FAQs
Are there restrooms at Beauport?
Yes. There are two restrooms and both are handicapped accessible. Both restrooms are open to the public seasonally, during regular museum hours and special events.
Is the museum handicapped accessible?
A tour of any Historic New England property requires a considerable amount of standing and some walking. Folding chairs can be provided for visitors who would like to use them during a tour. To retain its historic fabric and character, the Beauport, Sleeper-McCann House has not been equipped with handicapped accessible ramps, elevators, or chair lifts. We are glad to offer guests a visual tour of the museum. Visitors with limited mobility may be able to enjoy a first floor tour of the house and grounds. We encourage visitors with concerns to call ahead. We are happy to work with you to make your visit an enjoyable one.
Can I take photographs at Beauport, Sleeper-McCann House?
Visitors are welcome to take personal photographs on the grounds of the Beauport, Sleeper-McCann House. Members of the media should visit the press room. Professional photographers using the grounds to conduct photo shoots of clients are urged to become members of Historic New England and to consider donating a percentage of their fee. Visitors can arrange in advance to request required permission to take interior photographs for personal use. Permission is not guaranteed and cannot be given on arrival, so please contact the site staff well in advance of your visit.
How do I become a member of Historic New England and get more involved?
Join Historic New England now and get involved in preserving and celebrating the region's heritage. To join, call the Membership Office at 617-994-5910 or join online. You can reach the Beauport, Sleeper-McCann House at 978-283-0800 or by e-mail.
When can I visit the Beauport grounds?
The museum grounds are open when the museum is open.
How long is the tour and how many rooms are shown?
Daily tours of Beauport are approximately one hour long and begin on the hour. On this regular tour, thirty rooms are on view. To see the entire house, we offer the popular Nooks and Crannies program once a month during the season. Please see the Events and Programs page for details.
Do we need to take a tour or can we just look around?
All visitors to the house receive a guided tour.
Is there a food allowed on the grounds?
Anyone is welcome to bring picnics and enjoy them on the Beauport grounds during open hours. For suggestions on sandwiches or box lunches please call Beauport directly at 978-283-0800.
When is tea offered at Beauport?
Tea on the Beauport terrace is a long standing tradition and is offered a few times during the season. Please visit the Events and Programs page for specifics.
What is the square footage of the house?
The house is approximately 14,200 square feet.
Why are there signs marked “Private Roads/Members Only” on stone pillars leading to Eastern Point?
Eastern Point, the neighborhood where Beauport is located, is a private neighborhood. Beauport and the breakwater, next to the lighthouse at the end of Eastern Point, are open to the public. Security guards are stationed at the Eastern Point entrance on weekends and occasionally holidays but are happy to let visitors through to get to Beauport.
Is the house available for weddings or functions?
The entire interior of Beauport is museum space and only available for tours, however, small gatherings can be arranged on the grounds. A tent can be installed in the horseshoe garden and can cover forty people seated or fifty for a standing cocktail party. Please contact the site manager at 978-283-0800 for details.
Was the first owner of Beauport, Henry Davis Sleeper, married?
Sleeper never married nor had any children. According to tradition, Sleeper was a gay man.
What was Sleeper’s occupation?
Sleeper was on the first professional interior designers in the country and opened his office in 1921. Clients included Henry Francis Dupont and actors John Mack Brown and Fredric March.
How many bedrooms, bathrooms, and fireplaces are in the house?
There are twelve bedrooms (fourteen during Sleeper’s lifetime, two servants rooms are now used for storage), eight bathrooms and twelve fireplaces (some worked and some were there for effect).
Did Sleeper have siblings?
Yes, Sleeper was the youngest of three boys. His brothers were Jacob Sleeper (1869–1930) and Stephen Westcott Sleeper (1874–1956).
Where did Sleeper’s money come from?
When Sleeper reached the age of fifteen, he benefited from his grandfather’s (Jacob Sleeper) real estate trust, which provided him with approximately $850 a year. This income partially supported his collecting and living expenses. Although he made an income from clients after 1921, Beauport was primarily funded by elaborate mortgages and financial dealings.
