Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters

https://www.nps.gov/long/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longfellow_House%E2%80%93Washington's_Headquarters_National_Historic_Site The Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site is a historic site located at 105 Brattle Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was the home of noted American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow for almost 50 years, and it had previously served as the headquarters of General George Washington (1775–76). It presents an example of mid-Georgian architecture style. Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site preserves a remarkable Georgian house whose occupants shaped our nation. It was a site of colonial enslavement and community activism, George Washington’s first long-term headquarters of the American Revolution, and the place where Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his canon of 19th-century American literature. Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters NHS is located in a residential section of Cambridge, MA. There is very little public parking in the area and onsite parking is limited to vehicles with handicapped parking permits. However, the site is a short walk from Harvard Square, where there are paid parking lots and a station for the MBTA Red Line and numerous bus routes. The use of public transportation to the site is highly recommended. Follow the link for detailed instructions. Visitor Center Visitor center and bookstore at the rear of the historic house. All house tours enter through this main entrance. Front Facade Yellow three-story mansion with symmetrical facade. Steps and large lawn in foreground. Framed by br Elm trees frame the front facade of the Vassall-Craigie-Longfellow House. Fun for All Ages children interacting with puppet Special events create fun for all ages. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Study View of a study with a round center table cluttered with books and writing implements. The Longfellow study table is cluttered with books and writing implements. The black "Chestnut Tree Chair" was a gift to Henry Longfellow in honor of his poem, "The Village Blacksmith." Front Hall A staircase with white balusters and green carpet. A bust of Washington sits at the turn of stairs. The Longfellows' iconic front entry features a bust of Washington at the turn of the stairs Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site mansion highlighted by the changing colors of fall Thousands tour the historic headquarters of George Washington and home of Henry Longfellow each summer. Longfellow Family Garden garden back dropped by house The Longfellow Family Garden provides a peaceful getaway in the heart of Cambridge. Summer Festival Concert large crowd on the east lawn listening to singers perfom Each year is highlighted by the Summer Festival on the house's east lawn. Winter at Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site house covered with new fallen snow New fallen snow blankets the historic mansion. Longfellow Family Garden pink flower in garden Vibrant colors abound throughout the year in the Longfellow Family Garden. Nohemi Colin, GIS Story Map Development Associate Nohemi Colin is the 2020 GIS Story Map Development Associate through the Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) at Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters NHS. Young woman in polo shirt sits at desk with map on computer screen Designing the Parks: Learning in Action The Designing the Parks program is not your typical internship. Each year since 2013, this program at the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation has introduced a cohort of college students and recent graduates to NPS design and planning professions through projects related to cultural landscape stewardship. In the internships, made possible by partner organizations, participants focus on an in-depth project that directly engages with a national park unit. A group of young people stand on forest trail and listen to two maintenance employees King and Longfellow: The Power of Words Martin Luther King, Jr.’s courage, vision, and powerful words enabled him to lead a movement which changed the course of history. His speeches are full of literary and biblical references. Unsurprisingly, many of his allusions were drawn from 19th-century New England, a time and place in which American Literature grew alongside abolitionist agitation. These Great Present & Future Problems: Erica Thorp and WWI French War Orphans In 1917, Henry Longfellow’s granddaughter Erica Thorp moved to France to teach at the Colonie Franco-Americaine for war orphans. Her compassion for the students was overwhelming, as she sought to provide them with basic necessities, education, and a normal life. Woman and about nine young boys holding hands in a circle in front of a house Captain Nathan Appleton In 1863, Nathan Appleton joined the Army of the Potomac as an officer in the Fifth Massachusetts Battery. After the war, he became active in two fraternal organizations founded by veterans after the war to commemorate their shared experience. Man in Civil War uniform standing in profile holding hat in hands behind back Curriculum Connections: Making the Most of National Park Experiences Developing curriculum-based programs is the cornerstone for a solid foundation for park education programs. Providing relevant resource-based experiences for people of all ages will ensure a continuum of opportunities for citizens to support their own learning objectives through the national parks and to find meaning in their national treasures. Offering curriculum-based programs, especially for school age children will help foster stewardship. Carriage roads at Acadia National Park. NPS Photo Though Dwelling in a Land of Freedom This article traces