This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 2023 Atlas Obscura. The tour was an hour and a half (we did not go on to the basement) and felt we more than got our moneys worth. The Omni Parker House claims to be the oldest continuously operating hotel in the United States; though most of what you see is a 1927 renovation, the hotel indeed hasnt closed since Harvey D. Parker founded it in 1855. Operated by the Douglas Historical Society, Art in picture books and children's books, works of, Area shipbuilding, includes antique shipbuilding tools, photographs, Late Victorian house, operated by Historic New England, Operated by the Norwood Historical Society, Arts & Crafts-style home of photographer, built c. 1637, is the oldest wood-frame house in America, Operated by Iron Work Farm, 18th-century house with ties to the American Revolutionary War, The Folly, a Modernist house, designed by, Located in Harvard Forest, 3,000 acres (12km, Includes American and European paintings, prints, and ceramics, Egyptian, Classical, and pre-Columbian antiquities, Collection of original Atlantic undersea telegraphic cables, instruments, maps and memorabilia, Historic house museum with exhibits about, Contemporary crafts including furniture, glass, ceramics, jewelry, wood and textiles, 19th-century period townhouse, operated by the, 18th-century home of the First Commander-in-Chief of the American Revolution, owned by. Just feet away from the spectacular cantilevered Institute of Contemporary Art in the Seaport District, the Society of Arts and Crafts stands two floors up on the corner of Seaport Boulevard. Art and design. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Lizzie Borden House. This Boston medical museum features the skull of the famous medical case of Phineas Gage. Museum Got STEM? Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Simply known as the Modica Way, the gallery, on one side, houses a black and white pictorial collage of people and places around Central Square an installation by the city. wants to go to Exhibits on area shoe manufacturing, pioneering developments in electronics, 19th-century reformers, Home to Jones River Village Historical Society, Located in historic Robert "King" Hooper Mansion, features four galleries for changing art exhibits, Memorabilia, artifacts, and ship models of the, Run by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, early 18th-century house and early 19th-century farm, Its collection includes aircraft, aerospace systems, space craft, photographs, and artifacts, Contemporary visual and performing arts, commonly referred to as MASS MoCA, Local history, operated by the Orleans Historical Society in a 19th-century meeting house, Operated by the Honeoye Falls-Town of Mendon Historical Society, Includes American art, contemporary art glass, lithographs of Currier & Ives, fine European art, Local history, operated by the Milford Historical Commission, Visitor center exhibits and several famous historic sites of the, Early 20th-century mansion and gardens, home of author, Collections include ancient Egypt, China, Peru, contemporary American art, 18th-century tavern that played a prominent role in the Battle of Lexington and Concord, "art too bad to be ignored", location currently closed, History of printing technologies and practices, Includes Russian icons from the 13th century to the present, World War II history, photos, documents and memorabilia, History of shipwrecks off the Nantucket coast and in Nantucket Sound, Colonial period houses, operated by the Peabody Historical Society, American and Massachusetts history, culture, decorative arts and Freemasons, Historic streetcars, influence of street railways on the development of cities, Glass from ancient Mediterranean to contemporary with a special focus on the glass of New Bedford, Exhibits include whaling industry, local history, local fine art and decorative arts, maritime history, Open on Saturdays in July and August, 18th-century house, Includes Colonial period house, barn with tools and farm implements, blacksmith shop, Colonial summer kitchen and craft demonstration house, Also known as the Jethro Coffin House, 17th-century saltbox house, operated by the, 18th- and 19th-century period home with links to authors, 17th-century period tavern house, owned by the Reading Antiquarian Society, Includes Asian, Native American and folk art, maritime artifacts, collection, folk art and other art, 24 historic structures and gardens, and, Owned by one family for over three centuries, 252-foot-tall monument to climb and a museum of the town's history at its base, Home of the Rowley Historical Society, 17th-century house open for events and tours, Reconstructs the original 17th-century settlement of the, Open for tours by appointment with the Danvers Historical Society, house dating back to the late 17th century, Operated by the Quincy Historical Society, local history and culture, Operated by the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America, 17th- and 18th-century period house, 19th-century period home of American philosopher, Operated by the Charlton Historical Society, Operated by the Massachusetts Archaeological