Shirley-Eustis House Association 33 Shirley Street Boston, MA 02119 he Shirley-Eustis House Association was founded in 1913 as one of the Commonwealth's earliest preservation organizations. It has been responsible for saving this unique building, and exists today for the purpose of preserving and maintaining Shirley Place; the mansion, the carriage house, its furnishings and grounds. The Shirley-Eustis House was built by William Shirley, appointed Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony and Commander-in-chief of all British forces in North America by George II. The house is the only one of four remaining royal governor's residences in the country to have been built by the governor as his country estate. Docents guide visitors through the estate with tours on a variety of themes such as the political life of Governor Eustis, or the Loyalists and the Siege of Boston. There are programs for school children, exhibits, spring and fall concerts and special events like American Heritage Day in September. The Shirley-Eustis House is also available for limited use for special events. Directions: Heading east toward Dorchester, on Massassachusetts Avenue, turn right onto Shirley Street, across from the Victoria Restaurant, about one half mile past the Boston Medical Center. Go 4 blocks to the house. Parking on street. Or take the Orange Line T to Ruggles Station and the #15 bus down Dudley Street to the corner of Shirley Street Phone: 617-442-2275 Fax: 617-442-2270 send E-mail visit Website Contact: Andrea Taaffe, Executive Director 617-442-2275 Hours: May to October, Thursday through Sunday, 12 - 4 Admission: Adults, $5. Seniors and students, $3 illiam Eustis, an owner of the Shirley-Eustis House, was drawn away from the life of a colonial surgeon into the politics and challenges of creating (and protecting) the new United States. He served as a Congressman, Secretary of War, Ambassador to Holland, and Governor of Massachusetts. The excitement of campaigning, the numerous fledgling political parties, and the tumult of the presidential election of 1800 made for very interesting times for this Jeffersonian Democratic-Republican. Eustis's life is reflected throughout the Shirley-Eustis House as its furnishings are based on the inventory taken at his death in 1825. Funding for this website is provided by Community Crossroads Foundation, The Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, and the museums and historic sites of the Greater Boston History Project.