Emily Dickinson Museum
Emily Dickinson Museum things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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This may be my favorite author house/museum to visit. Certainly, I have not found a better one. Most importantly, the genuine love that each person brings to the Emily Dickinson Museum is manifest in every aspect of the museum's public-facing presentation. To the museum's great credit, the individual personalities (and, vitally, the reasons those individuals love Dickinson) that each individual brings to the table seem to be honored and encouraged. To wit: I have enjoyed the tour of the House and the Evergreens several times, and each time highlighted very different aspects of the poet's life and work. The first time, our guide seemed to focus most on ways of reading Dickinson (believe me, it's a fascinating subject). The second, our guide was most focused on the lives (like loaded guns) that the Dickinsons lived. The third, our guide brought up Thomas Wentworth Higginson enough to make me change my thinking on him (my opinion has become decidedly more favorable as a direct result of this tour). I'm sure that the next time I go, I'll take away more once again. Beyond this, the museum does an excellent job of crafting outstanding programming. I would recommend the annual walk from the Dickinson house to the poet's grave, which occurs in mid May of the year (in keeping with Dickinson's passing). It's truly a deeply affecting memorial. If you love Dickinson, you just want to learn some more about this major figure, or you're anywhere in between, visit the Emily Dickinson Museum. You'll be glad you did.
Jason MaceyJason Macey
00
I visited for the first time at the height of Pride month, the same week of Juneteenth. It was a wonderful surprise to read Kwame Alexander’s “The Undefeated” in the garden story-walk, which ended with souvenir buttons spread in the grass for visitors to take home. The Homestead, the Evergreens, and the grounds have been and still are being lovingly restored. The staff is warm, friendly, and knowledgeable. I was terribly aggrieved, however, with the “they were just gal pals” treatment of the Poet and Susan Huntington Dickinson’s intimate relationship as portrayed by the tidy pre-written, bound script from which the docent read. Though our guide’s performance of this text (as it were) laid it on quite thick enough for anyone who might still need to be spoon-fed their queer history through obliquely coded references, it was sad to witness. ESPECIALLY during Pride. I don’t know who authored the museum tour script/guidebook that is in use now, in June 2024, or who they think they are pandering to, but in my assessment: it is a Puritanically dishonest monument to these two courageous and intelligent women, forced—in their own home—to love in secret both in life and still, even now, in death. Do better. Curious parties refer to: “Open Me Carefully: Emily Dickinson’s Intimate Letters to Susan Huntington Dickinson” (Hart & Smith, 1998/2019, Wesleyan University Press)—a book you can purchase in their bookshop, no less!
sarah comerfordsarah comerford
00
The Emily Dickinson Museum is a wonderful place to visit in Amherst, Massachusetts. The museum offers both guided tours and self-guided tours. On the self-guided tours after visiting the first room, where basic information about Emily Dickinson is provided, you can go from room to room as you please. There are guides in each room who provide information about the room and how it was used by the Dickinson family. The guides are knowledgeable about all aspects of Emily's life from where she lived in the house, her relationship with her family, her life, and her poetry. The guided tours last about an hour and on them you can get more information than on the self-guided tours. The house has both historical furniture and restored from the Dickinson family. The decorating inside of the house is unique and has been restored from photographs. In a few rooms in the house there are interactive displays about Emily's poetry. There is a nice gift shop inside the house as well. It is best to park on the streets near the house. There are a few handicapped parking spaces near the house as well. It is definitely best to purchase tickets online ahead of time. Tickets are also sold at the museum. If you have an interest in Emily Dickinson or just like seeing historic houses this museum is for you.
Ryan MazierskiRyan Mazierski
00
I visited my friends in Boston last month & we drove out to Amherst to check out the Emily Dickinson Museum! We loved it!! ♥️ We had a guided tour with Anna, who was super knowledgeable and patient with questions from our small group. I enjoyed learning about the poet and there was even a room set up for the guided tours to discuss some of her works via the boards with the sliders (didn't get a pic of them). 📝 We walked through the house and I think my two favorite rooms are the foyer and the salon/living room with the portrait replica of Dickinson and her siblings. 👨👩👧 There is a little souvenir shop of course where you can purchase things like booklets of Dickinson's poems, shirts, stationery, umbrellas, etc. I'm glad we came to visit this museum, it was an educational, laid-back experience. We also saw the giant tree outside the house that has been there since Dickinson's time! 🌳 This is a must-see destination for literary fans.
ChinLin PanChinLin Pan
00
We had an incredible time touring the Homestead and grounds. Our guide, Pete, asked what our interests were and tailored his tour to us. We loved learning about the architecture, family, and viewing props from the show. He was very knowledgeable about the provenance of items and the creation of the museum. We were also fortunate to attend a free panel that day which was part of the Tell It Slant poetry festival and featured the costume designer and actors who played Lavinia and Austin in the Apple show Dickinson. The museum is a wonderful steward of their historic homes and beautifully marry the history of the family with modern interests.
JenJen
00
I came as an impromptu visit on a weekday in November as we were passing through Amherst, and unfortunately, they were sold out of tickets for the day. While I couldn't explore the inside of the home beyond the gift shop rooms (which were still pretty cool, I'll say!) I did enjoy walking the idyllic grounds on a cool autumn morning. Emily Dickinson has been my favorite poet since I was a little girl - walking the paths she walked was a beautiful experience. It was beautiful, but don't be like me and think you can purchase tickets at the door: get your tickets in advance!
Kendra PaulsonKendra Paulson
00
Nearby Attractions Of Emily Dickinson Museum
Amherst Cinema
Beneski Museum of Natural History
Amherst College
LeftClick Amherst
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Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
280 Main St, Amherst, MA 01002
Map
Phone
(413) 542-8161
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Website
emilydickinsonmuseum.org
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Reviews
Overview
4.8
(200 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
accessibility
Description
The Emily Dickinson Museum is a historic house museum consisting of two houses: the Dickinson Homestead and the Evergreens. The Dickinson Homestead was the birthplace and home from 1855 to 1886 of 19th-century American poet Emily Dickinson, whose poems were discovered in her bedroom there after her death.
attractions: Amherst Cinema, Beneski Museum of Natural History, Amherst College, LeftClick Amherst, Amherst Town Common, The Drake, Talon Furniture & Mattress, Jones Library, Innovintage Place, Mead Art Museum, restaurants: Johnny's Tavern, Pita Pockets, Amherst Coffee + Bar, Antonio's Pizza, Pasta E Basta, Bistro 63, Garcia's Mexican Restaurant Bar, Bueno Y Sano, Lili's Restaurant, Crazy Noodles
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