Massachusetts (MA) Museums and Galleries

Museum of Science

One Science Park Boston, MA 02114 Phone: 617-723-2500

Make one remarkable discovery after another at the Museum of Science. Science and technology come to life as you experience: more than 700 interactive exhibits; thrilling films on New England's only IMAX® Dome screen in the Mugar Omni Theater; a life-size T. rex, and Cliff, a rare Triceratops fossil; a tropical oasis of free-flying butterflies from around the world; indoor lightning bolts in the Theater of Electricity. For information, call call 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417(TTY) or click on the link above!

Heritage Museums & Gardens

67 Grove Street Sandwich, MA 02563 Phone: 508-888-3300

Fostering lifelong learning by preserving and sharing the history, industry, art and horticulture of America

Heritage Museums & Gardens celebrates the American Spirit. We offer each of our visitors a unique experience ranging from quiet contemplation to active exploration. The Museum is famous for its Dexter Rhododrenrons that bloom late May into early June. The beautifully landscaped grounds are a naturalized woodland park on the edge of upper Shawme Pond. A Shaker round barn houses the J. K. Lilly III Antique Automobile Collection with its stunning display of antique automobiles. The American History Museum will be opening this summer with several new exhibits. An operating hand-carved carousel and many of America's most distinguished artists' works are on exhibit in the Art Museum. Open April 1 to October 31, from 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

Fitchburg Art Museum

25 Merriam Parkway Fitchburg, MA 01420 Phone: 978-345-4207 Fax: 978-345-2319

Fitchburg Art Museum, is one of New England's oldest and most treasured cultural institutions. This world-class family-friendly museum has a permanent collection spanning 5,000 years. Visitors can experience a wealth of masterpieces in 12 galleries that feature American, European, Greek, Roman, Asian, and Pre-Colombian art. Also, visit their newly renovated and interactive Egyptian gallery. The museum's educational programs inspire all to learn about the importance of world cultures, art history, and contemporary life. Additionally, the museum's historic and contemporary facility is an architectural jewel and a perfect venue for private functions and events. Don't miss this truly extraordinary museum in the beautiful hills of North Central Massachusetts.

Museum Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 12-4pm, Saturday and Sunday, 11 –5. Open the following bank holiday Mondays – Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Patriot’s Day and Columbus Day. The Museum is open late and free the first Thursday of every month. For more information, follow our link above.

Concord Museum

Cambridge Turnpike at Lexington Road Concord, MA 01742 Phone: 978-369-9763 Fax: 978-369-9660

Where Concord’s History Begins

Renowned as the site of the battle that began the American Revolution and as the home of the most original thinkers and writers of the American literary renaissance, the town of Concord has played a remarkable part in the history of New England and the nation. The Concord Museum is the one place where all of Concord' s past is brought to life through a nationally-significant historical collection including the famed Revere lantern, literary treasures such as Emerson's Study and Thoreau' s Walden desk, Concord-made clocks, silver and furniture -- all in engaging, self-touring galleries with hands-on family activities and the award-winning Exploring Concord film. Open daily year round.

Harvard Museum of Natural History

26 Oxford Street Cambridge, MA 02138 Phone: 617-495-3045 Fax: 617-496-8782

Dinosaurs, Glass Flowers, Meteorites – Explorers Welcome

Explore 12,000 specimens at the Harvard Museum of Natural History -- dinosaurs, meteorites, gemstones, and hundreds of animals from around the globe. Get close to the world’s only mounted Kronosaurus, a 42 ft-long marine reptile; one of the first Triceratops ever discovered; a 1,642 lb. amethyst geode. Don’t miss the world famous exhibit of 3,000 ‘Glass Flowers’, amazingly realistic models of plants, fruits and flowers created by father-son glass artists Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka from 1886-1936. Explore the renovated Great Mammal Hall, where skeletons of huge Sperm, Right and Finback whales are suspended from the ceiling. The museum is on the University campus, just a 7-10 minute walk through historic Harvard Yard from the Harvard Square Red Line ‘T’ station. Check out new and changing exhibitions, New England Forests, Africa, and Language of Color. Follow our link above for directions, parking & info on classes and free evening lectures.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Columbia Point Boston, MA 02125 Phone: 617-514-1600 Toll-Free: 866-JFK-1960 Fax: 617-436-3395

