During their visit, cheap car rental Boston travelers can tour a beautifully preserved U.S. National Historic Landmark known as the Harrison Gray Otis House. Lovers of history will revel in the well-preserved portrait of Harrison Gray Otis, the circa 1770s desk and bookcase owned by Sally Foster Otis's father, the Fishing Lady needlework picture, the porcelain Chinese punch bowl, and the 7.5 feet tall pier mirror depicting a scene from the Trojan War.

Otis House History

There are actually three "Otis Houses" in Boston. All three were built for Harrison Gray Otis by the famous American architect Charles Bulfinch. Bulfinch modeled the original house after one by William Bingham that Bulfinch saw in Philadelphia in 1789. The house boasts three stories in five bays and is laid out in the Colonial fashion which places two rooms on either side of a central hallway. The third floor ceilings are short by today's standards, measuring just over six feet high. In 1801, an entrance topped by a Palladian window and lunette was added.

The first Otis Gray House is now owned by the Historic New England Association. They run it as a non-profit museum. The second Otis House is a private dwelling located at 55 Mount Vernon Street, and the third now headquarters the American Meteorological Society at 45 Beacon Street. Cheap car rental Boston travelers can drive by the other two, but only the first is open to the public.

Handicapped Access

Handicapped cheap car rental Boston travelers unfortunately will not be able to tour the Harrison Gray Otis House if they are not capable of some walking and a considerable amount of standing. Because of the need to preserve the historic materials and quality of the Harrison Gray Otis House, it hasn't been equipped with handicap-accessible ramps, elevators, or chair lifts.

The Historical Society regrets the problems this might cause cheap car rental Boston visitors. If you have concerns, they suggest that you call ahead and ask about what solutions they can offer.

Admission and Hours

You can take your cheap car rental Boston to visit the Harrison Gray Otis House year round. It's open on Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Although they are closed on most major holidays, they are open on July 4.

All visitors to the house receive a free tour. Tours run every half hour, and last 45 to 55 minutes.

You can't beat the affordable prices either. Adults pay $8, seniors $7, and students only $4. Admission is free for Historic New England members and Boston residents.

Directions to Harrison Gray Otis House

In under a half hour, you can take your cheap car rental Boston from Verc Rentals in Quincy to the Harrison Gray Otis House. From Verc Rentals, head northwest on Massachusetts 3A N/Merrymount Parkway/Southern Artery. If you're unfamiliar with the area, this should take you past Merrymount Park and the Municipal Stadium. If you pass Mt. Wollaston Cemetery instead, you've gone the wrong direction.

When the road ends, turn right at Hancock Street/Massachusetts 3A N. Merge onto I-93 N/MA-3 N via the ramp to Boston. Take Exit 26 (Storrow Drive). You'll need to keep left at the fork and follow the signs for MA-28 N/Leverett Cir/N Station. Turn right at Nashua Street. Turn left at Cotting St/Red Auerbach Way, and then continue onto Staniford Street.

From there you'll take a right at Cambridge Street. Harrison Gray Otis House will be at 141 Cambridge Street. Street parking is very limited near Harrison Gray Otis House, but you can find parking nearby at Charles River Plaza, Boston Common Garage, or the Government Center Garage.

For more information, cheap car rental Boston travelers can call them at (617) 994-5920 or visit their website at http://www.historicnewengland.org/historic-properties/homes/otis-house. If you'd like to contact them by email, they have a form on their website.