South of Boston/Plymouth welcome guests to historic homes and sites
947 Park Street, Route 118
Attleboro, MA 02703
Phone: 508-222-5410
These historic statuary gardens were designed as areas for meditation and worship. During the Christmas holiday a unique and decorative light display is offered.
Major John Bradford House
Maple Street and Landing Road
Kingston, MA
Phone: 617-585-6300
Built in 1674, this home features authentic antique furniture and a historic doll collection. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.
Manjiro Trail
45 Center Street
Fairhaven, MA
For ten years, a young boy named Manjiro, the son of an American whaling captain, spent his life alongside his father after his rescue during a fishing trip. This walk recounts the places important in his life on the South Shore.
Mann Farmhouse and Historical Museum
Greenfield Lane
Scituate, MA 02066
Phone: 781-545-1083
Open: Open seasonally; call for hours of operation
Built in the mid 18th century, the house now contains a museum of historical exhibits and a sail loft. The artifacts of the Mann family date from the 17th century and they include primitive Pilgrim furniture, carpenter and shoe making tools, military items, china, children's toys, early farming equipment and many valuable documents and books. Admission charge.
Marine Museum at Fall River
70 Water Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: 508-674-3533
Visitors will find the biggest exhibit in the nation concerning the HMS Titanic. The exhibit includes artifacts from the ship, memorabilia about survivors and victims, and a one-ton model of the ship. There is an admission fee.
22 Stoney Hill Road at Route 6
North Swansea, MA
Phone: 508-379-0376
Stunning rose gardens
The Martin House Farm is a rare example of an 18th and early 19th century farm which still retains the character of its original setting. It consists of the house, two barns and cultivated fields surrounded by dry stone walls and woodlands. A rose garden is a stunning feature.
Hours: May 1-November 1, Wednesday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Closed holidays. Fee charged.
Mattapoisett Museum and Carriage House
5 Church Street
Mattapoisett, MA 02739
Phone: 617-758-2844
Open: July and August, Wednesday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m.
Housed in a restored Meeting House dating from 1821, the ancient pews, galleries, and replica of the old high pulpit carry visitors back to an age when life in this quiet New England village revolved around the church and town meeting. Admission is free.
Mayflower II
State Pier
Plymouth, MA
Phone: 508-746-1622
A reproduction of the original Mayflower, the ship in which the Pilgrims journeyed to America. Visitors will get a sample of what life was like during their voyage in 1620. Open seasonally. There is an admission charge.
4 Winslow Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-746-2590
Open: July – mid-September, daily, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Memorial Day weekend-June 30 and mid-September to mid-October, Friday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The headquarters of the General Society of Mayflower Descendents is located in this 1754 home built by Edward Winslow, a Pilgrim descendant. It features furnishings spanning three centuries, a flying staircase and formal gardens.
Hours: July-Labor Day, open daily; Memorial Day weekend-June and early September-October, Friday-Sunday. Fee charged.
Middleboro Historical Museum
18 Jackson St.
Middleboro, MA 02346
Phone: 508-947-1969
Open: July-september, Wednesday and Saturday, 1-4 p.m.
This historic museum features the miniatures collected by General Tom Thumb and his wife. Thumb was a midget and a celebrity in Phineas T. Barnum's circus. Also six other buildings of 1800-early 1900's social and industrial life exhibits.
New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: 508-997-0046
Open: Open daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and until 9 p.m. Thursdays in the summer. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
The New Bedford Whaling Museum houses the world's most comprehensive collection of whaling and maritime artifacts. Climb aboard the world's largest ship model, the 89-foot bark Lagoda, and view the 66-foot skeleton of a rare blue whale. Admission charge.
Old Burying Ground
Chestnut Street
Duxbury, MA
Phone: 617-934-5261
This cemetery contains the graves of Myles Standish, John Alden, Priscilla Alden, their son and other pilgrims. No admission fee.
Old Colony and Fall River Railroad Museum
Battleship Cove
Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: 508-674-9340
Open: May 5-June 30 and September 1-October 7, Saturday, noon-4 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; July-August, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; closed October 8-May 4.
