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Otis House

ArchitectureLocal HistoryHistoryTemporarily closedFrom $15Bowdoin (MBTA Blue Line)

Otis House is the last surviving mansion of Bowdoin Square, built in 1796 to a design by Charles Bulfinch for the young lawyer and future Boston mayor Harrison Gray Otis and his wife Sally Foster Otis. A National Historic Landmark, its interiors have been restored on the evidence of meticulous historical and scientific research, bringing back the brilliantly coloured wallpapers, carpeting and high-style Federal furnishings of the 1790s. Guided tours trace the family's life in the Federal era and the building's later incarnations as a medical clinic and a middle-class boarding house. The house doubles as Historic New England's headquarters and is currently closed for a multi-year restoration and accessibility project.

What's On

Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA

Nearest station: Bowdoin (MBTA Blue Line), Charles/MGH (MBTA Red Line), Government Center (MBTA Green & Blue Lines), North Station (MBTA Green & Orange Lines, Commuter Rail)

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Hours

Closed until further notice

Temporarily closed from 31 August 2026 for a multi-year restoration, accessibility and visitor-experience project. No reopening date announced.

MonClosed
TueClosed
WedClosed
ThuTodayClosed
Fri11:00–16:00
Sat11:00–16:00
Sun11:00–16:00

Admission

From $15

$13 seniors and students; $7 children; free for Historic New England members. $2 for EBT and WIC cardholders, for up to four guests (Mass Cultural Council Card to Culture programme). Prices are those charged in the 2026 season before the house closed for restoration.

Accessibility

Tours involve standing, walking and stairs. Visitors with limited mobility may be able to enjoy a first-floor tour of the house and grounds. Folding chairs are provided and a virtual tour can be accessed on a personal device onsite. The site has no ramps, elevators or lifts, and the house is not air-conditioned. Service animals welcome. The current restoration project includes comprehensive accessibility upgrades.

Nearby

Museum of African American History

History2 min walk

Nichols House Museum

History4 min walk

Boston Athenæum

Art5 min walk

Old State House

History8 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Otis House cost?
Standard adult admission to Otis House is $15. $13 seniors and students; $7 children; free for Historic New England members. $2 for EBT and WIC cardholders, for up to four guests (Mass Cultural Council Card to Culture programme). Prices are those charged in the 2026 season before the house closed for restoration.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Otis House?
Otis House is open Temporarily closed. The last tour day before a multi-year restoration and accessibility project was Sunday 30 August 2026, and no reopening date has been announced. In its final season the house was open 3 April - 30 August 2026, Fridays to Sundays, with guided tours on the hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last tour 4 p.m.), closed 4 July. All visits are by guided tour.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Otis House?
Otis House is located at 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA, in the West End / Beacon Hill area of Boston. The nearest stations are Bowdoin (MBTA Blue Line), Charles/MGH (MBTA Red Line), Government Center (MBTA Green & Blue Lines), North Station (MBTA Green & Orange Lines, Commuter Rail).
What can I see at Otis House?
Charles Bulfinch's 1796 Federal mansion at the foot of Beacon Hill, with vividly restored period rooms and Historic New England's HQ. Current highlights include Otis House Digital Visitor Experience, Otis House Guided Tour.
Do I need to book Otis House in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Otis House?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Is Otis House accessible?
Tours involve standing, walking and stairs. Visitors with limited mobility may be able to enjoy a first-floor tour of the house and grounds. Folding chairs are provided and a virtual tour can be accessed on a personal device onsite. The site has no ramps, elevators or lifts, and the house is not air-conditioned. Service animals welcome. The current restoration project includes comprehensive accessibility upgrades.

Daderot, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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