "shingle style" of Edwin Lewis, the Colonial Revival style of Clarence Blackhall, the Gothic Revival style of Ralph Adams Cram and the Queen Anne styles of Arthur Vinal and Harrison Henry Atwood. The Commonwealth Avenue tour offers a glimpse of Boston's Victorian past, including several blocks of Victorian homes designed in a Parisian style. See Victorian-era brownstones, the Ames-Webster mansion and the Burrage Mansion. The Jamaica Plain tour takes you through one of Boston's oldest neighborhoods, first settled in the 1630s. This tour features several Victorian houses and Emerald Necklace parks.
Boston by Foot
77 N. Washington Street
Boston, MA 02114
617- 367-2345
bostonbyfoot.org
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