Emily Dickinson’s birthday is on December 10th, and there’s no better way to celebrate than to visit her home-turned-museum in Amherst, Massachusetts.
It’s hard to understate the impact Emily Dickinson’s poetry had on American literature, even a century after she’s passed—and her former home stands as a monument to her work and life.
Emily Dickinson and Her Legacy
Emily Dickinson was one of America’s greatest and most influential poets, though her poetry was mostly unknown while she was alive. She had a very sheltered, secluded life, and while close friends and family knew she wrote poems, she only published seven of them. It wasn’t until after she died in 1886 that her sister discovered the nearly 1,800 poems hidden in her room.
Dickinson’s poetry is best known for its concise style, unconventional punctuation, and raw takes on death, nature, and love. She made a huge impact in poetry at the time, using dashes for pauses—common now, but certainly not then—and bent the rules of literary conventions to fit the voice she wanted to bring out into the world. To this day, scholars study her work, and many regard her as a poetic genius.
The house where she lived stands to this day in Amherst, Massachusetts, immortalized as a museum dedicated to her life and works. It’s also locally known as the Homestead.
Emily Dickinson’s Birthday Celebrations
Emily Dickinson’s birthday lands on December 10, and every year, the Homestead hosts a birthday celebration. This includes poetry readings, guided tours of her former home, and other events that highlight her life and work.
Many also choose to go to Amherst’s West Cemetery to visit Dickinson’s grave. It’s a short walk from the museum, which may be one of the reasons why so much of her work touched on themes surrounding death and grief.
The museum isn’t the only place in Amherst that celebrates, either. Quite a few local schools and organizations sometimes sponsor programs or activities to appreciate Dickinson and the impact her work had on American literature.
The Charm of the Dickinson Homestead: What to Expect
When you visit the Homestead, you can either take a guided tour or simply wander about on your own. The guided tours last 45 minutes and allow up to eight people per group. While it is possible to buy your tickets the day of, you’re much, much better off booking in advance. After all, if it’s too busy, there won’t be anyone available to guide you by the time you arrive.
The guide will talk in-depth about the Homestead’s historical significance and Dickinson’s personal and creative life. Specifically, you’ll learn more about her education at Mount Holyoke seminary, her gardening passion, and her network of correspondence. Even though she didn’t go out much in her later years, she wrote loads to people of all sorts. Guides are also known to recite Dickinson’s poetry along the tour, which is a nice touch.
Even without a guide, you can still get a lot out of a visit—but unlike guided tours, general admission is ONLY available on certain weekend afternoons. You can explore the library, parlors, garden, and Dickinson’s bedroom. The latter was likely where she wrote most of her poetry, and comes complete with a replica of her writing desk and a display of her iconic white dress.
Alternatively, you can check out the museum’s virtual tours.
Other Nearby Literary Sites
If you want to visit other literary sites while you’re in Amherst, one gem is the Amherst Writers Walk. It includes the Homestead (of course), but also other houses formerly owned by famous journalists, writers, and poets.
Norton Juster, the author of The Phantom Tollbooth, lived just a few streets away from Dickinson, albeit a century after her passing. Shirley Graham Du Bois—a prominent voice for black Americans—lived at the Inn on Boltwood in the ’70s while teaching at the nearby university.
The walk can be a bit of a doozy (definitely want to pack a water bottle), but it’s self-guided, so you can go at your own pace and skip over any sites that don’t interest you.
If you have kids (or you’re just feeling nostalgic), the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is another great stop. It’s quite far from the center of Amherst, but it’s a beautiful museum with lots of fun, interactive exhibits.
Tips for Making the Most Out of Your Visit
The closest major city to Amherst is Springfield, MA, which has the Peter Pan bus. This will take you to the Amherst Town Commons, which is a short, 8-minute walk away from the museum. If you’re traveling from within Amherst, the closest bus stop is on Churchill Street.
Hours can vary throughout the year, so it’s important to double-check the website. Generally, the museum is open from March to December, and guided tours are available between Wednesday and Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Important note: general admission is only available on certain weekend afternoons. Don’t think you can just waltz in whenever without a problem!
Be sure to book your tickets in advance. They can get a little pricey at $20 per adult, but kids (17 and under) and some college students (specifically, those going to Amherst College, Hampshire, Mt Holyoke, Smith, and UMass) can get in for free. Students who go to different colleges can get a slight discount.
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Migz
K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
