Visiting Historic Homes of Famous Authors in Western Massachusetts

One of the appeals of traveling through Western Massachusetts is not just the scenery, but the presence of such a strong and influential literary history. Adults and students can both appreciate different aspects of these historic homes of famous authors and American authors in Western Massachusetts.

Let students see where the writers they are reading lived and wrote. Together explore the residences and gardens of some very famous writer, who at one time lived so very nearby.

Visiting these historic homes of famous authors and American authors with your students and children can help foster an appreciation for writing, literature, and for learning. Included within this article are links to free e-books for all of these authors.

Touring Historic Homes of Famous Writers in Western Massachusetts

Famous Author: Emily Dickinson in Amherst

Next on the tour, is the home of American poet and famous writer, Emily Dickinson. Her two historic homes are located very near downtown Amherst. Both of these homes, The Homestead and The Evergreens comprise The Emily Dickinson Museum.

The Emily Dickinson Museum is located at 280 Main Street in Amherst, Massachusetts. For more information call 413-542-8161.

Read some poems by Emily Dickinson here or listen to them.

Famous Author: Herman Melville in Pittsfield

Way up in the northwest corner of Massachusetts, find the historic home of famous writer Herman Melville.

Herman Melville's Arrowhead is located at 780 Holmes Road in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. 01201. For more information call 413) 442-1793 or send an email to info@mobydick.org.

Find a free e-book of Moby Dickhere: Moby Dick.

Famous Author: Edith Wharton at the Mount in Lenox

According to The Mount web site, Edith Wharton wrote more than 40 books in 40 years, including The Age of Innocence, Ethan Frome, and The House of Mirth.

Edith Wharton was also a woman of firsts. She was the first woman ever to be awarded the coveted Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. She was also the first woman to earn an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Yale University.