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Longyear Museum is a historical
museum, open to the public since the late 1930s. Its mission is to
advance the understanding of the life and work of Mary Baker Eddy, the
Discoverer, Founder, and Leader of Christian Science.
The founder of the Museum was Mary Beecher Longyear. Her collection on
the life history of Mary Baker Eddy and people associated with her in
the Christian Science movement form the basis of the Museum’s
collections.
The Museum was originally housed in the Brookline home of John M. and
Mary Beecher Longyear at 120 Seaver Street, now the site of the
condominiums called Longyear at Fisher Hill. The Museum moved into its
present building in Chestnut Hill in 1999.
Many visitors begin their tour of Longyear in the orientation theater,
where they can watch a short introductory film about Mary Baker Eddy. An
audio guide is available for the major exhibit, Mary Baker Eddy: A
Spiritual Journey.
This exhibit traces the events of Mrs. Eddy’s life, from her girlhood in
rural New Hampshire to her founding of the Church of Christ, Scientist.
Her remarkable life history – a story of courage and triumph against
tremendous odds – engages interest and respect, regardless of one’s
religious background.
The Baker Family exhibit invites visitors to experience the humor and
genuine affection that characterized young Mary Baker’s family. Through
original letters, recorded by actors, Museum visitors can listen to
Mary’s parents and siblings share their feelings and concerns for each
other and their hopes for the future.
The Museum has in its collection some 150 portraits of students and
followers of Christian Science from its early history. Many of these
portraits were commissioned in the 1920s by the founder of the Museum,
Mary Beecher Longyear. A selection of these portraits hangs in the
Longyear Portrait Gallery.
A new temporary exhibit in the Portrait Gallery opened in June 2006.
Titled Imparting a fresh impulse: Mary Baker Eddy teaches the class of
1898, this exhibit draws on the Museum’s collections of art, artifacts,
photographs, and reminiscences.
The grounds are part of the Museum’s exhibits too. Visitors are welcomed
to the Pleasant View Walk by the iron and granite gate that once greeted
guests at Mary Baker Eddy’s home in Concord, New Hampshire. A
summerhouse (or gazebo) and an ornate cast iron and zinc fountain from
the late 19th century, both from the Concord property, are part of this
outdoor exhibit.
There’s a peaceful courtyard with umbrella-covered tables, where
visitors can enjoy light refreshments. And a Museum Store that offers a
selection of gifts. Books and audio books, cards, toys, a selection of
music on CDs and tapes, and more, are for sale in the store.
In addition to the Brookline site, Longyear welcomes the public to six
historic houses in which Mary Baker Eddy once lived. In Massachusetts,
these houses are in Amesbury, Stoughton, and Swampscott, and in New
Hampshire, they are in Concord, North Groton, and Rumney.
The community is always welcome to visit Longyear. There is no admission
fee, and there is free on-site parking.
Our Discovery Day programs for families during school vacation weeks
have been very popular with our neighbors and visitors from the
community.
The Museum is frequently the venue for concerts: Brookline Music School
presents an annual concert featuring the school’s outstanding voice
students. And Longyear has been pleased to present concerts by Marylou
Speaker Churchill, former Principal Second violin of the Boston Symphony
Orchestra.
Programs and events – historical, musical, family-oriented, and more -
are scheduled from September through June. For the latest information,
please see the Calendar of Events at:
www.longyear.org
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