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The Nichols House Museum is a private, nonprot 501(c)3 corporaon with the following mission: The Nichols House Museum preserves and interprets the 1804 Federal townhouse that was home to landscape gar-dener, suragist and pacist Rose Standish Nichols and her family. Their home and its original art and furnishings provide a glimpse into life on historic Beacon Hill from the mid-19th to mid-20th Century. The Museum educates and inspires the public through innovave programs, and it connues the conversaon on the social concerns the Nichols family em-braced that are sll relevant today. MISSION STATEMENT Photograph by James Kirkikis.
All images in this report are from the Nichols House Museum Permanent Collecon unless otherwise stated. Perspecve Sketch, Mount Vernon Street. Theron Irving Cain (American, 1893-1988), 1914. Graphite on paper.
We are grateful to the planning sub-commiee of the Board of Governors in connuing to work with our consultant, Laura Roberts, on rening a new strategic plan. Our updated vision embraces the creavity, tenacity, and lifelong accomplishments of the three Nichols sisters. The Nichols House Museum occupies the former home of Rose, Marian, and Margaret Nichols. Aributed to architect Charles Bulnch, their 1804 townhouse is one of the earliest of its kind preserved in the historic neighborhood of Boston’s Beacon Hill. In 1885, Dr. Arthur and Mrs. Elizabeth Nichols purchased the townhouse, thus choosing an environment that encouraged their daughters to mature into designers, writers, and social acvists. These themes were present in a range of public programs presented by the Museum during 2023-24, including four exhibions on view on the rst oor. These small exhibions featured archival and collecons objects not normally on display during museum tours. Daily tour visitaon increased signicantly over the previous scal year, and we welcomed visitors from across the country and the globe. The Museum developed its rst walking tour of Beacon Hill, highlighng the neighborhood’s arsts and social acvists. Addional themed tours focused on the topics of cra, collecng, and domesc sta. One of the ways that the Nichols House connually works towards increased visibility in the Greater Boston community is through its partnerships. Programming partners included MIT Libraries, the William Hickling Presco House, Historic Deereld, and Beacon Hill Garden Club. LEADERSHIP REPORT
Keeta Gilmore President, Board of Governors Linda Marshall Execuve Director We would like to express our gratude for your ongoing support of the Nichols House Museum. As a non-prot organizaon, the parcipaon and generosity of donors, supporters, visitors and friends enables us to connue our work in educaon and preservaon. We also thank our Board of Governors and commiee members for all that you do to further the mission of the Museum. Wool and linen cushion, Rose Standish Nichols. [Boston, Massachuses, United States of America], late 19th to early 20th century.
Over the past year the building and grounds commiee worked with the execuve director on the following projects: • Idened new security system vendor for system audit. Contracted with Lexington Alarm Systems for system upgrade and ongoing system monitoring. COMPLETED • Restoraon and replacement of 44 exterior shuers. The Museum received a $72,400 Community Preservaon Grant from the City of Boston to support the project. Ford Ogden of Architectural Housewrights is compleng the project. Nine total shuers were restored and the remaining shuers are new construcon. ONGOING • Repair of hole in copper roof of back shed by The Folle Company. COMPLETED • Copper cover added to HVAC wiring on the north wall of the main building by The Folle Company. This was the nal component of the Collecons Conservaon Project/HVAC system upgrade. COMPLETED • The main power cable to the street failed and was replaced by Eversource. The project involved digging in the street and through a poron of the sidewalk but did not impact the museum’s front courtyard. COMPLETED BUILDING AND GROUNDS Oliver Bouchier & Brigid Williams, Co-Chairs
COLLECTIONS Elizabeth Campanella & Nonie Gadsden, Co-Chairs In FY24, the Collecons Commiee connued to execute best pracces in collecons care. Highlights of the year include: • Recommended the repair of the pole on a Chinese & English mid-to-late 19th century wooden pole screen in the parlor. COMPLETED • Recommended the conservaon of the wooden pedestal bases for two monumental Japanese lacquer vases in the parlor. COMPLETED • Recommended the replacement of two lampshades in the dining room. The replacement shades were custom-made by Boston Anques and Lamp Shades. COMPLETED • Recommended following up with the Texle Conservaon Lab at Cathedral of St John the Divine in NYC regarding the conservaon treatment of the tapestries in the parlor and dining room. Marlene Eidelheit, director of the lab, visited the museum in August of 2023. Conservaon and treatment reports and esmates were provided to the Museum. COMPLETED • Recommended a new shelving unit in the collecons storage area. COMPLETED • Discussed moving forward with archives digizaon with Boston Public Library and Digital Commonwealth. IN PROGRESS Cleaning the glass bulb jars which decorate the butlers pantry window.