Society, features arrowheads, Native American artifacts and culture displays, Also known as Stonehurst, late 19th-century estate, 19th-century whaling family period mansion, 18th-century period house and slave quarters, Exhibits of art, history and literary topics from its collections, Tours of a replica late 18th-century ship, several houses and a customs house, 1830s period mansion and changing exhibits, Being restored by the Winchester Historical Society a historical and cultural center, Late 18th-century period house, also known as Sargent-Murray-Gilman-Hough House, Includes the reconstructed blast furnace, forge, rolling mill, and a restored 17th-century house, Archaeological materials from the Ancient Near East, Operated by the Sandy Bay Historical Society, local history, Collections include paintings, sculptures, works on paper (prints, drawings, photographs, and books), antiquities, decorative arts, and non-Western art, Natural history dioramas, dinosaurs, science, Working grist mill, exhibits include weaving demonstrations, Native American stone tools, artifacts from 19th-century Cape Cod life, open seasonally, Recreated village of 18th- and 19th-century buildings assembled around a traditional town green, open seasonally, Operated by the Braintree Historical Society, 17th-century period house, 19th-century period farm, open for special events, property includes several historic buildings: the Old Grist Mill, the Martha-Mary Chapel and the Redstone Schoolhouse, reputed to be the school in nursery rhyme, Local history, doll and toy collection, model train gallery, costumes & textiles, photographs, historic, Heritage railroad and restored early 20th-century railroad station, Operated by the Dennis Historical Society, open in summer, historic school house, History, science, industry, Hoosac Tunnel, location of, Includes Jasper Rand Art Museum and Edwin Smith Historical Museum, Includes restored 1847 candle factory, whaling industry artifacts, local maritime and historic artifacts, operated by the Nantucket Historical Association, Operated by the Ipswich Historical Society, 17th- and 18th-century period house, Operated by the Buckland Historical Society on open house days, Clock museum and 18th-century farm homestead, 19th-century period summer home of poet and newspaper editor, Late 19th-century house, reflects owners through the 1950s, exhibits of local history, art, culture, History of the area witch hysteria in 1692, Collections include American and European art, Asian art, Greek and Roman sculpture and mosaics, and Contemporary art, Gallery of crafts and center for craft education, Connecticut Valley Historical Museum, Springfield, closed in 2009, building will house the, A Frugal Woman's Museum, New Bedford, about. Now a nature park, the history quarry, and forest displays whats leftover of old autos, building constructions, and dredging derricks. The only structure left with direct ties to the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692. The Bay State offers countless unique attractions from historical sites to zoos to museums. An enormous, inside-out glass globe built in 1935. Watertown seems a very fitting place for this museum. Operated by the Historical Society of Watertown, Also known as Elephant House, home of illustrator, Museum and home to the Brookline Historical Society, features 18th- and 19th-century furnishings and Brookline-related artifacts, 1902 country house and garden belonging to the. If you visit, take one or more of the Nature Trails, off the paved trails. Currently, most of the structure has been renovated into modern buildings, but, the original cemetery still exists. Today, the skeletons of Poohs House remain, withered from a rainstorm, wood chipping, and other natural occurrences. Using a style that the artists like to call Mystical Realm, the interiors of the museum are covered with mystical paintings and mythological themes. Poignant and powerful monument - it's easy to visit along the way to local sites, and important to remember. Nestled within the still working General Mass Hospital, the Ether Dome comprises a combination of an artistic copper dome with windows to allow natural light, an Egyptian Mummy with a set of perfect white teeth that rests in a glass case, a skeleton, and various vintage surgical equipment. Tons of abolitionist history passed through it as a result. 1,373. Tom Reservation. Unfortunately, the Prison was constructed on a drainage area for the water supply in the area which led to its closure in 1934. Photograph: Courtesy Yelp/West End Museum, Photograph: Courtesy Yelp/Omni Parker House, Photograph: Courtesy Yelp/Society of Arts & Crafts, Photograph: Courtesy Yelp/The Plumbing Museum. was beautiful and a lot of fun! Old Sturbridge Village is an outdoor living history museum with historians dressed for the times, historic homes and trade shops and even a farm with heritage breed animals. While you can explore science and history to your heart's content, we're also particularly partial to The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum for its ability to turn us all back into wide-eyed children again for a few hours. 