Old Chelmsford Garrison House
105 Garrison Road
Chelmsford MA 01824
Date/time visited: Sunday, July 20th 2025 at 2:30pm
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Yes
Handicap accessible: No
Cost: Typically $9, but certain events are free
Hours: only open on select days (check out their event calendar or by appointment for private tour)
I recently took my kids to the "Old Chelmsford" Garrison House in Chelmsford, and it was a fun and educational step back in time where we learned how people lived in colonial times. The house is considered a National Historic Place and has remained mostly unchanged since it was built in the early 1700s. It was first acquired by Thomas Adams, a relative of John Adams, and while it has stood for centuries, only minimal modifications have been made.
Upon arriving at the Garrison House, we were kindly greeted and given a free tour. Our tour guide was super friendly and interactive with my kids, and she gave us a lot of information and fun facts about everything displayed in the house and in the barn.
Barn
Exploring the old house and barn was a valuable learning experience for both myself and my children. The house is filled with antique items that demonstrate how life was back then. Taking photos and videos in the house is not allowed, but here’s a bit of what we saw and learned:
A bathtub sits in the kitchen where the whole family would take turns bathing, and we learned that whole families had to use the same bath water. A laundry station in one room shows how they had to wash and wring out their laundry. There is a birthing room where women would give birth. There is a loft where the children would often sleep, and a canopy bed in another bedroom. Something our tour guide told us was that canopy beds weren’t just to look fancy, but they served an actual purpose back then. They protected the sleeper from any falling debris from the ceiling. We also learned that the mattresses were stuffed with corn stalks. It was cool to learn little facts like this throughout the tour. In another room, old toys are displayed. There were also old cribs, cradles, and baby strollers, too.
People were self-sufficient and innovative, and it was incredible to see how far the world has come and how people have progressed in their way of living since back then. It gives you a newfound appreciation of those that came before us as well as an appreciation for life as we know it in general.
In the barn there’s a large collection of farm tools. We were shown different horse shoes and learned how spiky horse shoes were used in the winter and smooth ones were used in the summer. There was also a shoemaking station in the barn, and we learned how back then they would make shoes identical to each other, rather than making a left shoes and a right shoe.
The land and yard itself is beautiful, spacious, and quiet. Other buildings, such as a summer kitchen and a blacksmith shop, are located on the property as well.
Blacksmith Shop
Summer Kitchen
Our visit to the Garrison House was both an enjoyable and educational experience. I highly recommend checking it out! They hold special days like craft days and free tours, and you can check out their event calendar and website to learn more.
[Photos courtesy "Old Chelmsford" Garrison House]
Holly O'Blenis is a mom of four who loves finding new, exciting things to do to create a fun, happy childhood for them! She is an avid reader and crafter who loves the outdoors.
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