The monies raised by the Annual Appeal fund the Nichols House Museum’s operang budget, covering programming, stang, and oce operaons. This is an unrestricted fund that also supports collecons care and the preservaon work needed to maintain the 1804 townhouse. In FY24 we raised approximately $54,300. Sixty-seven households donated. We wish to thank our friends and the communies of Beacon Hill and beyond for their ongoing and generous support. DEVELOPMENT Suzanne Besser & Elizabeth Campanella, Co-Chairs ANNUAL APPEAL
The Museum’s general membership program, which includes $45 Individual, $75 Family, $125 Friend, and $300 Sponsor levels, involved 91 acve member households in FY24. General membership renewals connue on a monthly rolling basis. Members enjoy reduced rates on admission to Nichols House programs and special events, as well as discounts on gi shop items. A benet for members at the Friend level and above is North American Reciprocal Membership (NARM), which oers free admission and shop discounts at over 1,400 member instuons in six dierent countries. MEMBERSHIP PATRON PROGRAM Through the generous support of our Patron member households, the Museum is able to connue its important work preserving both the building and collecon to the highest standard. In FY24, Patron Membership brought in $20,250, across thirty-two member households. Development, Continued Jacobean Revival Style Table. [English, possibly German], late 19th century
We would like the thank the Co-Chairs, Heidi A. Dooley and Jessica Vaule, and the full Holiday House Tour Commiee for a fun and successful Tour. Under the guidance of the Co-Chairs, we debuted a new social media strategy, including updated branding featuring a arst designed crest. The 2023 Tour featured ve homes fesvely decorated, as well as the William Hickling Presco House, home to the Naonal Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Massachuses. At the Museum, visitors were treated to the exhibit “Winter Pleasures at 55 Mt. Vernon” and cold-weather fashion items on loan from the NSCDA-MA. Along the tour route the Olde Towne Carolers and the Back Bay Ringers performed holiday carols. This year’s recepon at the King’s Chapel Parish House featured fesve jazz by pianist Joe Mulholland and bassist Bruce Gertz. With the generous support of business sponsors, individual sponsors, cket buyers, and ad purchasers, the Nichols House Museum need $61,300. This year’s Tour was supported by 19 sponsors, with 386 ckets sold to the event. 2023 also saw the return of the tradional Eggnog Party, reimagined as a Pre-Party to kick o the House Tour weekend! We would like to thank our business sponsors, Compass Realty and Cambridge Trust for their contribuons. We are grateful to the kind homeowners who opened their houses for this fundraiser. Holiday House Tour Subcommittee Heidi A. Dooley and Jessica Vaule, Co-Chairs BEACON HILL HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR 2024
The Governance Commiee worked conscienously to conrm the Nichols House Museum’s slate of ocers for 2024-2025 and idened promising candidates to join the Museum’s Board of Governors. With the help of the Execuve Director, the Governance Commiee idened the needs of the Museum and extended an invitaon to Deborah Hanley, Eliza Hodgson, and Jessica Value to join the Board of Governors. The Commiee thanked rering Governors Oliver Bouchier, Beth Campanella, Amy Ryan, Paula Stookey, and Karen Cord Taylor for their commied service on the Board. The Board of Governors voted on and approved the slate at the annual meeng held on May 14, 2024. GOVERNANCE Sandra Steele, Chair Performance: The 1 year return for the scal year is 11.45% versus S&P 500 of 29.88%, and Aggregate Bond Index of 1.7%. On year to date ending 3/31/2024, NHM +3.80%, S&P 500 +10.56% and Aggregate Bond -0.78%. The past scal year has been a general upward market (bullish) although mostly dened by high valuaon growth companies moving up sharply, partly dened by “the magnicent 7”; Tesla, Google, Amazon, Microso, Apple, Nvidia, and Meta. Large companies have vastly outperformed smaller and midsize companies. Also growth companies also outperformed value or companies paying dividends. Explanaons for this are many but modern trading and invesng in index ETFs are part of it. Since the Nichols House Museum has been mostly defensive, holding INVESTMENT Mark Rickabaugh, Chair
