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Museum Reopened!
The Emily Dickinson Museum has completed its most significant restoration project to date of the revered poet’s Homestead.… read more
Review Highlights
“Despite being an English teacher, I've never really developed an abiding interest in Emily Dickinson's poetry.” in 12 reviews
“We also enjoyed the self guided audio tour of Emily's garden; each stop has a narration as well as a poem.” in 3 reviews
“Oh, Emily is rests in West cemetery with the rest of her family, which is about half a mile from the homestead.” in 3 reviews
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Jane W.
The Emily Dickinson Museum: the Homestead and The Evergreens is dedicated to educating diverse audiences about the poet's life, family, creative work, times, and enduring relevance, and to preserving and interpreting the Homestead and The Evergreens as historical resources for the benefit of scholars and the general public. The Emily Dickinson Museum is owned by the Trustees of Amherst College and overseen by a separate Board of Governors. The Museum is responsible for raising its own operating and capital funds.
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- 111520334Apr 12, 2023
Who run the world? Girls!!!
Sadly, Emily Dickinsons pomes didn't get any attention until after her death. typical!!
This museum is about an eight minute walk or less from the edge of the University or the downtown area.
The only way to enter it is with a tour, and they only allow 10 people so make sure to reserve it in advance. You can do the Gardens self guided tour on your own, and the museum shop is always open.
I walked over from my hotel, my beautiful early spring day, and enjoyed all the mass of colonial homes. - Kimberly R.Boston, MA02923May 12, 2023
This is a magical place. Seeing Emily's house was an amazing experience. It was surreal to see her infamous bedroom and garden, and it was easy to imagined her life in the house. The gift shop was amazing, too. My only problem was that tour guide spent too much time talking about themself - the tour is about Emily, not about you.
- 22919814127Oct 21, 2019
I love Emily Dickinson. I was an English major, in her hometown of Amherst, so I obviously spent a lot of time studying her poetry and thinking of her. In the time since I was in Amherst her family home has been opened up as a museum honoring her life and work. I took the tour on a crisp fall day and absolutely loved it! The tour guide was interesting and informative and I got a sense of his passion for her work. I highly recommend the tour if you're spending anytime in Amherst or surrounding areas.
- Nov 3, 2016
I've always admired Emily Dickinson and her poetry. After all, her words got me through the darkest times of my life and it was very refreshing to hear (or read) her words from the printed page. High school was hell for me. College too. Emily Dickinson help me through and see the light.
Since I was planning on traveling through the New England area on a recent October 2016 trip, I made a special pitstop on purpose here to Amherst, Massachusetts. It was here that Emily Dickinson made this town her home, solitude, and her world. She lived all her life within the town of Amherst, Massachusetts in this house where the homestead and museum since today. The homestead is the original home she lived in, with some restoration and other reconstruction efforts within the home with modern effects. It was really cool to see where she lived and wrote many of her poetry here. I arrived here on a nice Wednesday afternoon, after rushing from Hartford, Connecticut and seeing the Mark Twain home and museum. I did not know that the Emily Dickinson had a guided tour, and I just happened to be fortunate enough to make it to the final tour of the day. The The tour itself was approximately 90 minutes long which encompasses both Emily Dickinson's home and evergreens, which was Emily Dickinson's brother and his family living next-door. This was like the best time ever for me, especially when it was full circle to where I could be happy with myself and my life again.
The overall experience here at the Emily Dickinson homestead and museum was exceptional, coming from an enthusiast. I have all her completions of her poetry and a few volumes of biographies written about her from other authors at home. So it was a real treat to be in the same house that she was but 120 some years later after her death. Especially standing in her bedroom where she worked and lived, there was a poignant moment for me where this was that moment of clarity for me. It was obscenely personal for me and it helped me sort some stuff out that day. How her words helped me during my most darkest days and helped me sort through the craziness we call life. The Emily Dickinson homestead and museum is located at 280 Main Street here in Amherst, Ma. They except major credit cards, which is always a great thing. As far as parking goes, I had to park in one of the side streets where parking is available where you can find it. The parking area that they have next to the homestead, is for handicapped and disabled only. Best bet is to get here early and secure parking before going to the entrance and securing your tour slot. The entrance fee for the Emily Dickinson Homestead and museum is $15. It was well worth the price for me.
