Forbes House Museum

The Forbes House Museum, built in 1833, is a historic Greek revival mansion built for Margaret Perkins Forbes (1773– 1856) by her sons, Captain Robert Bennet Forbes (1804– 1889), and John Murray Forbes (1813– 1898). Captain Forbes was an American China trade merchant, designer, writer and philanthropist of international stature. Throughout the 19th century, the Captain and his family were leaders in U. S. trade in Canton, establishing the Boston-based Russell & Company. The Museum collection includes Chinese export porcelain and silver, and American, European and Chinese paintings and furniture. Mary Bowditch Forbes (1878– 1962), granddaughter of the Captain, collected President Lincoln memorabilia and built a replica of Lincoln’s log cabin on the grounds of the estate. The Forbes House Museum is located on Milton Hill, overlooking the Boston city skyline, Neponset River Marshes and Boston Harbor. Tours of the Museum are available by reservation. Call the Museum office at 617.696.1815 for more information.