large short term Treasury bonds as reserves (yielding almost 5%), as well as value biased equies and ETFs, the above performance is no surprise. What is surprising is that the divergence has lasted so long. The recent market correcon in April indicates change may be underway as growth and value changing places in this period. Investment Outlook: The economy looks prey good with full employment, good prot margins, and some growth (although slowing again), unhampered by COVID constraints. The newer constraints are higher interest rates especially compared to ZIRP (zero interest rate policies) over the last 15 years and a more dicult long term inaon outlook. Increasing globalizaon for the last 35 years has helped keep inaon at lower levels as oshoring lowered costs of almost everything, with the help of a super ecient shipping infrastructure. The world now faces negligible increase in globalizaon and possibly negave or de-globalizaon in the years ahead. Luckily much of the technology revoluon connues to add producvity gains but a huge poron of these gains have occurred. The eects from more AI (arcial intelligence) is sll a work in process. Overall market valuaon is at or near peaks of other notable periods; 1929, 1999, and 2022, while the whole Treasury yield curve has moved up and short term rates are being kept at high levels by the Federal Reserve to restrain inaonary trends and perhaps to control some of the mail-investment under previous ZIRP policies. Although interest rates should decline somewhat with declines in the inaon rate, there will be a constant tug upward on rates from the Treasury’s need to nance ever larger scal decits and interest costs on outstanding debt. The overall environment remains a place for defensive investment. Investment, Continued
Carved oak chair. Irving & Casson A.H. Davenport Co. and Rose Standish Nichols. [Boston, Massachuses, United States of America], 1910-1950
Financially, the Nichols House Museum performed as budgeted in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 2024) with a highlight being a marked upck in admissions as visitors returned to the Museum. The Nichols House Museum’s operang loss was signicantly less than budgeted in FY 2024. The Nichols House sta exercised great scal discipline in FY 2024 while the generosity of our many friends and supporters helped drive operang income. Posively, the Museum’s net assets increased to $4.0 million as of the year-end March 31, 2024. This increase was largely due to the endowment’s investment income and gains on investments. From an operang perspecve, the Museum's total revenue and support (exclusive of investment income/loss) was $249,300 in FY 2024 versus $323,000 in FY 2023. This change reected a decrease in fund-raising events of $132,700 in FY 2024 to a net $61,300 versus a net of $194,000 in FY 2023 which included the very successful Rose Standish Nichols Award Event. Donor Contribuons came in strong during FY 2024 increasing by $8,100 to $54,600 vs $46,500 in FY 2023. Admissions in FY 2024 were up by $6,300 to $24,200 versus $17,900 in FY 2023. Membership dues connue to be an area of focus as they decreased by $7,900 to $26,000 in FY 2024 versus $33,900 in FY 2023, It is important to point out that each year the Museum must raise approximately two-thirds of its operang budget from fundraising events, memberships and donaons. The other one-third is the annual draw from the endowment. If any one of these non-endowment sources fall short of projecons it can have a very negave eect on the Museum’s nancial posion. Therefore, it is crical that members and friends of the Museum connue acvely to support its fundraising events, pay dues as general members or as Patrons, and aend various virtual and in-person events and programs scheduled throughout the year. FINANCE David T. Thibodeau, Chair
