News Release

Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site Celebrates Completion of Conservation Projects in Longfellow's Study

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 26, 2024

Cambridge, MA—With generous support from the Friends of Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters, Inc., the National Park Service proudly announces the completion of a suite of museum collection conservation projects in the Longfellow House study. This historic room is the heart of the Longfellow House; it served as General George Washington's meeting/dining room in the early days of the American Revolution and later as poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s creative workspace, where he penned many of his best-known works.

This museum collection conservation work, aimed at preserving the integrity and historic significance of this iconic space, included five important projects:

• Conservation of Longfellow’s Inkstand: One of the poet’s inkstands, a vital artifact of his creative process, underwent meticulous conservation to restore it to its original condition and ensure its longevity for future generations to appreciate. Read more.
• Conservation of Longfellow’s Writing Case: Longfellow’s writing case, another essential item in the poet’s daily writing routine, received expert care to stabilize and preserve its structure and traces of use. Read more.
• Reproduction of Window Seat Cushions: The window seat cushions, deteriorated by decades of light exposure, were faithfully reproduced using historically accurate materials and techniques.
• Reproduction of Window Treatments: The window treatments were meticulously reproduced to match the original designs, ensuring an authentic appearance.
• Conservation of Window Cornices: The intricate pressed bronze window cornices were carefully conserved to remove back paint and preserve their detailed craftsmanship.

These projects were made possible with the generous support of the Friends of Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters, Inc. The non-profit’s commitment to preserving the cultural and historical heritage of the Longfellow House study ensures that visitors can continue to experience the room as it was during Longfellow’s lifetime.

"We’re incredibly grateful to the Friends of Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters for their unwavering support of these essential conservation projects," said Longfellow House Museum Curator David Daly. "Over many years, their efforts have helped the National Park Service preserve this treasured site, allowing the public to appreciate Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poetical legacy and the rich history of his family home."

Completion of these museum collection conservation projects marks a significant milestone in the ongoing preservation of Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site. Visitors are invited to explore the study and experience the museum collections that bring this iconic room to life on ranger-led tours through October 28, 2024.

About Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site

Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site preserves a remarkable Georgian house whose occupants shaped the nation. It was a site of colonial enslavement and community activism, George Washington’s first long-term headquarters of the American Revolution, and the place where Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his canon of 19th-century American literature. Grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk. From May 24 through October 28, 2024, the site is open for free, ranger-led house tours every Friday through Monday. More at www.nps.gov/longfellow.