Meeting Marian: A Life in Service, Served Well

Marian Clarke Nichols devoted her life to advocating for government reform and championing increased opportunities for women. Known as the "friend of the underdog," she ran for public office twice, spoke out whenever she perceived injustice, and took action, always aiming to be "a fearless advocate of Civil Liberty and Justice for All." She also cared greatly for her Beacon Hill neighborhood, seeking to make it a safe and healthy home for all residents. Join us for an evening exploring the story and legacy of Marian Clarke Nichols, the focus of Nichols House Museum’s 2024 Linsdell Fellow, Toni Armstrong. 

Toni Armstrong is a PhD Candidate at Boston University studying late-19th and early-20th century women art collectors, queer art history, and alternative curatorial practices. She spent the summer delving into Marian's rich archives to uncover previously unexplored areas of Marian’s life, including her second political campaign and her relationship with a woman.

The Nichols House Museum on Boston's historic Beacon Hill was home to an early 20th-century family of artists and social activists. Preserved as a museum by Rose Standish Nichols, a pioneering woman landscape architect, the house is furnished with an original collection.