This support is vital for the vibrancy of the Museum, thank you all. Also, on the posive side, revenue improvements in both realized/unrealized investment gains and investment income brought our reported Total Revenue and Support to $558,700 in FY 2024 vs $94,000 in FY 2023. This reected both improved stock market performance and an increase in interest rates in FY 2024. The Museum’s GAAP reported operang expenses increased to $406,400, in FY 2024 from $372,200 in FY 2023, The increase in operang expenses was related to increases in program, preservaon and personnel costs as the Museum returned to more normal operaons. From a budgeng perspecve, operang revenues during the year came in modestly ahead of our inial budget, by approximately 4% largely due to a successful Annual Appeal and previously menoned improvements in Admission. Total operang budget expenses which are managed against budget throughout the year came in slightly under budget at $335,000 in FY 2024 versus our budget of $343,200. Net operang loss of approximately ($16,900) was beer than the budget of ($38,000). Non-Operang Results: FY 2024 non-operang income of $309,400 was up from a negave ($229,300) in FY 2023 primarily due to Realized/Unrealized Gains in the endowment account supported an increase in Investment Income. Balance Sheet Highlights: The Museum’s operang cash posion as of March 31, 2024 was $676,250 compared to $646,600 on March 31, 2023. Approximately 84% of the cash balance as of March 31, 2023 was held in a high yielding money market fund at Fidelity Investments. Finance, Continued
Finance, Continued Endowment and Other Maers: Turning to the endowment, the market value of the Museum's endowment as of March 31, 2024 was $2.7 million compared to $2.6 million at March 31, 2023. The net value of the endowment as of March 31, 2024 reected improved nancial markets throughout the scal year and approved drawdowns. In accordance with a board-approved formula, the Museum drew down $130,000 during the scal year to support its operaons. Drawdowns from the endowment are budgeted at 5.0% of the average endowment balance over the prior three years based on the monthly ending endowment value. These drawdowns nance a poron, approximately 32%, of annual operang expenses. The Museum expects its endowment over the long term to grow at an average of one percent annually above the current spending policy (annual drawdown). This is consistent with the objecve to maintain the purchasing power of the endowment assets held in perpetuity or for a specied term as well as to provide addional growth through new gis and investment return. We would like to thank Mark Rickabaugh, our very talented and devoted Chair of the Investment Commiee, for his connuing service as the Chair of this important commiee and for connuing to steer our endowment through changing and novel market and economic condions and producing consistently strong returns based on our risk tolerance and prole. Mark is planning to leave his post as Investment Commiee Chair in FY 2025. We are currently in a search for a new Investment Chair and endowment manager. The Museum’s endowment is held at Fidelity Investments and its operang account is held at the Cambridge Trust Company. The Museum’s accountants for the last three scal years have been Bacall and Conni, which completed a review of the nancials for this past scal year.
OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS
OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS
ANNUAL FUND FY2024 The Nichols House Museum would like to thank the following generous donors Anonymous David Abrams & Anne Kathryn Goodman Brian & Meghan Awe Meryl Beckingham Suzanne & John Besser Dr. Lynda Schubert Bodman Suzanne Bruno Beth Campanella Flavia Cigliano Teresa & Douglas Chope Chrisne Clyde Anne V. Conner Linda Cox Carol Deane Ronald & Julie Druker Kate Enroth & Dana Schmaltz William Finch David & Laura Finley Thomas A. J. Frank & Alexandra Hasngs Christopher Gabrieli & Hilary Bacon Gabrieli Keeta Gilmore Elizabeth M. Glowacki Elizabeth Hagopian Lisa Ingelnger Harris Elizabeth Heide Corinne Hetzler Barbara & Amos Hosteer Jim Borden Memorial Fund Elizabeth B. Johnson Elizabeth L. Johnson Mary A. Kane Holly Laurent Barbara & Earl Lewis Henry Lee Meg Lilly Love-Woodsum Foundaon R. Bradford & Sharon Malt Mary & Michael McGuinness James & Maureen Mellowes Sara Moore Rebecca Mulzer David & Lynn Neligan Sharon Nolan & James Rosenfeld Mark Kimball Nichols Steven O'Donnell
Shep & Lisa Perkins Plimpton - Shauck Fund Lynne & Mark Rickabaugh David & Chrisne Root Leah Rosovosky Amy Ryan & Harold Carroll Annagret & Alexander Sacerdote David Scudder Mrs. Lee T. Sprague Sandra Steele & Paul Greeneld Karen Cord Taylor David & Charloe Thibodeau Mary Thomsen & Harold Weintraub Krisn & Paul Trautman Nancy Tye Joan M. Van Boven Brigid Williams & Patrick Hickox William & Emi Winterer Georgina Winthrop & Robert Stevenson Sara Withington Veduta of San Giorgio Maggiore. School of Francesco Guardi Italian. Md-17th to mid-18th century.
Earthenware vase, Dutch, ca. 1895, made by Thoovt and Labouchere.
MUSEUM PATRONS 2023-2024 The Nichols House Museum would like to thank the following supporters of the Patrons Program Diana: Suzanne & John Besser Dr. Lynda Schubert Bodman Elizabeth Campanella Diane Gipson Elizabeth B. Johnson Elizabeth L. Johnson Margaret Lilly Therese Minton Elizabeth Owens Lynne & Mark Rickabaugh Amy Ryan & Harold Carroll Sandra Steele & Paul Greeneld Karen and Daniel Taylor Greg Van Boven & David Beck William & Emi Winterer Sonja Yates Nike: Oliver Bouchier & Daria Regan Greer Candler Frances Colburn Anne V. Conner Carol Deane Kate Enroth & Dana Schmaltz Keeta Gilmore Thomas Hillery David Kirk Eleanor Lawrence Jean Lawrence & Peter Petri Barbara & Earl Lewis Ann Merrield & Wayne Davis Chrisne & David Root Jane Roy Molly & Bill Sherden Paula Stookey Jessica Vaule
HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR SPONSORS The Nichols House Museum would like to thank the following generous supporters Star Sponsors: Oliver Bouchier & Daria Regan Barbara and Amos Hosteer Elizabeth B. Johnson Lynne & Mark Rickabaugh Greg Van Boven & David Beck Jessica Vaule Garland Sponsors: Elizabeth Campanella The Dooley Family Sandra Steele & Paul Greeneld Balsam Sponsors: Jean Burlingame Anne V. Conner Kate Enroth and Dana Schmaltz Lydia Kimball Paige Lescure James and Maureen Mellowes Amy Ryan & Harold Caroll
Donors: Hope L. Baker Lynda Schubert Bodman John Corey and Miguel Rosales Carol Deane Elizabeth Owens Patricia Quinn Karen and Daniel Taylor Thank you to our Business Sponsors
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION BOARD of GOVERNORS 2023-24 Ocers Keeta Gilmore President Anne Conner Vice President David Thibodeau Treasurer Georgina Winthrop Secretary Governors Suzanne Besser Lynda Schubert Bodman Oliver Bouchier Elizabeth Campanella Laura Cousineau Leah Rosovsky Amy Ryan Sandra Steele Kim Stockwell Paula Stookey Karen Taylor Gregory Van Boven Eve Waterfall Brigid Williams