1. See tours. Boston, MA (617) 432.2136 Visit Website Boston Globe via Getty Images M.I.T. Check out these unique Massachusetts museums and report back with your findings! The Fisher Museum displays detailed dioramas that depict ecological scenes from before the colonists arrived through modern times. Since 1947, this living history museum has been providing an immersive look at life in Plymouth Colony. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 7 /20. Obviously, the landowners like this little mystery in their backyard since they never tried to clear out the area. A must see for the Berkshires area. A new mining company tried to establish the quarry in 1999, but, the surrounding community bought the land and put it into a public trust, thus, disrupting any mining and excavation plans that may have disrupted the beauty of the forest. A beautiful Victorian-era cemetery, complete with a miniature village. For decades, a tiny, painted door at the base of a tree stub within the camps of Harvard University has been the local residence of Pooh. It is, in fact, a way off-the-beaten-path small hill outside the insignificant town of Heath. This is believed to be the schoolhouse mentioned in the nursery rhyme. It's very well done. The Skinny House stands in a row of Bostons small and narrow apartments, but, is the narrowest of them all. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Youve done all the big museums; now discover the niche, funky ones. Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors, $9 for students, and children under 16 and Salem residents can enter for free. Weird Museums: 20 Wacky Attractions You Should Visit - Bob Vila Below, we've researched and compiled a list of museums in Boston, plus categories like: all museums best museums free museums fun museums must see museums cool museums weird museums Lots of neat artifacts and displays. Salem Is A Unique And Enchanting Town In Massachusetts A combination of classic and modern-day characters, the Nightmare Gallery follows a chronological order of display. The 31-year-old museum on the campus of UMass-Boston includes John Adams vice presidential papers and an original 1776 copy of the Declaration of Independence are among the Commonwealth Museums 20 million documents. 26 Oxford St, Cambridge, 617-495-3045, hmnh.harvard.edu. There are many popular museums in the city of Boston, but what you may not know when visiting Massachusetts is that there are many other great museums throughout the state, most within driving distance from Boston. The primary attractions are the fresco-like Russian mythological and religious paintings at the great hall and the faade which is made to resemble an Incan Ruin. Let us know in the comments. Mostly created by some of the finest craftsmen of the movie industry, the Gallery has tried to maintain creepiness as best as it could. The museum also has items that were significant in American history events, such as Nathaniel Hawthornes writing desk and various items from the first North Pole expedition. The Boston region is home to some of the world's most notable museums. The echo, as it is believed, is caused when the sounds bounce between the arch and the water, but, some claim that it is the shape of the arch which is just built in the perfect angle to direct the sound inside and creating a whispering gallery.. This later resulted in the theory it may have been the early Portuguese explorers who made the engravings. More recent developments have put the area back on the map and, fortunately, the museums founders saved artifacts and stories, which are displayed in permanent exhibits as well as three revolving shows each year. The Peabody Essex Museum, which opened in Salem back in 1799, offers exhibits and programs that aim to broaden perspectives and attitudes, while connecting the past and present via historical and contemporary works of art. The gift shop is filled with stunningly covetable stuff to take home. Among the many Native Americans, Norse, Phoenicians, and Portuguese that supposedly crafted the rock, the latest and the most unlikely are the Chinese! A while later, there appeared a foyer atop the stump and a new door with Pooh written just over it. THE 10 BEST Massachusetts Museums - Tripadvisor It's an extra $8-10 for entry to the Theater and Planetarium. Glad we went, industry culture and impact, ocean ecology, as well as fabulous artwork exhibits including incredible. Established in 1878 to cater to a few hundred mentally unstable patients, Danvers State Hospital for the Criminally Insane was as famous for its program as it was for its gothic-inspired building structure. I really enjoyed the museum. 28 Amazing Hidden Gems in Massachusetts - The Crazy Tourist Disconnect forget the APP slow down. , plus the staff is always so friendly and kind! Would have given five stars if not for the tour guide. Here are 12 places to celebrate writers or the places that inspired them. Tucked away in an alley between 4 and 8 Battery Street in Boston, Massachusetts, All Saints Way depicts a mans undying faith and devotion to all the saints known to mankind. 