Nichols House Museum

Many historic houses close for the winter season, making December a challenging time for a house museum enthusiast. When Marty was looking for something to do for my December birthday, he managed to reserve a tour of the Nichols House Museum on Boston’s Beacon Hill. What seemed like a simple outing quickly became an adventure of its own.

The day we traveled into Boston, a powerful gale storm swept through the city. Wind whipped around the corners of the historic streets, umbrellas were useless, and simply making our way through Beacon Hill became far more of an expedition than either of us had anticipated. Yet despite the weather, we were determined to make the tour.  

The Nichols House Museum was built in 1804 by architect Charles Bullfinch whose work helped during the architectural character of early Boston. This elegant Federal-style townhouse became home to one of Boston’s most accomplished and influential families and is located in one of the most historic neighborhoods in America.  

The house became home to Dr. Arthur Howard Nicils, a respected Boston physician, and his wife, Elizabeth Homans Nichols. Dr Nichols was part of Boston’s distinguished medical community and the family lived in the house for generations, preserving not only the building but also the objects, furnishings, books, artwork and personal treasures that filled their lives.

Dr. and Mrs. Nichols raised three remarkable daughters in the home: Rose. Marian and Margaret. Each pursued interests that were unusual for women of their era, Rose became one of America’s pioneering landscape architects. Marian devoted herself to social reform and public health initiatives and Margaret became an accomplished artist and educator. Their interests in travel, education, literature, art and civic engagement are reflected throughout the house. Their home became a gathering place for artists, writers, reformers and civic leaders.

The Nichols House gave us a window into the lives of an extraordinary Boston family, and it also became part of our own story. A December birthday, a gale-force storm, and a husband determined to make the day special despite the weather.