I kind of remember the tour guide's name, but can't be too sure. I think her name is Barbara. She was very knowledgeable about the homestead and about Emily's life. She knew stories about the family and of Emily and once in a while she would tell us a poem from Emily about it the particulars of each room in the house. The interesting part of the home is the poetry room. I know that they have special events in that room. The evergreens also was a special treat, since we got to see Emily's brother and his family lived. It was sad to hear about Emily's nephew passing away at a young age, which may explain Emily's eventual reclusiveness and her uptick in writing and personal thoughts of the world. She lived like she had no other and she left this world with her words on the printed page. Years after her death, her poems were eventually published and she became a beloved icon in the literary world. I enjoyed my visit here thoroughly and definitely recommend if you are in the area and are a fan of Emily's work.
Oh, Emily is rests in West cemetery with the rest of her family, which is about half a mile from the homestead. I had time after my visit to the homestead and paid a visit to Emily and her family. She saved my life with Her words, so it was only right to say thank you to her in person.
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A++ - 499912136401Jul 22, 2014
I don't even know where to begin, except to say:
I was able to wander in bare feet in Emily Dickinson's garden grounds while reading her poetry.
I gazed out of her bedroom window and imagined I could see her world through her perceptive, poetic eyes.
I walked the path from her house to Austin's that she must have trod so frequently.
I stood below her bedroom window like a child waiting for lowered picnic baskets.
Beyond all of that transcendence, our guide was knowledgeable and wonderful in every way. She answered questions and definitely took her time. When the tour was over and I wanted more time in Emily's bedroom, she graciously arranged for another guide to take me and my companion to her room privately (!!).
Seriously, if you are at all a fan of dear Em, my good gracious, do yourself a favor and make a trip here.
You'll feel "physically as though the top of [your] head has been taken off" and be left "dwell[ing] in possibility."
Truly.
Get to it! - Betty G.Sherman, CT01728Aug 17, 2019
This is my favorite small museum, and I revisited today for the first time in about eight years. Our tour guide, Greg, was terrific. He recited poems throughout and struck the right balance of enough information for an average tourist as well as someone whose read Dickinson's poetry. Seeing the restoration in progress of Emily's brother's house next door was a real treat. We also enjoyed the self guided audio tour of Emily's garden; each stop has a narration as well as a poem. With easy street parking and no crowds, it's a great day trip to the Berkshires!
- J T.Boston, MA0134Jul 21, 2019
Awesome experience that really makes Emily into a multidimensional historical figure. I can't wait to go back in a few years as they are able to expand the museum.
- Lucia G.New Haven, CT467306Apr 15, 2017
Emily Dickinson is my favoritism New England poet, and I have great expectation upon this visit. The tour guide is helpful, and house is nice, Emily Dickinson's white dress still moves me a lot. Yet the garden is in renovation and does not open to the public. I have bought a key ring with a line fromEmily Dickinson: to wait an hour -is long if love is beyond. ---love is so much!
- Carol D.Southborough, MA503Sep 2, 2019
I drove an hour and a half to see the museum today. According to the website, the museum was open, but when I got there today, it was closed. They really need to have more accurate information on their website.
- R V.Monroeville, PA3310647Jan 27, 2010
I should start by saying that I am not easily impressed by house tours - even moreso if it's an author's home. However, I was happily surprised by my experience at the Dickinson Museum. The house itself has enough original offerings to keep people interested. The most impressive was probably Emily's bedroom.
I commend the museum for offering several types of tours, each with a different thematic focus - and, more importantly, posting the schedule for these tours so you know what your options are before you bought a ticket. I signed up for the one that focused on poetry. Though the docent used notes, my assumption was that she researched and wrote the tour herself. She explained Dickinson's life and work with pathos. At the end, she invited those of us on the tour to read from some of her works. I couldn't resist volunteering after my great experience.
I didn't get to visit the second home that's part of the museum but I hope to go again some time so that I can.
By the way, if you're a fan of cemeteries like me, the Dickinson family plot is a "relatively" close walk from the house. Ask for directions. I was moved by all the tokens and mementos her admirers had left for her.