The life, leadership, and legacy of President Kennedy

Situated on a 10-acre park overlooking Boston Harbor, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the nation's official memorial to John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States. The museum at the Kennedy Library enables visitors to step back into the recreated world of the early 1960s and experience first-hand the life and legacy of John F. Kennedy. In 25 dramatic exhibits, including three theaters and 20 video presentations, visitors are inspired by the stirring eloquence of John F. Kennedy and by the grace of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Open daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; closed New Year’s, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Mary Baker Eddy Library™

200 Massachusetts Avenue Boston, MA 02115 Toll-Free: 888-222-3711

Home of the world-famous Mapparium®

The Mary Baker Eddy Library features some of the most thought-provoking and fun exhibits in the city, exploring the life and achievements of Mary Baker Eddy. She was a controversial New England woman who defied conventional 19th-century thinking to become an influential religious leader, author, teacher, and founder of the Christian Science Monitor at age 87. The museum also houses the world-famous Mapparium®, an achievement in art and architecture from 1935 giving visitors a unique look at how ideas have the power to change the world. The Lending & Reference Services and Research Room provide access to further subject reading, books, archival documents, photographs, and artifacts of the Mary Baker Eddy Library Collections.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

465 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115 Phone: 617-267-9300

One of the world’s great art museums

Come to the MFA and see masterpieces from around the world and across the ages. At every turn, you’ll find breathtaking works of art, including icons such as Paul Revere’s silver Liberty bowl, a collection of Asian art that is unrivaled in the Western world, the finest collection of Monets outside of Paris, and treasures from Egypt and the ancient world. In November 2010, the Museum opened its new Art of the Americas wing to critical praise and audience delight. More than 5,000 glorious examples of art including paintings, sculpture, furniture, works on paper, textiles, and decorative arts from South, Central, and North America tell the story of American culture and history through art from prehistoric to the present day. Open daily. Visit mfa.org for more information.

Museum of Science

One Science Park Boston, MA 02114 Phone: 617-723-2500

Make one remarkable discovery after another at the Museum of Science. Science and technology come to life as you experience: more than 700 interactive exhibits; thrilling films on New England's only IMAX® Dome screen in the Mugar Omni Theater; a life-size T. rex, and Cliff, a rare Triceratops fossil; a tropical oasis of free-flying butterflies from around the world; indoor lightning bolts in the Theater of Electricity. For information, call call 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417(TTY) or click on the link above!

Concord Museum

Cambridge Turnpike at Lexington Road Concord, MA 01742 Phone: 978-369-9763 Fax: 978-369-9660

Exploring historic Concord? Begin at the Concord Museum!

For a small town, Concord has a big history. From the “shot heard round the world” to the writers of the American literary renaissance, things have happened here, words have been spoken here and books have been written here which changed the face of a nation. Over time, Concord has become a symbol of liberty and intellectual freedom. And nowhere is that important heritage captured more dramatically than at the Concord Museum. An inspiring collection of American treasures includes the 1775 “one, if by land, two, if by sea” Revere lantern, Thoreau’s Walden desk and Emerson’s Study. Linger in engaging history galleries, enjoy the beauty of Concord antiques, and create your own memories with family-friendly activities. Open daily year round.

The House of the Seven Gables

115 Derby Street Salem, MA 01970 Phone: 978-744-0991 Fax: 978-741-4350

Cross the threshold into one of the most famous structures in America & experience the countless surprises hidden beneath its legendary gables

Discover The House of the Seven Gables in Salem, Massachusetts. This seaside historic site showcases the seventeenth century Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, forever immortalized as “The House of the Seven Gables” by author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Professional guides welcome guests year round to explore Salem’s architecture, maritime history, and the literary legacy of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Admission also includes a visit to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Birthplace to learn more about how the author’s life and experiences in Salem influenced his work. Adding to the site’s charm are three-season gardens and a unique museum store. Open mid-January through December, 10:00am-5:00pm, with extended hours until 7:00pm, July-October.