the lives of some of the enslaved people of Brattle Street through the Revolution and their new lives as free men and women. Their descendants continued to build free communities in Cambridge, Boston, and Liberia. Detail of manuscript Slavery at the Vassall-Craigie-Longfellow House: Introduction Slavery and its extension into the new western territories plunged the United States into a terrible and bloody civil war in the 1860s, but the story did not start or end with the war. Today, we can access this history through the house and people associated with Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site over its long history. Mona McKindley Mona McKindley is a gardener at three national historic sites in the Boston metropolitan area. She is responsible for the daily care of all three former residential landscapes, two of which were designed by famous designers and pioneers in the American landscape architecture profession. Her knowledge for both horticulture and history guides her stewardship of these landscapes. Mona McKindley sprays water from a hose onto plants in a garden. An Era of Romantic Friendships: Sumner, Longfellow, and Howe Romantic friendship is the term most often used when discussing close intimate relationships, often ambiguous in nature, between two same-sex friends in the nineteenth century. For historians, it is difficult to parse out what was simply friendship and what was romantic love. Charles Sumner's parallel relationships with Henry Longfellow and Samuel Gridley Howe highlight just how complex nineteenth century "romantic friendships" could be. Charcoal and chalk drawing of man with full sideburns, jacket and high white collar. Charles A. Longfellow in the Civil War In March 1863, Charles A. Longfellow, son of the poet, ran away from his Cambridge home to join the Union Army. He served in the artillery and cavalry until his wounding at New Hope Church in November 1863. Studio portrait of young man in military uniform with hat and cape Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Margaret Fuller A look at the antagonistic and fraught literary relationship of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Margaret Fuller. Engraving of woman seated, looking down, surrounded by standing figures "A Sacrifice of Inclination": Samuel Longfellow Samuel Longfellow's correspondence, and the relationships he formed over the course of his life, point to the complexities of the LGBTQ experience in 19th century New England. Detail of manuscript page with text Searching for Servants Complete this activity to learn how to read a census record and become a history detective! Drawing of magnifying glass in foreground, handwritten 1850 federal census in background Boston Marriages Longfellow’s writing, and that of members of his social circle, provide contemporary audiences a lens on the history of romantic relationships between women in 19th century New England. Boston Marriages were a newer concept in the second half of the 19th century, owing its meaning to the women involved in them. Women in these marriages were often from New England, college-educated, financially independent, and with careers of their own. Engraving of two women in long dresses looking out window Were These Washington's Wine Bottles? Archeology in the basement of Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters NHS in 2001 unearthed fragments of wine bottles. Could they have belonged to George Washington? green glass bottle neck with cork, broken at the shoulder Fanny & Henry: A Romance Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Fanny Appleton had a complicated courtship that spanned seven years and two continents. Marble busts of man and woman facing each other Traitor! Decoding Benjamin Church Dr. Benjamin Church was one of the prominent leaders of the Sons of Liberty in Boston early in the Revolution. However, on October 3, 1775, General Washington and his leading advisors met at headquarters in Cambridge to discuss accusations of treason against him. Decode Dr. Church’s letter to find out what he wrote to the British army and decide for yourself if he was a traitor! five lines of text in a cipher with symbols representing letters Language of Flowers In the mid-1800s, people sent each other secret message in the form of flowers using the Language of Flowers. In case you can’t get outside, or flowers aren’t currently blooming where you live, you can make a paper flower message by doing the activity below. Drawing of woman's hand holding bouquet with a note saying "All the Happiness to you!" Coloring Pages from Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters Who says the Longfellow House has to be yellow? Enjoy coloring pages of scenes and figures from Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters NHS. child coloring in black and white image of a house with yellow, green, purple, and red Family Trees Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was inspired by his large family. Who are your family members? Make one of these family trees to proudly display your heritage! Image of a green tree with words "Family Tree" to right Travel Journal Make a journal or sketchbook for your next adventure! With just a few common household items, like thread and a paper grocery bag, you can have a one-of-a-kind journal to record your thoughts. Handmade paper journal with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on the cover Backyard Bingo Use this Backyard Bingo sheet to explore a green space near you! Take a walk in your neighborhood, head to a nearby park, or do it in your own backyard. image of an acorn next to the words Backyard Bingo Make a Thaumatrope A Thaumatrope or “wonder turner” is an optical illusion based on combining two images with movement. It was invented in 1826 by the English physician J.A. Paris. Thaumatropes were popular when the Longfellow children were young in the mid-1800s. You can make one with very few supplies in your own home! Close up of child's hands holding a paper disc on a string, in motion. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Nathaniel Hawthorne Though Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Nathaniel Hawthorne graduated together as members of Bowdoin College’s class of 1825, the friendship between the two men truly started in 1837. They would remain friends and literary colleagues the rest of their lives. Engraving of young man looking down in profile Restored Trellis Returns to the Grounds of the Longfellow House Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site announces restoration of the “Alice’s Garden” trellis and its return to the grounds of the Longfellow House! The structure returned to the site in September 2020 after four years of off-site repair work by park staff and partners with the Student Conservation Association.. Intrusted to a Letter Harry Dana procured a unique assortment of letters from the American Revolution, largely related to George Washington’s time in his Cambridge headquarters. Now collections of Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site. these letters provide insight into what people chose to “intrust to a Letter." signature block of letter Charles Sumner and Romantic Friendships Learn about Charles Sumner and his romantic friendships with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Samuel Gridley Howe. Portrait of a young Charles Sumner Alice Longfellow: A Silent Suffragist Intelligent and outspoken, Alice Longfellow grew up to be known for her advocacy of women’s education. She was particularly central to the founding of Harvard’s female arm, Radcliffe College. Her views on suffrage, however, were not as clear. portion of a group portrait of women outside including Alice Longfellow in a wicker chair Tales of a Silver Ghost: Alice Longfellow's Rolls-Royce In July 1913, the year before the First World War began, Alice Mary Longfellow was in the middle of a two-year European tour, traveling in style in Alice’s Pierce Arrow. but Alice was not content. Thinking she might prefer a Rolls-Royce, she began making inquiries. Her purchase of the car, and an recount an unexpected and chaotic departure from France in August 1914, are documented in letters in her papers. Black and white photograph of woman seated in luxury car with man standing by door Alice Longfellow and the American Ambulance Field Service In late 1914, Alice Longfellow donated to the American Field Service, funding the purchase and maintenance of a Ford Ambulance at the front. Ambulance No. 88 served at the front in France and Belgium from January 1915 through July 1917. Group of men loading stretchers into back of truck with cross and sign National Park Service Commemoration of the 19th Amendment In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment the National Park Service has developed a number of special programs. This includes online content, exhibits, and special events. The National Park Service’s Cultural Resources Geographic Information Systems (CRGIS) announces the release of a story map that highlights some of these programs and provides information for the public to locate and participate. Opening slide of the 19th Amendment NPS Commemoration Story Map Fanny Longfellow's "Hunting Pudding" A large plum pudding was a staple of the Victorian Christmas table. This version is included in Fanny Longfellow's manuscript book of recipes. See how our staff tried to make it, and get the recipe to try it yourself! golden domed cake filled with fruit Fanny Longfellow's Sponge Cake Fanny Longfellow's manuscript book of recipes includes this sponge cake, flavored with lemon... and missing one vital quantity from the ingredient list. See how our staff tried to make it, and get a modern recipe to try it yourself! overhead view of round cake with dark outside and light fluffy inside Harvard Square Poetry Stroll This holiday season, reconnect with the literary roots of the Harvard Square community and enjoy this Holiday Poetry Stroll with your loved ones. yellow house with snow-covered bushes and fence in foreground Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow were contemporaries who shared connections to Harvard and rising popularity as major literary figures in New England. Engraving of Ralph Waldo Emerson in suit, holding right hand his chin Fanny Longfellow's "Burnt Cream" Fanny Longfellow's manuscript book of recipes includes this crème brûlée, flavored with lemon... and finished with a "red hot shovel." See how our staff tried to make it, and get a modern recipe to try it yourself! Fanny Longfellow's Filet de Bouef Fanny Longfellow's manuscript book of recipes includes Filet de Boeuf. See how our staff tried to make it, and get a modern recipe to try it yourself! Plate of beef with sauce being served from a stove on a pan Series: Creative Teaching with Historic Places: Selections from CRM Vol 23 no 8 (2000) These articles are a selection from a special issue of CRM Journal, "Creative Teaching with Historic Places" published in 2000. They provide examples of teaching using historic places both in and out of the classroom, helping students connect with history using the power of place, as well as how to prepare lessons making those connections. Teaching with Historic Places is a program of the National Park Service. Cover of CRM Journal "Creative Teaching with Historic Places" More to Explore at Your National Parks When someone asks how many National Parks are there, they are thinking about the "big" parks such as the Grand Canyon or Yosemite. If you ask a National Park Service Park Ranger the answer probably be for the whole system. This article explores some of the historic and cultural sites in the National Park Service including James A. Garfield National Historic Site! brick