All ages • 90 minutes • Guided tour
Step into the revolutionary world of Mary Baker Eddy at her historic homes in Swampscott and Lynn, Massachusetts. Discover where breakthrough healing and the founding of Christian Science began amid charming coastal settings.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Hang tight — photos are loading
This usually takes just a second.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
90 minutes
Fitness Level
Suitable for most visitors comfortable with light walking and stairs
Wildlife
History
Mary Baker Eddy’s writings and church founded here in the late 1800s shaped a distinct American spiritual movement with worldwide influence.
Conservation
Both historic sites emphasize preservation of architectural integrity and promote educational efforts to respect local cultural heritage.
Longyear Museum
All ages • 90 minutes • Guided tour
Longyear Museum in Newton, Massachusetts preserves and interprets the historic homes and legacy of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science. The museum offers guided historic-house tours and educational experiences that explore Eddy’s life, residence, and foundational moments for her teachings. Exhibits and guided tours focus on properties associated with Eddy, including the Chestnut Hill house at 400 Beacon Street, the Amesbury residence where key events in her life occurred, and the Swampscott and Lynn houses tied to her recovery and early publishing work.
Longyear Museum’s programming emphasizes historical accuracy and contextual interpretation. Knowledgeable guides present documented facts about the homes, their use as residences and headquarters, and the events that connect them to the development of Christian Science. Visitors encounter artifacts, period furnishings, and interpretive displays that illustrate daily life and organizational history during the era when Eddy lived and worked.
The museum serves researchers, students, and visitors interested in religious history, American social history, and preservation of early twentieth-century domestic and institutional architecture. Educational materials accompany tours to support learning and further study. Longyear Museum collaborates with historians and conservators to maintain collections and present information grounded in primary sources and archival research.
Visiting Longyear Museum provides an opportunity to explore the physical places central to Mary Baker Eddy’s life and to understand the origins of Christian Science through guided tours, exhibits, and documented historical interpretation. Tour schedules, admission details, special-event listings, and researcher appointments are available through the museum's official channels for accurate visitor planning and updates.
Tours Offered
3
Chestnut Hill, Amesbury, Swampscott/Lynn
Typical Tour Length
90 minutes
Chestnut Hill guided tour length
Tour Focus
Mary Baker Eddy homes
Historic residences and headquarters
Location
Newton, MA
Museum base for regional tours
Book a tour to walk the rooms where Mary Baker Eddy lived and worked—discover documented history in Newton, MA and nearby historic homes.
Wear comfortable shoes for walking
Tours involve standing, some walking, and stair climbing, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
Arrive early to secure parking
Free parking is available but limited at both locations; plan to arrive 10 minutes before your tour.
Photography guidelines
Photography for personal use is allowed without flash; commercial photography requires prior approval.
Accessibility considerations
Swampscott house is not wheelchair accessible; Lynn house offers lift access to the first floor and restrooms.
Comfortable walking shoes
Ensures easy movement during tours involving walking and stair climbing.
Weather-appropriate layered clothing
Massachusetts weather can vary; layering keeps you comfortable while moving between locations.
all
Portable camera or smartphone
To capture personal photos of the historic homes and exhibits.
Small daypack or bag
For carrying water and essentials; large backpacks aren’t allowed inside.