Art Complex Museum at Duxbury

189 Alden Street Duxbury, MA 02331 Phone: 781-934-6634

A place for viewing and learning about art in an intimate and comfortable setting

The Art Complex Museum at Duxbury is situated on over 13 acres of woodland and open fields. It was founded as a center for regional arts and to host the impressive collection of the Carl A. Weyerhaeuser family. The museum is well known for its permanent collections of Shaker furniture, American paintings, which include some fine representations of each of the developmental stages of American landscape painting, Asian art and a print collection that spans from Europe and Asia to the United States. There is also a library of over 6,000 volumes which support the museum’s collections. Other offerings of the Art Complex include educational programs, special exhibits and Sunday afternoon concerts. Open: Wednesday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Admission is Free.

Plimoth Plantation

137 Warren Avenue Plymouth, MA 02360 Phone: 508-746-1622

Learning, and sharing what we learn, is the basis of our work and what we strive to achieve through our exhibits and living history sites.

Additional to our major sites, The 1627 English Village, The Wampanoag Homesite, Mayflower II and The Crafts Center, Plimoth Plantation boasts three ongoing exhibits, which include: "Thanksgiving: Memory Myth & Meaning," at the Visitor Center; "13 Moons: A Seasonal Food Cycle," featured in the Crafts Center exhibit space and "Provisioning A Ship," located on the State Pier next to Mayflower II. We know you will find the information interesting and quite intriguing.

This year, we also have a special exhibit running from May 3rd to November 30th. "FlightPath: Plymouth Beach," a beautiful photography exhibit by renowned nature photographer Jim Fenton. Be sure to see it while it's here.

Amherst History Museum

The Strong House, 67 Amity Street Amherst, MA 01002 Phone: 413-256-0678

Open: May 17– October 28, Wednesday through Saturday noon-4 p.m. Call ahead for seasonal changes in hours.

Exhibits of 18th and 19th century art and furniture. Open seasonally. There is an admission charge.

Berkshire Museum

39 South Street (Route 7) Pittsfield, MA 01201 Phone: 413-443-7171

Open: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; closed Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day; December 24 and December 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

An all-in-one museum, featuring galleries of art, natural science and history exhibits, and a cinema. The museum schedules programs for children, lectures, and art classes throughout the year. Admission charge.

Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum

10 Willow Creek Road Lenox, MA 01240 Phone: 413-637-2210

Open: Call for schedule of rides and events

Restored 1902 depot with railroading exhibits and model train displays; Berkshire Cottages exhibit in vintage railroad coach. On summer weekends and holidays the museum offers two 90-minute round trip excursions from Lenox Station to Stockbridge and a 45-minute round trip excursion from Lenox Station to Lee narrated by a uniformed conductor. Admission charge.

Children's Museum at Holyoke

444 Dwight Street Holyoke, MA 01040 Phone: 413-536-KIDS

Open: Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; closed Monday-Wednesday. Call for seasonal changes.

Hands-on exhibits for children. Admission charge.

Crane Museum of Papermaking

Housatonic Street Dalton, MA 01226 Phone: 413-684-6481

Open: June to mid-October, Monday-Friday, 1-5 p.m.

Situated in Crane's historic 1845 old stone mill. Exhibits and displays of nearly 200 years of papermaking in Dalton.

Hadley Farm Museum

208 Middle Street Hadley, MA 01035 Phone: 413-586-1160

Open: May-October, Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.

Early New England farm equipment in restored 1782 barn: blacksmith tools, ox cart, stage coach, plows, early domestic appliances.

Historic Deerfield

88 Old Main Street Deerfield, MA 01342 Phone: 413-775-7214

Open: Daily, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; call for seasonal changes.