Execuve Keeta Gilmore, President Anne Conner, Vice President David Thibodeau, Treasurer Georgina Winthrop, Secretary Linda Marshall, ex ocio Building and Grounds Oliver Bouchier, Co-Chair Brigid Williams, Co-Chair Meghan Awe Bill Finch Alexander Goriansky Leah Rosovsky Julie Solz Sandra Steele Karen Cord Taylor Eve Waterfall Keeta Gilmore, ex ocio Linda Marshall, ex ocio Collecons Elizabeth Campanella, Co-Chair Nonie Gadsden, Co-Chair Connie Coburn Frances Colburn Anne Conner Elizabeth B. Johnson Chrisne Root Julie Solz Keeta Gilmore, ex ocio Linda Marshall, ex ocio Development Suzanne Besser, Co-Chair Elizabeth Campanella, Co-Chair Anne Conner Kate Enroth Kim D. Stockwell Gregory Van Boven Keeta Gilmore, ex ocio Linda Marshall, ex ocio Holiday House Tour Subcommiee Heidi Dooley, Co-Chair Jessica Vaule, Co-Chair RSN Award Subcommiee Keeta Gilmore, Co-Chair Amy Ryan, Co-Chair Finance David Thibodeau, Chair Lynda Schubert Bodman Elizabeth Campanella Sandra Steele Paula Stookey Georgina Winthrop Keeta Gilmore, ex ocio Linda Marshall, ex ocio Governance Sandra Steele, Chair Anne Conner Amy Ryan Gregory Van Boven Keeta Gilmore, ex ocio Linda Marshall, ex ocio Investment Mark Rickabaugh, Chair Sarah Biller Lynda Schubert Bodman Jim Bordewick David Thibodeau Keeta Gilmore, ex ocio Linda Marshall, ex ocio MUSEUM COMMITTEES 2023-24
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION We appreciate the work of the sta, interns and volunteers who are indispensable to the eecve running of the Museum. Here we would like to give special recognion to all who create the best possible experience for our visitors. Sta Linda Marshall, Execuve Director Camille Arbogast, Public Engagement Manager Alyssa Shirley, Collecons Manager Rosalie Wilbur, Development & Administraon Coordinator Annaliese Arnsten, Visitor Services Representave Prence Crosier, Visitor Services Representave Morgan Jones, Visitor Services Representave Anne Lofgren, Visitor Services Representave Diann Ralph, Visitor Services Representave Kirsten Hellwig Underwood, Visitor Services Representave Elizabeth Weisbla, Visitor Services Representave Volunteer Docents Steve O’Donnell With Special Thanks to: Joe Nguyen, web developer Window Box Design and Garden Maintenance Donated by: Wisteria and Rose
PUBLIC PROGRAMS In June, we debuted our rst monthly walking tour, Brahmins & Bohemians, which takes our story beyond the walls of the museum. The tour introduces guests to the Nichols family’s neighbors living in turn of the 20th century Beacon Hill, with an emphasis on other arsts and social acvists. The popular tour sold out three mes. Craswoman and Collector In the autumn, we premiered a new museum tour, Craswoman and Collector. Wrien and led by Visitor Services Representave Elizabeth Weisbla, the tour focuses on texles, highlighng pieces created by Rose Nichols. This tour debuted on October 21st and has been hosted seasonally since. Last scal year, over 1,300 guests aended public programs at the Nichols House Museum. Author Talk & Book Signing Rose Nichols made her conal debut in Frances McNamara’s Molasses Murder in a Nutshell. McNamara, a former Museum volunteer, included Rose in her 1919 mystery set during the Great Molasses Flood. The event was held on April 4th. Brahmins & Bohemians Walking Tour
Women’s History Month In March we had a busy celebraon with a program each week. By Her Own Design On the 27th, Elizabeth Weisbla shared her research on late-19th-century female Boston milliners. Weisbla, a Dress and Texle Historian and Visitor Services Representave, shared items from the 7,000-piece Presco House costume collecon. The presentaon oered a glimpse into the fashions worn by Boston women and helped to shed light on the women creators. “Honest, Neat, & Capable.” — Sta Stories from 55 Mount Vernon We also launched a new domesc sta tour, “Honest, Neat, & Capable.” This builds upon past research into the lives of 55 Mt Vernon Street employees — maids, cooks, and other domesc workers — incorporang their stories into a specialty house tour. This tour will return a few mes each year. Uncovering Stories: A Conversaon with Frances McNamara & Joanne Riley Frances McNamara returned on the 13th to discuss the 2nd book in her new series, Three-Decker Murder in a Nutshell. The mystery takes place in the aermath of the infamous Boston Police Strike. Joanne Riley of UMass Boston’s Joseph P. Healey Library and a director of the 1919 Police Strike Project, which seeks to preserve the life stories of the strikers, also spoke.
