Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum - New Bedford, Massachusetts

Address: 396 County St, New Bedford, MA 02740.
Phone: 5089971401.
Website: rjdmuseum.org
Specialties: Museum, Non-profit organization, Tourist attraction.
Other points of interest: Identifies as women-owned, Active military discounts, Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible restroom, Gender-neutral restroom, Restroom, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi, Restaurant, LGBTQ+ friendly, Transgender safespace.
Opinions: This company has 130 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.8/5.

📌 Location of Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum

☎️5089971401

⏰ Open Hours of Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10 AM–4 PM
Thursday: 10 AM–4 PM
Friday: 10 AM–4 PM
Saturday: 10 AM–4 PM
Sunday: Closed

Okay, here’s a detailed description of the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum, presented in a formal and helpful tone, suitable for someone seeking information about this unique destination:

Introduction to the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum

The Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum is a truly remarkable historical site located in the heart of New Bedford, Massachusetts. It stands as a testament to the opulence and industrial wealth of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the prominent families who once called this grand estate home. Located at 396 County St, New Bedford, MA 02740, and reachable by phone at 508-997-1401, the museum provides a rich and immersive cultural experience.

Historical Significance and Features

Originally built in 1860 for shipping magnate John Davis Rotch, the house underwent significant transformations over the years. It was subsequently acquired by George Jaques Jones, a prominent banker, and later by William Arms Duff, a textile executive. Each family left their mark on the property, resulting in a stunning architectural blend of Italian Renaissance and American Second Empire styles. The museum meticulously preserves the original furnishings, artwork, and decorative elements, offering a palpable sense of the past. The museum itself is a beautifully restored mansion, but the surrounding grounds are equally captivating. The expansive garden showcases a diverse collection of plants, sculptures, and architectural features, representing various periods and styles.

Amenities and Accessibility

The Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum is committed to providing an accessible experience for all visitors. It operates as a non-profit organization and is a popular tourist attraction. They actively embrace inclusivity, as evidenced by their identification as a women-owned business and their dedication to creating a transgender safespace. Key accessibility features include:

Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Gender-neutral restroom
Wi-Fi access

The museum also offers a restaurant for those seeking refreshment. Furthermore, active military discounts are available, and the site has ample Wi-Fi for visitors’ convenience. With a strong focus on visitor comfort and engagement, the museum consistently receives positive feedback.

Visitor Opinions and Recognition

The Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum boasts an impressive average opinion of 4.8/5 based on 130 reviews on Google My Business. Feedback consistently highlights the museum’s stunning beauty, knowledgeable staff, and engaging tours. It appears visitors appreciate the attention to detail in the preservation and presentation of the historic house and grounds, as well as the overall atmosphere of elegance and tranquility.

Recommended Information & Contact Details

Website: rjdmuseum.org

Phone: 508-997-1401

For a truly memorable experience, we strongly recommend visiting the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum. To learn more about upcoming events, tour schedules, and available rental options for weddings and private events, we encourage you to explore their website at rjdmuseum.org. Don't hesitate to contact them directly via phone at 508-997-1401 to plan your visit.

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Would you like me to elaborate on any specific aspect of the museum, such as its tour offerings or historical context

👍 Reviews of Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum

Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum - New Bedford, Massachusetts

Karen B.

5/5

Had our ceremony last week and it was beautiful even with all the rain. We had the ceremony under the tent and was able to take pictures in the museum. Claudio was wonderful to work with. His communication throughout the process was on point. He was very engaged during the ceremony and was helpful holding the umbrella for us to
Walk in under the tent and even for our photographer! Beautiful grounds to have a wedding ceremony or just to take wedding pictures

Alison S.

5/5

The self-guided house tour offers lots of beautiful furniture and personal effects original to the family. Very friendly staff. Well worth the price of admission, especially with AAA discount.

Abigail E.

4/5

The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum (RJD) was designated a National Historic Landmark as William Rotch, Jr. House in 2005. The self-guided tour allowed visitors to explore two floors of the house plus an extensive rose garden while learning the histories of the three families who lived there.

The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum is a fun and relaxing way to tour a historic home and enjoy beautiful flowers. The staff was cheerful and friendly. I appreciated that different rooms in the house were specific to the three families who live their, allow me to understand three separate time periods in New Bedford history. Additionally, this rose garden was likely the best I have visited, topping the Kelleher Rose Garden in Boston’s Emerald Necklace, the Victorian Rose Garden at Roger Williams Park, and the little rose garden at Borderland State Park.

The rose garden has wide paths and is accessible to those with limited mobility or using a wheelchair. The historic house, like many, is accessible only by stairs, and some of the rooms are dimly lit. The self-guided tour came in both a print and audio version. The museum is open on Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tickets to the museum are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and AAA members, $3 for children ages 7 to 17, and $0 for NEMA and AAM members, along with EBT, WIC and ConnectorCare Cardholders, and active-duty military. This is a great stop for anyone in the New Bedford area who has visited its many other historical sites and wants to know even more.

Amy M.

4/5

Very neat to visit. I loved it. I liked how they have a print out for the self guided tour. It's a packet of info and their areas are numbered. The rose garden is spectacular! Over 300 rose bushes were planted in 2017. So much history in our own backyard.

Jeanmarie P.

5/5

Very thorough self-guided tour. Beautiful architecture, artifacts and gardens. They have weddings here too! Wonderful.

E M.

5/5

We had a wonderful visit to Rotch-Jones-Duff House. The docent was lovely. There is quite a bit of information throughout the mansion which gives you a good sense of life in New Bedford then. Although it's October, it was still pleasant to walk around the gardens. Highly recommend visiting.

Tracy C.

5/5

We had our wedding ceremony in the garden on July 16th and it was the most beautiful day! The grounds are absolutely stunning and we are so happy with how everything went. Claudio made this day so very special for us. He organized everything for our ceremony and made it look so effortless. We didn't have to worry about anything. He is a kind and very talented man! We are so grateful for him and everything he did for us. ❤️

Debu T.

5/5

Wonderful historic house and property! Dawn was welcoming and helpful. Interesting mix of antique elements and modern-for-the-time upgrades. Most interesting were the dressing room with hat collection and the different wallpapers throughout the house. Definitely worth seeing and in a neighborhood I didn't know existed. Interesting to see so many grand old houses on the same street. The rose garden is amazing even in February.