path leading to a large white house and a tree is in front of the house with branches “Alice in Wonderland”: Glamping on Moose River Alice Longfellow detailed her extravagant 1873 camping trip on Moose River, Maine in a journal she titled “Alice in Wonderland.” Studio portrait of twelve men and women in formal wear, posed holding fishing poles, nets, and guns. Longfellow Luggage Among the museum holdings of the Longfellow House – Washington’s Headquarters NHS is an extensive collection of luggage: boxes, trunks, and suitcases used by multiple generations of the extended Longfellow family. Tall black trunk with slightly domed lid Charles Longfellow's Travels in India In 1868, Charles Longfellow split off from his family's grand tour of Europe to travel around the world. Arriving in Bombay, he remarked, "one half hour repayed one for coming the 4,000 odd miles to see it." He would spend the next fifteen months travelling through India. Black and white photograph of the Taj Mahal Souvenirs of the Grand Tour In the mid-19th century, members of the Longfellow family followed in the footsteps of well-off young men taking a Grand Tour across continental Europe to absorb the culture of France and Italy. Many of their collected souvenirs decorate the Longfellow House today. Pencil drawing of a mountain pass landscape captioned Souvenir of Grindelwald Series: Of Poetry and Nature: Longfellow's Green Rhyme and Verse A prolific poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow often wrote about the natural world. His nature poetry, although abundant, is often overlooked in favor of his national narrative epics like "Paul Revere's Ride" and "Song of Hiawatha." This series sheds light on Longfellow's nature poetry, contextualizing his work through his academic, social, art, and literary influences. A preserved blue butterfly in a display frame. Nature Poetry Resources A springboard of resources to expand on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's nature poetry and discover more contemporary eco-poets. Cluster of pink blossoms. Longfellow's Environmental Niche A look at Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's influence and involvement in the environmental literary, art, and social movements of the mid 1800s. A watercolor painting of a waterfall with trees in the foreground. Longfellow's Nature Poetry A close read of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's nature poetry. Six pressed samples of different seaweed. Beyond "Poems on Slavery": Black Abolitionist Poets and Longfellow's Imperfect Allyship In 1842, well known white poet Henry Longfellow published "Poems on Slavery" to mixed reviews. This article reconsiders this work alongside two Black poets writing at the same time as Longfellow, George Moses Horton and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. Text of poem in three columns of small text Fat Book Week You've heard of #FatBearWeek...now get ready for #FatBookWeek! In honor of the 10,000+ books in the Longfellow family collection, we called on other literary-minded sites to submit the fattest book in their museum collections for a tournament-style bracket of 10 heavyweight tomes. Check out the bracket, then visit @LONGNPS on Instagram each morning from October 6-12 to vote for your favorite bulky book! Graphic of a bear with a paw on a stack of books. Text reads "Fat Book Week October 6-12, 2021" Littleleaf Linden at Longfellow House - Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site Longfellow littleleaf linden at Longfellow House Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site was beloved by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and it appeared frequently in his journal entries. The shade tree was likely planted near the house just before Longfellow’s acquisition of the property, around the turn of the 19th century, and the tree grew to be appreciated by future residents and visitors. The park established a proactive propagation plan in the early 2000s. A mature linden tree has a tall and rounded canopy thick with leaves, shadowing an area of turf. Unfinished: America at 250 Unfinished: America at 250 is a partnership of historical and cultural institutions, National Park Service sites, historians, and changemakers. This partnership harnesses the stories of the past and activates historic spaces to provoke community conversations about the ongoing American Revolution. Unfinished: America at 250 graphic with people along the bottom A Revolutionary Life: Washington's Birthday Through the Years Nine short videos chronicle American history through the lens of George Washington's birthday and how it was (or wasn't) celebrated during critical points during his life. graphic, illustration, bust of washington wearing a birthday hat “More Precious Than Rubies”: Alice Longfellow and Students at Hampton & Tuskegee Institutes An article highlighting a few of the Black students whose education and work at Hampton Institute and Tuskegee Institute was supported by scholarships from Alice Mary Longfellow. Printed seal for Hampton Institute features plow, books, globe, and tools 105 Brattle in the 1950 Census What can the 1950 Census, released by the National Archives and Records Administration in April 2022, tell us about the residents of Longfellow House at 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA? Street map of Cambridge with blocks outlined and numbered in green and orange print Battle of the Bark Trees shade us from the sun, provide homes for wildlife, stabilize Earth’s surface, and produce food for humans and animals alike. Some are massive, and others are miniscule by comparison, but what makes one better than the other—we’ll let you decide! Check out our iconic trees below and find your favorite! Five thick barked red-brown trees are backlit by the sunlight. The Longfellow Family in the Civil War The Civil War deeply