PARTNER PROGRAMS Skirts & Slide Rules We were invited by MIT Libraries’ Department of Disncve Collecons, and the Women at MIT Project to parcipate in Skirts & Slide Rules: Women at MIT from the Nichols Sisters to Now, a panel held at the Massachuses Instute of Technology on September 28th. Rose and Margaret’s experiences at MIT were shared alongside those of women from many eras of the school's history. It shed new light on Rose and Margaret’s MIT educaon, helped introduce NHM to a new audience: MIT alums, and developed a relaonship with MIT Library’s special collecons. Garden of Hearts Historic Deereld curator Daniel Sousa delivered a virtual program, Garden of Hearts, on February 6th. While his lecture focused on a carved wooden chest created by a female Arts and Cras woodworker based in Deereld, Sousa also analyzed Rose and Margaret’s work, placing it within the Arts and Cras movement locally. When he later spoke about the Deereld chest at the Furniture History Society’s 48th annual Symposium in London last March, he also included Rose and Margaret’s woodwork. Over 1,300 guests aended our public programs in FY24.
In FY2024 daily tour visitaon increased by 32% over the previous year, with 1,919 visitors. September was our busiest month with 239 guests. We welcomed 128 group tour visitors, including through a partnership with Marrio Custom House. The Advent School second graders visited. They were already very informed about women’s surage, and many had read Margaret’s memoir in their aerschool program. These tours were possible due to eight very capable Visitor Service Representaves: Elizabeth Weisbla, Annaliese Arnsten, Anne Lofgren, Kirsten Hellwig Underwood, Prence Crosier, Steve O’Donnell, Morgan Jones, & Diann Ralph. Visitors rounely cite their amazing VSR as a highlight of their experience. Tours
EXHIBITS FY2024 featured four diverse exhibits in the Museum's lobby case. The spring display included a leer from Isabella Stewart Gardner and Venean glassware from Rose's collecon. The fall exhibit featured several nely stched needlework samplers from around the globe.
Winter Pleasures, highlighng cozy household objects such as a 19th-century foot warmer and porcelain hot chocolate cups used by the Nichols Family. During Women’s History Month we spotlighted the social acvism of the Nichols sisters.
COMMUNITY EVENTS Pedestal Sponsor: Art in Bloom Museum of Fine Arts, Boston During the last weekend of April, the Nichols House Museum was a pedestal sponsor in the MFA’s Art in Bloom. This annual event showcases the experse of New England garden clubs, professional designers, and MFA oral volunteers, who create interpreve arrangements inspired by artworks from the collecon. The oral arrangement was created by Marblehead’s Driwood Garden Club, designed by Ginny von Rueden and Laurie Boggis. Their oral design was paired with Thomas Crawford’s Orpheus and Cerberus. Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill: Beacon Hill Garden Club On May 11th, the Nichols House welcomed visitors of the 94th Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill tour to the Museum. Celebrang Rose Standish Nichols’ career as a pioneering landscape designer, the museum welcomed over 800 visitors to her home with informaon about her training and commissions.