18th-century period mansion with early American furniture and decorations, 18th-century house with 18th- and early-19th-century furnishings, Operated by the Beverly Historical Society, 17th-century house, Operated by the Beverly Historical Society, 18th-century house with rotating exhibits, Operated by the Beverly Historical Society, early 17th-century house with room containing witchcraft-related artifacts, also called John Hale House, Collection of photographs relating to the. Free to all, though donations requested for larger groups. 14 Best Things to Do in Salem, MA | U.S. News Travel Belchertown, MA", "Profile of the Middleton Historical Society", "Remembering Middleton's Lura Woodside Watkins - author, historian", "The contents of Drs. Suggest you to read up a bit on the history of this magnificent museum and about the vision of a lady who gathered all the displayed item while traveling most of the world. What incredibly unique museum in Massachusetts is your favorite? treasures of this fantastic museum are its huge. A literature lovers paradise, Authors Ridge is covered in memorabilia left out by admirers pens, notes, poems, and other souvenirs. Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography, Turners Falls, closed in 2012, Hollywood House of Wax, Salem - no current information, Kendall Whaling Museum, Sharon, closed in 2001 as a public museum, now archive and research center, collections now reside at, National Plastics Center & Museum, Leominster, closed in 2008, New England Fire and History Museum, Brewster, Note: Municipalities not listed have a town meeting form of government (see, This page was last edited on 20 March 2023, at 03:16. No idea where these come from, the park started being a common ground for these figurines since 2010. Though mostly gated, a visit to the celebrated naval officer and educators memorial is worth every bit of time and effort. And it's not all military, either, with books, plates, tankards, and other objects part of the displays. As competition grew, Street started construction work for two new hotels to replace the old Eyrie hotel. Though most of Warrens collection are unaccounted for or hidden away, the Countway Library displays a handful of them for the public. Admission is $10 per adult. FAM plays a vital role in the cultural life of the region. Open year-round from Saturday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thank you! The cemetery which was once a hotbed for creative thinkers became the burial grounds for quite a few of them. Love Massachusetts? 1 Boston is full of inspiring museums where guests experience fine art, African American history, hands-on science, educational activities, historical reenactments, and more. Admission is $28 for adults, $26 for seniors, $14 for youths ages 4-17, and children 3 and under can visit free. Listing of Museums and Galleries Located in Massachusetts Home Travel Guides United States Massachusetts (MA) 28 Amazing Hidden Gems in Massachusetts. Wonder no more. Have you been to any of these museums? Maybe that's just how northerners are, but was expecting a tour guide that seemed more interested in what she was actually saying. Here you will find Charles Sherwood Stratton's child-sized clothing and itty-bitty personal items. 30 Unusual Museums and Collections in Massachusetts By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. By meandvixen. At Old Sturbridge Village, youll go back to rural New England in the early 19th century as you walk through a village built to resemble a town from the 1830s, at the end of the American Revolution. Feel free to donate something saintly if you have and Peter will be happy to put it along with his collection. The space is directly across from the elevator to the fourth floor of Faneuil Hall and is free to the public on weekdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The nonprofit museum provides a deep dive into what life was like for affluent Back Bay residents in the 19th century and early 20th century. Fenway / Kenmore. There are also lots of fun events, including West End walking tours. The story of Dungeon Rock took shape in the mid-1600s when Thomas Veale, a pirate, presumably took refuge in a cave with his wealth at the present-day Lynn Woods Reservation area. Boston Travel Museum The Coolest, Weirdest, and Best Museums in Boston From world-renowned historical exhibits to an entire museum dedicated to ugly art. Aside from the farm, the Prison Camp also housed cell blocks, staff quarters, a water tower, and a tuberculosis treatment center which was added in 1907. Deerfield Massacre Mass Grave. Go behind the scenes at the Massachusetts military lab engineering the fuel of the future. Walk Through Nearly 25 Beautiful Dioramas At This Unique Museum In Massachusetts. Here are the best things to do in Massachusetts. 