The house itself offers history enough, home as it was to Judith Sargent Murray, an early writer and champion of women's equality, and later to merchants and other notable leaders of Gloucester. Today the well-preserved example of Georgian architecture, its front door looming on a low hill above Gloucester's main street, hosts exhibits of the city's history, as well as paintings by John Singer Sargent, a descendent of Murray's.

The Sargent House Museum
49 Middle Street
Gloucester
978-281-2432
www.sargenthouse.org
Open Fr, Sa, Su through Oct. 12 with tours from noon to 3.