June 12, 2020
The Hingham Historical Society launches virtual tours of Old Ordinary, its 1686 House Museum and walking tours of historic Downtown Hingham this month. All tours are led by trained docents and provide residents and visitors with an in depth look at Hingham history.
Virtual tours of Old Ordinary are conducted via the Zoom platform and led by an experienced and enthusiastic “in person” guide. Tours include 360 views of most rooms and presentation visuals to offer additional views and information. Learn about the architectural changes to the home and tavern over three centuries and explore artwork and artifacts from the comfort of your own home. “During this season when many museums are closed, we are excited to offer virtual tours of our historic house museum,” said Society Volunteer Ellen Miller. “Our dedicated Old Ordinary tour team pivoted quickly this Spring from in-person tours to an online format. We are enjoying bringing one of Hingham’s iconic landmarks to our guests.” A ticket offers a Zoom link which can be used on one device for a selected tour. Tours last about one hour and questions are taken throughout the program. Registration will be limited so the docents can better personalize the experience. Virtual tours of Old Ordinary are free to Historical Society members and $10 for non-members. Preregistration is required.
Guided walking tours of historic downtown Hingham are a safe and socially distanced opportunity to get outside and learn about Hingham’s rich history. Beginning and ending at the Hingham Heritage Museum, these 55 minute tours through the Lincoln National Historic District are led by trained guides with audio enhancement. With stops at over a dozen historic sites and markers in Hingham Square, guests will learn about the interesting people, architectural details and major events that shaped our historic streetscape for centuries. “We’ve had a lot of fun putting together and practicing the walking tour,” said Society Executive Director, Deirdre Anderson. “There is so much history to our town. We are excited for neighbors and visitors to join us and learn in more detail about the places they pass regularly.” Tour guides will have a flip book of enlarged photographs and artwork from the Society collection to provide reference to what familiar scenes would have looked like 50, 100, 150 years ago. Limited to ten individuals, guests are required to wear masks and maintain a safe social distance. Tour is just under one mile and requires occasional steps and uneven ground. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Children under 12 are free and parking is available at the Hingham Heritage Museum, 34 Main Street. Visit hinghamhistorical.org for tour dates and times. Preregistration is required.