12 Boston museums everyone should visit at least once Partially decorated with a colorful plastic canopy resembling a stained glass, the Richard B. Also known as the Nurse Graveyard, Rebecca Nurse Homestead and Graveyard stands by the Massachusetts Bay reminiscing the hardships that the city underwent during the adversities of the 17th century. Though most of his work is displayed on and off, only four have been on permanent display -The Gourmand, The Broken Scales of Justice, Genocide, and Fa La La La La.. From Cabot Lowells Boston Manufacturing Companys textiles to the Metz motorcar, the museums artifacts are set in wondrous permanent exhibits in an original red brick mill building. This charming museum, set in the Francis Cabot Lowell Mill, adjacent to the Charles River, honors the citys place as a continued hotspot for inventors and innovators. Founded by the famed children's book artist, this museum spreads an appreciation of the arts through picture books. The exhibits are a mix of old and new, focusing on topics that entertain and educate, including science, culture, environmental awareness, health and fitness, and the arts. The 2002 book 1421: The Year China Discovered America claimed that Chinese discovered America way before Columbus did so it may have been their rock and their inscriptions. 9 Unique Military Museums To Visit In New England The site of one of the strangest disasters in historya wave of deadly molasses traveling at 35 mph. The marker on the statue lists the names of her entire family, two men and two women, including Bonney and her husband Charles. Even odder than this place becoming a museum, Henry Ford himself apparently moved this schoolhouse from Sterling to Sudbury. Attractions. Sometimes they can be found standing in a circle, sometimes scattered and tossed like they had a rough night, and sometimes in a row like they were practicing for a race. Founded in 1920, the Pilgrim Societys mission is to preserve the town of Plymouths history, which ultimately led to the opening of the Pilgrim Hall Museum in 1824. Disconnect, Enjoy the ART LANDSCAPE AND Water features. The beautiful gardens were decorated to maintain a rustic feel and housed water fountains, stone steps, benches, and an archway. However, the Park sits lonely, overgrown, and overlooked amongst the many parks designed by Olmstead, including his prized possession, the Central Park in Manhattan. And it's bursting with historic land marks and good food. Barnum's circus, the famed General Tom Thumb and his diminutive wife Lavinia once made their home in Middleborough. These are some of the most unique museums, not only in Massachusetts but in the country. The second longest of its kind at the time of construction, Echo Bridge was established in 1877 and is a picturesque archway that unites the two banks of Charles River. The museum, named for the townhouse's last owner, who died in 1960 and bequeathed it, depicts life in Beacon Hill in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The state of Massachusetts has its own museum; there's the Salem Witch Museum, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Indian Motorcycle Museum and many children's museums. THE 10 BEST Massachusetts Museums Museums in Massachusetts Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Art Galleries Specialty Museums History Museums Art Museums Back Bay South End Downtown Fenway / Kenmore Good for a Rainy Day Budget-friendly Free Entry Good for Kids One of two lighted lanterns hung in the church belfry on the eve of the Revolutionary War to warn that the British were on their way. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Home to one of greatest beach holiday destination in the world, Cape Cod, Massachusetts is regarded as one of the most popular travel places in the country. 8,267. Traveler favorites. The artists, in their whimsical attempt, created an enthralling gallery filled with their own sculptures and presented it to the world as a different dimension of the existing world. YOU ARE HERE* Contemporary Art in the Garden | MoMA Its all free, though donations are appreciated. It's all free because the National Park Service runs it all. This collection is private, but tours can be arranged by appointment. The largest collection of historic military firearms in the United States. From landscapes that have moved writers to wax poetic about beans to story-inspired sculpture parks and shops stacked with volumes new and old, the Bay State would also be aptly named the Book State. The West End Museum is just that: a museum dedicated to Boston's West End. What remained was just a bare stump. Fitchburg Museum of Art (Fitchburg) The Fitchburg Museum of Art (FAM) was built in 1925 in the north central part of the state with over 20,000 square feet of exhibition space. The Forbes Pigment Collection is located on the Museums' 4th Level. While most artists scrawl their masterpieces on paper or canvas, Barney Smith prefers toilet seats. Also known as The Bay State, the coastline of Massachusetts is largely dominated by its three bays Massachusetts Bay, Cape Cod Bay, and Buzzards Bay. No one knows the origin of the creation, but, the set of 21 small and big boulders, some as heavy as 500 pounds, inhabit the northern side of Burnt Hill. From there, due to a wealthy merchant class, it became a hotspot during the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s and, in turn, wealth created work for many craftspeople. We figured while we were there, wed check out the Lizzie Borden House and then scheduled a tour, not knowing what to expect. Ranking of the top 14 things to do in Salem, MA. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (The Gardner).