All language & literature museums to visit in Massachusetts

Celebrate the power of words at 21 language and literature museums in Massachusetts. These museums explore the history of languages, literary works, and the lives of authors.

Are you a literature enthusiast? Here are the best language and literature museums in Massachusetts

  1. Paul Revere House1

    Paul Revere House

     Boston, MA
    The Paul Revere House, constructed around 1680, served as the residence of American patriot Paul Revere during the time of the American Revolution. This historic house, located at 19 North Square, Boston, Massachusetts, is the oldest house in downtown Boston. It has been a National Historic Landmark since 1961 and is now operated as a nonprofit museum by the Paul Revere Memorial Association.
  2. The House of the Seven Gables2

    The House of the Seven Gables

     Salem, MA
    The House of the Seven Gables, also known as the Turner House or the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, is a significant historical site in Salem, Massachusetts. Constructed in 1668, it is one of the oldest mansions in North America that is still standing. The mansion boasts 17 rooms and spans over 700 square meters, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.
  3. Herman Melville House3

    Herman Melville House

     Pittsfield, MA
    The Herman Melville House, also known as Arrowhead, is a historically significant building located in Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. This landmark is steeped in history and offers a unique insight into the life and works of Herman Melville, one of America's most renowned authors.
  4. William Hickling Prescott House4

    William Hickling Prescott House

     Boston, MA
    The William Hickling Prescott House, also known as the Headquarters House, is a historic house museum located at 55 Beacon Street on Beacon Hill in Boston, Massachusetts. This location is significant as it was the home of one of the nation's first historians, William Hickling Prescott. Today, it serves as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the life and times of Prescott.
  5. The Mount5

    The Mount

     Lenox, MA
    The Mount, located in Lenox, Massachusetts, is a country house that was once the home of renowned American author Edith Wharton. Notably, Wharton herself designed the house and its surrounding grounds, making it a unique reflection of her personal taste and style.
  6. Adams National Historical Park6

    Adams National Historical Park

     Quincy, MA
    Adams National Historical Park, located in Quincy, Massachusetts, is a significant site that preserves the home of two U.S. presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams. It also served as the residence of U.S. envoy Charles Francis Adams, and notable writers and historians Henry Adams and Brooks Adams. The park provides a unique opportunity to explore the lives and contributions of these influential figures.
  7. The Edward Gorey House7

    The Edward Gorey House

     Yarmouth Port, MA
    The Edward Gorey House, also known as the Elephant House, is located on Cape Cod. This was the home where Edward Gorey, a renowned author, illustrator, puppeteer, and playwright, lived and worked from 1986 until his death in 2000. The house now serves as a museum, celebrating the life and work of Edward Gorey.
  8. The Wayside8

    The Wayside

     Concord, MA
    The Wayside, located in Concord, Massachusetts, is a house with significant connections to American literature. It is currently part of the Minute Man National Historical Park and is managed by the National Park Service. The Wayside was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963, further emphasizing its historical and cultural importance.
  9. Concord Museum9

    Concord Museum

     Concord, MA
    The Concord Museum is a local history museum situated at 200 Lexington Road, in Concord, Massachusetts, USA. It is a place where visitors can learn about the rich history of the area and its notable residents. The museum is easily accessible and offers a unique opportunity to delve into the past.
  10. Berkshire County Historical Society - Arrowhead10

    Berkshire County Historical Society - Arrowhead

     Pittsfield, MA
    The Herman Melville House, also known as Arrowhead, is a historically significant building located in Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. This house is not just a building, but a piece of history that has stood the test of time. It offers a glimpse into the life of Herman Melville, one of America's most renowned authors.
  11. The Old Manse11

    The Old Manse

     Concord, MA
    The Old Manse, located on Monument Street in Concord, Massachusetts, is a historic house known for its significant role in American history. Originally built around 1769 for patriot and pastor William Emerson, the house became a center of political, literary, and social revolutions over the next hundred years. It is situated near the Old North Bridge, where the American War of Independence began on April 19, 1775, now celebrated as Patriots’ Day in the United States.
  12. Ralph Waldo Emerson House12

    Ralph Waldo Emerson House

     Concord, MA
    The Ralph Waldo Emerson House, located in Concord, Massachusetts, is not just a former residence of the renowned American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, but also a National Historic Landmark. This status is granted to places that are recognized as being significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. The house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, which is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation.
  13. Commonwealth Museum13

    Commonwealth Museum

     Boston, MA
    The Massachusetts Archives is home to a vast collection of historical documents and artifacts. These include the state’s own copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution, and the 1629 charter of Massachusetts Bay. The archives also house Revolutionary and Civil War records, documents signed by George Washington, John Adams, and John Hancock, treaties made with Native American tribes, and slave and witchcraft records. This extensive collection provides a comprehensive look into the history of Massachusetts and the United States.
  14. Whittier Birthplace14

    Whittier Birthplace

     Haverhill, MA
    The John Greenleaf Whittier Homestead, located at 305 Whittier Road in Haverhill, Massachusetts, is the birthplace and home of the renowned American Quaker poet and abolitionist, John Greenleaf Whittier. Today, it serves as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the life and times of this influential figure.
  15. The John Greenleaf Whittier Home and Museum15

    The John Greenleaf Whittier Home and Museum

     Amesbury, MA
    The John Greenleaf Whittier Home is a historic house situated at 86 Friend Street, Amesbury, Massachusetts. This was the residence of the renowned American poet and abolitionist, John Greenleaf Whittier, from 1836 until his death in 1892. Today, it stands as a testament to his life and works, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.
  16. Emily Dickinson Museum16

    Emily Dickinson Museum

     Amherst, MA
    The Emily Dickinson Museum is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. It comprises two buildings, one of which is the birthplace of the poet Emily Dickinson, who lived there from 1855 to 1886. The museum offers a unique insight into the life and works of one of America's most significant poets.
  17. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum17

    The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum

     Springfield, MA
    The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum is situated in the William Pynchon Memorial Building in Springfield, Massachusetts. This location was previously home to the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum until 2009. The museum, which opened in June 2017, is part of the Quadrangle, a site that also includes the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden and other museums.
  18. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art18

    The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

     Amherst, MA
    The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is a unique institution dedicated to the art of the picture book, with a special emphasis on children's books. This museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of picture books and the artists who create them. It is a place where visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in the vibrant and imaginative world of picture book art.
  19. Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House19

    Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House

     Concord, MA
    Orchard House, also known as Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, is a former residence and now a museum located in Concord, Massachusetts, United States. This historic house, built in the mid-17th century, is best known as the home of the Alcott family, where Louisa May Alcott wrote her famous novel 'Little Women' in 1868.
  20. Concord School of Philosophy20

    Concord School of Philosophy

     Concord, MA
    The Concord School of Philosophy, located in Concord, Massachusetts, was a hub for philosophical discussions and lectures during the summers from 1879 to 1888. This institution was a significant part of the Transcendentalist movement and was founded by Amos Bronson Alcott. The school's first meeting was held in the Alcott family home, Orchard House, and later moved to a new building funded by William Torrey Harris and Louisa May Alcott.
  21. Yiddish Book Center21

    Yiddish Book Center

     South Amherst, MA
    The Yiddish Book Center is a cultural institution situated on the campus of Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. It is dedicated to the preservation of books in the Yiddish language, as well as the culture and history those books represent. The center is part of the Museums10 consortium, a group of ten museums in western Massachusetts.