Sargent House Museum

Sargent House Museum is a house museum in Gloucester housed in a high Georgian architectural structure at 49 Middle Street. Inside, period furniture, American decorative arts, and family portraits showcase how the residents lived and expressed their tastes.

The house was built in 1782 and became home to Judith Sargent Murray, an early American writer who championed women's education and self-determination. The residence became a center for intellectual and artistic circles in the new nation.

The house displays paintings and prints by notable American artists whose work reflects the family's artistic interests and tastes. You can see how these pieces are arranged throughout the rooms, contributing to the home's character and the conversations it hosted.

The museum opens for guided tours on most weekends during the warmer months, so visitors should plan to spend a few hours exploring the rooms and details. A gift shop on-site offers books and local souvenirs related to the home's history.

The central staircase features a distinctive undercut spiral newel and dual types of spiral balusters that caught the eye of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1915, which tried to purchase it. This architectural detail represents an uncommon example of skilled craftsmanship from the period.

Location: Gloucester

Website: https://sargenthouse.org

GPS coordinates: 42.61260,-70.66500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:41