The Pierce-Hichborn House is located in the heart of Boston's historic north end. It is a national landmark. The Pierce-Hichborn House is shown by appointment only.
Built in 1833, the Forbes House Museum chronicles the history of an entrepreneurial American family. This Greek Revival mansion was constructed for Margaret Perkins Forbes by her sons Captain Robert Bennet Forbes (1804-1889) and John Murray Forbes (1813-1898). Today, the Museum holds the treasures of four generations of the Forbes family.
A National Historic Landmark, and ranked as one of the top 10 most important buildings in the country by the American Institute of Architects, Trinity Church, designed by Henry Hobson Richardson and built in 1877, is still a sight to behold with magnificent steeples and stained glass windows overlooking Copley Square. It's a major draw for tourists, especially in the summer, and self-guided tours of the interior are available daily for $6. The price is worth it, but you can also see the inside for free on Sundays at 12:15pm.
Heavy rounded arches, rough stone and the use of many colors propelled Richardson and Trinity Church to international fame, and it's considered the start of the "Richardsonian Romanesque" architectural style.
Trinity Church is also known for its collection of stained glass windows, including 19th-century work by John La Farge, one of the first to use a layering technique that brought new colors, shadings, and a three dimensional look to stained glass.
Downstairs from the sanctuary, visit the Shop at Trinity Church, where you can purchase a tour or pick up a unique spiritual gift. Religious and secular items include books recommended by the clergy, stationary, jewelry, postcards and other souvenirs. Much of it is designed by local artists.
Built by the famous architect Samuel McIntire and named for Alexander Hamilton, Hamilton Hall has been a gathering place and function hall since 1805. Today, the hall is commonly rented for weddings and corporate functions. In addition to the beauty of the soaring columns and detailed mirrors, one of the most innovative features of the hall is the spring floor which lets partygoers keep dancing through the long hours of the night. The ballroom can be used for both wedding ceremonies and receptions, and the neutral tones fit in perfectly with any event's décor.
This historic estate was the final residence of Gari Melchers, an obscure, but decorated, naturalist painter who enjoyed his heyday in the late 19th and early 20th century. This estate, overlooking the Rappahannock River in Falmouth, today hosts a museum covering the history of the estate and displays a gallery of paintings. The property also hosts walking paths.
The Rising Sun Tavern was originally built in the mid-1700s and became a bustling tavern in the late 1700s. Its original owner was Charles Washington, George Washington's brother. These days, the building serves as an interpretation of what a colonial tavern looked like back in the 18th century. Visitors can mingle with "tavern wenches" to a backdrop of colonial antiques, all while learning more about the history of Fredericksburg.
