About Naumkeag Backstairs Tour

Step behind the blue velvet curtain that once hid the servants’ staircase and explore the hidden side of life at Naumkeag during the Gilded Age. This special behind-the-scenes tour takes you beyond the main rooms and into the rarely-seen spaces where the real work of running a grand country estate happened.

You’ll start in the work yard—where deliveries arrived and the day got underway for the staff—then make your way through the service areas of the house, including the basement kitchens, back stairways, and narrow halls. Along the way, you’ll get a peek into linen closets, storage rooms, and other tucked-away spaces that were essential to keeping everything running smoothly.

As you climb up to the third-floor maid’s quarters, you’ll get a sense of what daily life was like for the people who lived and worked at Naumkeag. This tour offers a fascinating look at the contrast between upstairs luxury and downstairs labor, and the behind-the-scenes world that made Gilded Age grandeur possible.

Please note:

– The Backstairs Tour is limited to 10 participants due to narrow stairways and confined spaces. This tour is not recommended for those with limited mobility or for children under 12.

– Preregistration is required.

– This tour begins promptly at 9:30AM; guests are advised to arrive 15 minutes early. Late arrivals will not be permitted to join the tour.

– General admission to the property (house and grounds) is included with your ticket.

Register