Exhibits in this museum center on the history of railroading in the Fall River area and Southern New England. Train cars filled with extensive collection of railroad memorabilia. Open seasonally. Admission charge.
Old Colony Historical Society
66 Church Green
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508-822-1622
Open: year-round, Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The museum features a vast and varied collection of artifacts telling the story of the Taunton region's rich history from its founding through present day. Special collections include portraits, silver, military, stoves, furniture, and Native American artifacts. A local history and genealogical library is on premises. Admission charge
Old Ship Church
90 Main Street
Hingham, MA
Phone: 781-749-1679
This is the oldest, continuously operating wooden church in the U.S., built in 1681. Open seasonally.
137 Warren Avenue
Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-746-1622
Your visit to the year 1627 is self-guided.
The 1627 English Village is a re-creation of the small farming town built by English colonists in the midst of the Wampanoag homeland. Find yourself immersed in the year 1627, just seven years after the voyage of the Mayflower. In the village you will be surrounded by the modest timber-framed houses, fragrant raised-bed gardens, well-tended livestock and fascinating townspeople of Plymouth Colony, the first permanent English settlement in New England. Most of the objects in and around the houses are modern reproductions designed for everyday use and can be handled gently. The people you will meet are costumed role players who have taken on the names, viewpoints and life histories of the people who actually lived in the colony in 1627, popularly known as the "Pilgrims" today.
Plymouth Rock
Water Street
Plymouth, MA
The real thing. Plymouth Rock commemorates the site where the Pilgrims first came ashore in 1620.
Quincy Homestead
1010 Hancock Street
Quincy, MA
Phone: 617-472-5117
This 18th century mansion was the home of Dorothy Quincy, who eventually married John Hancock. Open seasonally. There is an admission charge.
Richard Sparrow House
42 Summer Street
Plymouth, MA
Phone: 508-747-1240
Exhibits focus on crafts and 17th century pottery. Built in 1640, this is the oldest house in Plymouth. Open seasonally. There is an admission charge.
936 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: 508-997-1401
Open: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
This 28-room Greek Revival mansion was built for whaling merchant William Rotch, Jr. in 1834. The house and formal gardens chronicle 150 years of economic, social and domestic life in New Bedford. The grounds encompass a full city block of gardens including a Wildflower Walk, a formal boxwood rose parterre garden, a cutting garden, a boxwood specimen garden and an historic wood lattice pergola. Fee charged.
Scituate Historical Society
First Parish Road
Scituate, MA
Phone: 617-545-0474
The Scituate Historical society is responsible for and offers tours of seven historic sites. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.
Spooner House
27 North Street
Plymouth, MA
Phone: 508-746-0012
Built in 1749, the Spooner family occupied this house for over 2 centuries. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.
Winslow House
Careswell and Webster Streets
Marshfield, MA
Phone: 617-837-5753
Built in 1699, this home served as Daniel Webster's law office in the 18th century. Of particular interest it the carriage house, featuring a stagecoach, phaeton and brougham. Open seasonally. There is an admission charge.
Abigail Adams Birthplace
Norton and North Streets
Weymouth, MA
Phone: 781-335-4205
The second First Lady of the United States was born in this home in 1744. The house has been restored to its condition in the mid 1700s, and contains period household items and furniture. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.
Battleship Massachusetts
Battleship Cove
Fall River, MA
Phone: 508-678-1100
The battleship Massachusetts, submarine Lionfish, destroyer Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., are among the World War II vessels docked at this location. Visitors will enjoy tours of the vessels and related exhibits. There is an admission fee.
Brockton Historical Society Museums
216 North Pearl Street
Brockton, MA 02301
Phone: 617-583-1039
Open: September –June, first and third Sundays, 2-4 p.m.
The history of the area is detailed in this museum, including Thomas Edison (an area resident), Rocky Marciano (boxer born in Brockton), plus exhibits on shoe-making and firefighting.
Captain Gershom Bradford House
931 Tremont Street
Duxbury, MA
Phone: 617-934-6106
This 19th century structure was home to a sea captain. Inside visitors will find exhibits relating to 19th century life and Bradford's marine career. Open seasonally. There is an admission charge.
