When it comes to historic sites in Massachusetts, what is on the outside is often just as amazing as what is on the inside. The buildings we visit are just one piece of a historic property that has been lovingly preserved for both education as well as pleasure. The gardens, paths, and, greenspaces beyond the buildings, often overlooked by busy tourists, are sometimes the most wonderful part of the experience.

The Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters in Cambridge is one of these unique places. For almost 40 years, the house was home to poet Henry W. Longfellow.
Dani/Foursquare
From 1775-1776, it also served as the headquarters for General George Washington. The property is now managed by the National Parks Service. I took a tour of the property a while back and found it to be really interesting.
Outside of the Longfellow house is a short but beautiful 0.7-mile loop trail.
mingsheng huang/AllTrails
The path is paved, which makes it a great trail for those with strollers, wheelchairs, and other mobility devices. It is an easy walk that takes about 12 minutes to complete.

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Enjoy some time wandering through the formal garden. It is beautifully landscaped with colorful flowers, statues, and quiet places to sit.
Ben D/AllTrails
The garden was based on the original property layout. There is also a shaded lawn area, which is a great place to relax on a hot summer day.
You don’t even need to take a tour of the Longfellow house to enjoy the grounds. The gardens are open from morning until evening and admission to them is free of charge.
Management/TripAdvisor
The National Parks Service encourages visitors to relax and enjoy the beauty of the outdoor space.
You can even borrow books, art supplies, and games to enjoy on the lawn. Just head over to the site’s visitors center and they will help you out.
Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site/Facebook
Visitors may also enjoy the Longfellow House outdoor spaces by attending one of the many events such as poetry readings, music, and children's events that are put on by the National Park Service.

Have you visited the Longfellow National Historic Site or any of the other Massachusetts Historical Sites or Park such as the Minute Man National Park and the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park? Please let us know what you thought about your experience!

For more information on the Longfellow National Historic Site, please visit the Longfellow House – Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site website and the Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site Facebook page.

If you are interested in taking a historical tour of the Cambridge area, I suggest taking the informative Harvard Campus Cambridge Self-Guided Walking Tour.

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