Inside The Gibson House Museum in Boston’s Back Bay
The Gibson House Museum in Boston’s Back Bay offers a rare glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of an upper-class 19th-century family.
Stepping inside feels like entering a time capsule, with gilded mirrors, vibrant patterns, an array of artwork, and a collection of books and trinkets that adds to each room’s dark and mysterious charm.
Amid the houses’ grandeur lies a deeply personal history. You can walk into the bedroom of Catherine Gibson where she gave birth to her three children. She had the privilege of having a male doctor present (unlike most Boston women at the time, who could only afford a midwife or faced childbirth alone).
The Gibson family displayed artwork that they had collected on their European tours, including portraits, landscapes and decorative plates, busts, statues, and commissioned works. A standout piece is the portrait of Abraham Gibson, painted with oil and attributed to Massachusetts artist Alvan Fisher, although he is better known for his American landscapes.
This portrait, likely completed between 1814 and Abraham’s death in 1816, measures 32.5 by 27.5 inches and marks the legacy of Abraham, who, along with his wife Frances Davis, had four sons, including John Gardiner Gibson.
John Gibson, a Boston-based sugar merchant, married Catherine Hammond in 1833, and together they had two sons, John Jr. and Charles Hammond Gibson Sr. After Gibsons untimely death at sea in 1838, Catherine commissioned a townhouse at 137 Beacon Street in Boston’s Back Bay, a home that became the heart of the Gibson legacy. Today, this townhouse stands as a lasting testament to the family’s influence and prominent role in Boston society.
The Gibson family’s appreciation for art extended beyond European influences to include Asian and non-Western pieces. This interest is evident immediately upon entering the house, where the entryway on the first floor is lined with Japanese leather wallpaper. The family’s collection also features an early 19th-century Japanese Imari plate, displayed by the fireplace in the dining room. Imari porcelain, named after the Japanese port from which it was exported, was created for Western markets and reflects the era’s fascination with East Asian decorative arts. The Gibsons owned a variety of imported items from China and Japan, including an entire dinnerware set and large vases.
The Gibson House is accessible exclusively through guided tours, offering a unique blend of global influences and classic Bostonian elegance. Tour prices range from $5 to $17, depending on which tour you choose and whether you book online or on the day of your visit. It’s the perfect way to escape modern society, step back in time, and experience a slice of 19th-century life.