Captain John Wilson House
4 Elm Street
Cohasset, MA 02025
Phone: 781-383-1434
Open: June-September, Tuesday-Friday, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Modest but typical 1810 New England village house is preserved in its original condition and contains a rare collection of antique furniture and artifacts to recreate an Early American dwelling. Admission is free.
Carousel Under the Clock
205 Nantasket Avenue
Hull, MA
Phone: 617-925-0472
A working antique carousel with authentic wooden horses. Visitors ride to music on a 1928 Wurlitzer organ. Open seasonally. There is a charge to ride the carousel.
Cudworth House
First Parish Road
Scituate, MA
This home was built in 1797 and now displays varied selection of antique household items and farm equipment. Of particular interest is a full working 19th century loom. Open seasonally. There is an admission charge.
Dighton Rock Museum
Bay View Road
Berkley, MA 02779
Phone: 508-822-7537
Open: Seasonally, by appointment only; call ahead
The focus of this museum is a boulder with inscriptions attributed to Native Americans and Portuguese explorers. Admission is free.
Visitor Center - 1250 Hancock Street
Quincy, MA 02169
Phone: 617-471-1700
Fax: 617-471-3087
While in Quincy, be sure to visit our many historic treasures
Fall River Carousel
1 Central Street, Battleship Cove
Fall River, MA
Built in the 1920s, this carousel is in working order and open for riders seasonally. There is a charge to ride.
Fall River Historical Society
451 Rock Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: 508-679-1071
Open: April-early November, Tuesday – Friday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; June-September, Saturday and Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m.
Set in the mansion of a mill owner, this museum features both artwork and historic items. The exhibit related to Lizzie Borden, the infamous accused murderess, is of particular interest. Admission charge.
Forefathers Monument
Allerton Street
Plymouth, MA
Phone: 508-746-1620
Monument to the pilgrims made out of solid granite. The largest of its kind in the United States. Free admission.
Fort Phoenix
Off MA Route 6
Fairhaven, MA
This historic fort was first constructed before the American Revolution. The top of the fort provides scenic views of the harbor. There is an admission charge.
Harlow Old Fort House
119 Sandwich Street
Plymouth, MH
Phone: 508-746-0012
This Pilgrim home was built in 1677.
Hedge House
126 Water Street
Plymouth, MA
Phone: 508-746-0012
Built in 1809, this was the home of a merchant and shipowner. 19th century home furniture is on display. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.
Hingham Historical Society Museum
21 Lincoln Street
Hingham, MA 02043
Phone: 781-749-7721
Open: June 14-September 3, Tuesday-Saturday, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
The Old Ordinary, a 17th-century building that began as a home and eventually became a tavern, currently is a house museum owned and operated by the Hingham Historical Society. Admission charge.
HMS Bounty
Battleship Cove
Fall River, MA
Phone: 508-673-3886
This replica of the famous ship is often used in films. When not at sea, however, it is docked in Fall River. Tours are offered seasonally. There is an admission fee.
Hull Lifesaving Museum
1117 Nantasket Avenue
Hull, MA 02045
Phone: 617-925-5433
Open: Open year-round; call for seasonal hours
Nineteenth-century Life Saving Station facing Boston Light; working rescue apparatus; exhibits, shipwreck lore, and kid's loft. Admission charge.
Jabez Howland House
33 Sandwich Street
Plymouth, MA
Phone: 508-746-9590
This colonial was built in 1667 and features historic furnishings and household items. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.
Jenney Grist Mill
6 Spring Lane
Plymouth, MA
Phone: 508-747-3715
A replica of the mill used by the Pilgrims. The original was built in 1636. Free admission.
John Alden House
105 Alden Street
Duxbury, MA
Phone: 781-934-9092
Two of the Mayflower'smost famous passengers, John and Priscilla Alden lived in this home in the 17th century. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.
King Caesar House
King Caesar Road
Duxbury, MA
Phone: 617-934-6106
In 1808, this mansion was built by a wealthy ship magnate. Open seasonally. There is an admission charge.
