Join The Gibson House Museum for a two-hour historical walking tour of Nahant led by Chris Mathias (past president, Nahant Historical Society) and Ken Turino (Historic New England).
The smallest town in Massachusetts, Nahant does not come up short in history. Located on two islands, it was originally part of Lynn (1629), separating in 1853.
On this tour you will see significant and architecturally diverse Nahant historical sites, the summer homes of the Gibsons and their Hammond relatives, and the location of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s house. At frequent stops along the way, you’ll learn about Nahant’s rich history. Hear the stories of the workers, politicians, poets, scientists, artists, and Egg Rock lighthouse keepers who called Nahant home. See the sites of the grand hotels dating from when Nahant was “the” summer resort for the Boston elite, as well as an amusement park and military installations for coastal defense.
The tour loops from one end of Big Nahant to the other, with spectacular views out to the open ocean one way and Boston on the other.
Expect a leisurely stroll of 2.5 miles on paved roads, with the ups and downs of Nahant’s terrain. The tour will end with a glass of bubbly or lemonade, with time to reflect on what you have experienced on the terrace of the hosts’ home overlooking the ocean.
We promise an enjoyable and enlightening experience! Come prepared with sturdy walking shoes and an inquisitive mind.
Ken Turino and Chris Mathias are the authors of Nahant (1999); in December 2021 Chris Mathias authored Nahant Revisited.
$25 Gibson House members; $30 non-members Space is limited!
