Edward Gorey House — Attraction in Yarmouth

I will first say that sadly the two stars given are for the treatment and interaction we had with the woman working the front desk. It’s been on my wish list to come to The Edward Gorey House. I first came from San Diego to visit but was unaware that it was closed during that specific time of year. Completely my fault for not checking. This time we had the correct times and flew out again from The West coast.

Pulling up to the museum there is an air of excitement, the character of the home almost pulls you in immediately. We walked in ready to immerse ourselves in the mind of Mr Gorey. But the first thing we encountered was a woman who was not pleasant at all.

Now this is coming from Someone who has worked at The Whaley House and other museums and Historical sites. A first impression is really important when you great your guests. A member of our party did not have a mask on. I was holding the door open so we must have missed the sign for mandatory masks. He received a very rude Dont come in unless you have a mask. I completely understand and acknowledge why masks are essential, but also there’s a way to speak to people. “A simple hello welcome to the Edward Gorey House would have been nice. I’m not sure if you saw the sign but we require anyone coming in to the museum to wear a mask if you wouldn’t mind grabbing that for us. Thank you very much!”

We got nothing, no hello, just an irritated state and a “so what do you want to do”? It was maybe the most unwelcome welcome I’ve ever received in a place, no explanation of anything, nothing. And then she went back to reading her book. It was such a bummer because that left such a bad taste in my mouth that it was hard to have fun and immerse myself in the fantastic world. Being kind and welcoming doesn’t take much. I wish they would have tried harder.

Now the museum itself, is wonderfully organized, you get a clear and whimsical view into the world that was Edward Gorey. The layout is clear and easily accessible if you are walking or if you are in a wheelchair or are using a cane. There are beautiful pieces of various works displayed around the downstairs of the home and even a lovely reading area in the very back of the house. Overall the Edward Gorey House is a gem that Cape Cod should feel proud to have. It Gets a A staff preset at the time...

I have always loved Gorey’s drawings and was very curious to see the home where he lived, what inspired him, what his choices were in furnishings, collections, his art studio and garden. Unfortunately, although the house exterior is charming enough, very little remains of interior furnishings. It was not preserved the way he left it, but pretty much scraped clean, and the group that oversees the house, while I’m certain are aficionados of his work, are not preservationists. Some of his things have been secured behind glass, but the overall feel of the house is not of someone’s home, but of a large gift shop. It simply lacks the intimacy of entering the private home of a very interesting individual. The walls are plastered with his work, and there are glass cabinets with some original illustrations..but I feel it is totally missing the point of why people actually want to come here. Tee are already familiar with his work, we have come to capture the essence of the artist and how he lived. We aren’t even allowed upstairs to view his studio. It’s as if a giant vacuum came through the house and swallowed everything up…I suppose Gorey would have been amused by the puritanical scrubbing, but it does little to educate the visitor about how he lived in his home. There are a handful of photos showing the original living arrangements but you are better off seeing YouTube videos of interviews of Gorey or the man who ran Jacks diner down the street, where Gorey was a frequent customer, if you want to get a better feel for who he actually was. The...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Edward Gorey House, and it was truly a memorable experience. As someone who has long admired Gorey's distinctive illustration style and revels in his delightfully macabre world, this museum did not disappoint.

The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, offering a deep dive into Gorey's artistic journey. The intricate black lines of his illustrations, which have always captivated me, are well represented, giving visitors a chance to appreciate the full spectrum of his work up close. Each piece is accompanied by insightful context, shedding light on the fascinating aspects of his life and creative process.

The museum itself exudes a quiet charm, reflecting the uniqueness of Gorey's own eccentric sensibilities. It's a rare glimpse into the mind of an artist whose work continues to inspire and intrigues.

For anyone with an appreciation for Edward Gorey's art, or just a love for unique and thought-provoking illustration, The Edward Gorey House is well worth a visit. It serves as a fitting tribute to an extraordinary talent and a sanctuary for admirers seeking to immerse themselves in his oddly...