Director of Media Relations
413/542-8417
AMHERST, Mass.—The Dickinson Homestead, home of the poet Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), at 280 Main St. in Amherst, Mass., will open for its 2000 season on Wednesday, March 1. The Homestead—the birthplace and home of the poet for 40 years—is open for guided tours from March through mid-December.
New at the Homestead this year is a replica of the well-known "white dress," painstakingly recreated from the aging garment believed to have belonged to the poet, who was known in her later years for wearing only white. Although the original dress is undated, its style exhibits elements popular in the late 1870s and early 1880s. The original dress, owned by the Amherst History Museum at the Strong House and long displayed at the Homestead, is now carefully preserved off-site. The replica was made possible by a special arrangement with the Amherst History Museum.
Another new exhibit explores the publication of Dickinson’s poems in the Springfield Daily Republican. Only 10 of her poems are known to have been published during her lifetime; seven appeared in the Republican. The exhibit was prepared by Martha Ackmann, a professor of women’s studies at Mount Holyoke College, and her students in "Emily Dickinson in Her Times," a course taught last fall at the Homestead.
The new exhibits are a part of the regular guided tour. Other highlights of the upcoming season will include the Emily Dickinson Poetry Walk on Saturday, May 13, at 1 p.m., with an Open House, 1-5 p.m.; Living History Day on Saturday, Sept. 9; and the Birthday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 9, 1-5 p.m.
For more information, please call the Homestead at (413) 542-8161, or visit www.amherst.edu/~edhouse. The Homestead is a National Historic Landmark owned by the Trustees of Amherst College.
The Homestead's days and hours of operation change seasonally. In March, the Homestead is open Wednesday and Saturday with tours on the hour from 1 to 4 p.m. (Last tour at 4 p.m.). Reservations are recommended for tours (especially on Saturdays) and may be made by calling 413/542-8161. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors/students, $3 for young people ages 6-18 and no charge for children under 6 or for students currently enrolled at one of the Five Colleges.
Dickinson Homestead 2000 Tour Schedule
March, Wednesdays and Saturdays
Tours on the hour, 1-4 p.m.; last tour at 4 p.m.
April-May, Wednesdays through Saturdays
Tours on the hour, 1-4 p.m.; last tour at 4 p.m.
June-August, Wednesdays through Sundays
Tours every half hour, 1-4 p.m.; last tour at 4 p.m.
Additional tours Saturday mornings only at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.
September-October, Wednesdays through Saturdays
Tours on the hour, 1-4 p.m.; last tour at 4 p.m.
Additional tours on Sunday, Oct. 8, 1-4 p.m.
November-December 9, Wednesdays (except Wednesday before Thanksgiving) and Saturdays
Tours on the hour, 1-4 p.m.; last tour at 4 p.m.
Closed December 10, 2000, through March 2, 2001.
###