affected the Longfellow family. Three close family members fought in the United States Army. Family at home in Cambridge followed news of the war and supported civilian causes. The impact of the war on American culture is reflected in its influence on Henry Longfellow's poetry. This online exhibit complements the temporary exhibit at Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters NHS, summer 2022. Detail of saber handle engraved C.A. Longfellow over background of manuscript letter Become a Longfellow House B.A.R.K. Ranger The grounds at Longfellow House Washington's HQ are a fun place to hang out with your favorite paw-tner, but it's important to know how you and your dog can help us to care for this very special place. That's why we're starting our BARK Ranger Program. A BARK Ranger knows to: Bag your waste. Always stay on a leash. Respect wildlife. Know where you can go. Access Granted: Unlocking Archival Potential with Digitization The Digital Archives Portal offers researchers and the public access to the collections of Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters NHS from home. Learn how digitization helps preserve our archival material while allowing us to share it widely. Screencapture of webpage with banner of manuscript letters and several search options Research Guide to Black History in the Longfellow Archives Black history is interwoven with the story of 105 Brattle Street. Since its construction, this house and its inhabitants have been shaped by slavery and influenced by the fight for Black civil rights. This research guide features detailed lists of the holdings in the Longfellow Archives and Special Collections that are connected to Black history, as well as complementary resources from the National Park Service and other institutions. Man standing to the right of a large pile of papers on the outside porch of a house. View from Mt. Holyoke, July 9, 1835 In this drawing of the view from Mt. Holyoke, 17-year-old Fanny Appleton sketches the inside of the “crazy shanty on the summit” framing the “coup-d’oeil” of the panoramic view in Western Massachusetts. pencil drawing of landscape with riverbend seen through large square door Development and Modernization: Water Utilities at the Longfellow House Utilities – unremarkable and unnoticed when they work well – provide the comforts of home. The changes and improvements to water utilities at the Vassall-Craigie Longfellow House from the 1700s to 1920s give insight into the daily lives of the house's residents. Close up view of hot water tap on marble counter with second fixture labeled waste Reproducing the Classics: Busts in the Longfellow Collection Why are certain artistic forms repeatedly reproduced? This virtual exhibit examines the complex histories of three plaster-casted busts in the Longfellow House collection. Plaster casted bust of Clytie, looking down, sprouting out of flower petals on a pedestal. “Thoroughly Japanese”: Charley Longfellow’s Collection Japan captured the imagination of world traveler Charles Longfellow like nowhere else. He arrived in June 1871 and stayed for 20 months, enjoying local culture and buying whatever caught his eye. This online exhibit features highlights from Charles Longfellow's collection of Japanese art and souvenirs. Bronze sculpture of a frog with a frog on its back. Success at the 2023 Girl Scout Convention and Boy Scout National Jamboree Read about the two major Scouting events that took place in July 2023 - the Girl Scout Convention held in Orlando, Florida and the Boy Scouts Jamboree held in Beckley, West Virginia. Phenom by Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts Jamboree My Park Story: Amy McKinney Amy McKinney, museum curator, shares her personal story of why she chose museum work and how she started her NPS career. A woman wearing a gray shirt and white gloves holds up an old, framed advertisement. Celebrating the Volunteer Tradition at Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site Celebrated for its history, Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site is also a living space that is open to all. The volunteers who work in the garden today are a vital part of its care and a continuation of community involvement that is part of the history and preservation of the house and gardens. Hear from volunteers about how they got involved, their experience, and the aspects of the landscape that make them feel most connected to its history. Ten people holding garden tools and wheelbarrows stand in front of lilacs and a two-story mansion. Queer Arts in Parks Each October, Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters hosts the Queer Arts in Parks festival in conjunction with LGBTQ+ History Month. Historically, the Longfellow House was a gathering place for queer community. Today this event celebrates the joy and resilience of this community, and invites the public to envision a more joyful and inclusive future. Ranger hat on the front steps of the Longfellow House, draped with a small pride flag Ground Truthing at Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters In summer of 2022 Archeologists with the Northeast Archeological Resources Program conducted a ground-truthing excavation at Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters. Two Archeologists show three visitors something they found. Project Profile: Landscape Stewardship Corps Pre-Apprenticeship Program In collaboration with the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation, the Historic Preservation Training Center is launching the Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Landscape Stewardship Corps, a nationwide internship program aimed at inspiring youth. The program focuses on providing hands-on experiences and training in cultural landscape preservation, preparing the next generation to become stewards of the National Park Service (NPS).