FAQs
Are there restrooms at the Dole-Little house?
Visitors are welcome to use the restrooms at the Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm, located approximately 3 miles up the road.
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, Dole-Little 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.
When can I visit the Dole-Little House grounds?
The museum grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk.
Can I take photographs at Dole-Little House?
Visitors are welcome to take personal photographs on the grounds of Dole-Little 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 Dole-Little House staff at 978-462-2634 or by e-mail.
How can I get inside Dole-Little House?
The Dole-Little House is open twice per year, usually on the first Saturday in June and October. A tenant lives in the house, so private tours are possible, but only with advance notice.
Do we need to take a tour or can we just look around?
All visitors to the house receive a guided tour.
Why are the windows so small?
Dole-Little had double-hung windows before its extensive renovation in the 1950s. The windows were replaced by restoration contractor Roy Baker, who replicated what he believed to be the original size and placement of the leaded glass casement windows.
Is the Little in Dole-Little the same family as the Littles of Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm?
The first Little family member to own Dole-Little was Francis Little in 1878. Though he is a descendant of first settler George Little, and so are the Littles of the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, they are not directly related as far as we know.
Is it true that part of the house is in a museum in Washington, D.C.?
The decorative paneling from one of the chambers at Dole-Little was removed and brought to the National Museum of History and Technology in Washington, D.C., now the National Museum of American History.
I think I saw a new building in another part of the country that looked very much like this one. Is that possible?
Several companies have reproduced the floor plan and appearance of the Dole-Little House, and sell plans to contractors who can reproduce it, with key modifications for modern living. Reproductions of Dole-Little have been built as far away as California.
