Tour: Upstairs Downstairs

This tour explores the lives of young Irish immigrant women who worked in domestic service in Boston’s Back Bay, bringing attention to the often-unseen individuals who kept large households running. Visitors will focus on the working and living spaces of the staff, gaining insight into daily routines, labor conditions, and personal experiences through preserved rooms and compelling stories. Highlights include access to the coal shed, the last surviving example in the Back Bay, and the fifth-floor servant bedroom, which offers a powerful glimpse into servant life.

Guests should be aware that the tour involves walking up and down several flights of stairs, and the Gibson House is not air-conditioned. In addition to regularly scheduled tours, specialty and private group tours are available by appointment, providing flexible options for those interested in a more customized experience.