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.