Prescott Townsend House
gay-heritage LGBTQ+ Friendly

Prescott Townsend House

Historic Site 1957

Beacon Hill townhouse where Prescott Townsend hosted the Boston Mattachine Society from 1957-73 — a decade before Stonewall.

Google (15) 4.3
What reviewers say

Visitors praise the Prescott Townsend House for its informative and engaging tours, often highlighting knowledgeable guides and its value as a historical Boston site. However, several reviewers expressed significant disappointment due to last-minute cancellations and conflicting information about opening hours, leading to unexpected closures.

86
/ 100
GayOut Score
G4.3
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Address
18 Lindall Place, Beacon Hill, Boston, MA 02114, USA

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About this place Prescott Townsend House

Prescott Townsend (1894-1973) was a Boston Brahmin — descendant of a founding Boston family — who came out publicly in the 1930s, ran unsuccessfully for Boston City Council in 1955 on an openly gay platform, and from 1957 hosted the Boston chapter of the Mattachine Society in his four-storey Beacon Hill townhouse at 18 Lindall Place. Townsend was one of the earliest openly gay American political candidates; his 1955 campaign predates Harvey Milk's San Francisco campaigns by two decades. The Lindall Place townhouse was Townsend's inherited family home, purchased by his ancestors in 1830. From 1957 through his death in 1973 he ran the ground floor as a de facto meeting hall for the Mattachine Society's Boston branch: monthly meetings, a lending library, drop-in support, and a rotating cast of guests including James Baldwin (1962) and Frank Kameny (1965 and 1968). The Boston Mattachine chapter was smaller than the New York or Washington chapters but published one of the pre-Stonewall era's most consistent newsletters. Townsend died in 1973 shortly after Massachusetts's partial decriminalisation of homosexuality. His remaining papers passed to the History Project and the Boston Athenaeum. The Lindall Place townhouse has been continuously private residential since 1974 and is not open for tours; a small commemorative plaque installed by the Boston Landmarks Commission in 2018 on the façade notes his residence and civic activity. Exterior view only, 24/7 from Lindall Place. Free. Park Street or Charles/MGH Red Line are both 10 minutes' walk. Lindall Place itself is a two-block alley off Cambridge Street, easy to miss; the townhouse is at the corner of Lindall and Anderson Street.

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4.3
15 reviews

Based on 15 Google reviews.

K Murphy
K Murphy Sep 2024

Wonderful tour and experience guided by Elizabeth. A must see for Boston history.

Natalie D
Natalie D Sep 2023

This is an historic house which is currently owned by the NSCDA and is their HQ in MA. It's not a classic house tour with meticulously recreated rooms, rather there are a variety of rooms across the floors which represent the different families who lived in the home whilst also showcasing the pieces collected by the NSCDA too. Prescott is probably the most notable of the owners (and a really fascinating guy!) but the Dexter (gilded age era) and Colburn (early 19th century merchant) families are both interesting too! It also means you get to see how the house changed- for instance Prescott's library became the Dexter's dining room. If you're into costumes, they were also showing some of the hats from their collection too today! My guide was fantastic, very knowledgeable and friendly and so passionate about the house. I really would recommend taking a look around! You can book your tour on the website and the hours do vary- it seems to be either 11 or 3 for the tours (usually just one per day) and they're not daily so do check before you travel!

John K (JKoury)
John K (JKoury) Sep 2023

Great time at this hidden gem! Our tour guide Clio was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Definitely a great way to spend the afternoon.

Katherine Kennedy
Katherine Kennedy Jan 2023
Ada Brown
Ada Brown Oct 2022

I was so disappointed in this location. We planned one of our vacation days around being able to visit this house (since the days they are open are highly limited) only to have them cancel all tours at the last minute. We showed up and found a paper posted on the front door saying closed. When we called to ask about private tours (which are an option according to their info) we were told they were not offering any. We walked in the rain to the location only to be turned away. I would avoid or at least use caution when trying to visit this house and don't expect a helpful staff.

Hannah Paine DeLoach
Hannah Paine DeLoach Jun 2022

Not open. We called and they said come on by, but when we arrived they told us via intercom that they were closed.

Luca Battistini
Luca Battistini Feb 2020

Location "Little Women"

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Last updated on 21 August 2026

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