Friend Street in Amesbury is lined with homes that date to the 19th century. One, however, is particularly special, and most will miss it if they’re not looking carefully. 86 Friend Street was the home of John Greenleaf Whittier, a man whose life lasted nearly the entirety of the transformative 19th century. Whittier was a poet, famous during his life and after it. He wrote Snowbound which earned him national recognition and a steady income; something he was lacking until that point.
Many don’t know, however, that Whittier was also an abolitionist, friends with famous contemporaries like William Lloyd Garrison and Charles Sumner. Many of the momentous occasions that shaped the abolitionist cause involved Whittier; Charles Sumner visited him when recovering from his assault on the senate room floor, Whittier was working in Pennsylvania Hall when it was burned down by a pro-slavery mob, and he was attacked for his anti-slavery beliefs both in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In addition to his published works, he wrote hundreds of letters during his long life, giving us fascinating details about his beliefs and the world he lived in.
Fortunately, the home at 86 Friend Street is now a museum, preserved by the Whittier Home Association, and open to the public. While the home changed significantly during the 56 years Whittier owned it, it has not changed much since the early 1900s. Visitors to the museum can view furniture, photographs, books, desks, and even clothing that was owned by Whittier himself!
Over the last two years, the museum’s leadership has implemented a new strategic plan. That plan paved the way for hiring the museum’s first executive director and initiating a new series of public programs with the goal of more community engagement. In the near future, the museum will change its tour, install a new exhibit on Whittier’s abolitionist work, and reexamine its historically and culturally significant collection.
The public is encouraged to visit to learn about the fascinating life and work of John Greenleaf Whittier, a man whose quiet activism in the face of grave danger should make Amesbury proud. The museum’s 2026 open hours are on Saturdays from 11AM to 1PM. Tours are also available by appointment outside of open hours. The organization welcomes visits from schools and offers special programming for students, children, and adults. For more information on visiting the museum or to learn about upcoming programming, visit www.whittierhome.org.
Step inside the doors of the Whittier Home, and you will learn about America’s past and how it shaped the America we know today.