Historic Deerfield is “New England as you hope to find it!” Located in western Massachusetts off Routs 5 and 10 in the 330-year old village of Deerfield, the Museum has been called “the gem of rural New England,” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This Museum of New England’s history and art welcomes visitors of all ages from around the world to Deerfield’s mile-long thoroughfare, simply called, “The Street.” The Museum features twelve houses dating to the 18th and 19th centuries and three exhibition galleries within the Flynt Center of Early New England Life. Historic Deerfield’s decorative arts treasures can be viewed on both the guided and self-guided tours. A full calendar of programs, special events, group tours and village walking tours are offered throughout the year. The Museum Store and Bookshop feature gifts for all occasions, museum reproductions and a wide selection of books about early America and the decorative arts. Open Daily, year round, 9:30-4:30 except Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 & 25.

Indian Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame

33 Hendee Street Springfield, MA 01104 Phone: 413-737-2624

Open: March 1-November 30, daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; December 1-February 28, daily 1-4 p.m.; closed New Year’s Day, thanksgiving, Christmas.

Exhibits of motorcycles and memorabilia. Includes a photo gallery. Admission charge.

Joseph Skinner Museum

35 Woodbridge Street South Hadley, MA 01075 Phone: 413-538-2245

Open: May through October, Wednesdays and Sundays, 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

Set in a church built in 1846, this museum feature 19th century glassware, furniture and musical instruments. An exhibit of locally unearthed minerals is also of interest. Open seasonally.

Kingman Tavern Historical Museum

41 Main Street Cummington, MA 01026 Phone: 413-634-5527

Open: July and August, Saturday, 2-5 p.m.

Museum features an exhibit of miniature rooms and antique furniture. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.

Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA)

87 Marshall Street North Adams, MA Phone: 413-662-2111

Hours: Regular Hours, September-June 25, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., closed Tuesdays; Summer Hours, June-September, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily

Since opening in 1999, MASS MoCA has become one of the world's premier centers for making and showing contemporary art. MASS MoCA exhibits work by many of the most important artists of today, focusing on large-scale and complex installations that are impossible to realize in conventional museums. MASS MoCA hosts more than 75 performances year-round, including popular music, contemporary dance, alternative cabaret, world music dance parties, outdoor silent films with live music, documentaries, and avant-garde theater.

Mead Art Museum

Amherst College Amherst, MA 01002 Phone: 413-542-2335

Open: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and until 9 on Thursday; closed Monday and college holidays. Call for seasonal changes

More than 16,000 works; collections range from antiquity to present; portraits by Gilbert Stuart, Italian Renaissance paintings, Japanese woodblock prints, Mediterranean antiquities, and pre-Columbian ceramics. Free admission.

Memorial Hall Museum

8 Memorial Street Deerfield, MA 01342 Phone: 413-774-3768

Open: May 1-October 30

Occupying a building originally constructed in 1798 for Deerfield Academy, Memorial Hall Museum holds over 31,000 items and includes the Old Deerfield Children's Museum, offering family activities in a reproduction of a 1690s house. Exhibits focus on the life and world of an agricultural economy from the earliest Native Americans to the arrival of Europeans.

Mount Holyoke College Art Museum

Lower Lake Road South Hadley, MA 01075 Phone: 413-538-2245

Open: Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1–5 p.m., closed Mondays and certain college holidays. Call ahead for seasonal changes.

Beautifully exhibited and critically acclaimed broad-based permanent collection. Comprehensive scope ranges from ancient to contemporary art and represents diverse cultures. Imaginative special exhibitions; scavenger hunts for kids. Docent-led tours available with advance notice. Collections focus on Asian art; 19th- and 20th-century European and American paintings and sculpture; Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art; Medieval sculpture; and early Italian Renaissance paintings. 6-8 exceptional special exhibitions annually. Visit the college's botanical gardens next door too. Free admission.

Norman Rockwell Museum

9 Glendale Road (Route 183) Stockbridge, MA 01262 Phone: 413-298-4100

Open: November-April, weekdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; weekends and holidays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m; May-October and holidays, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Largest collection of original work by Norman Rockwell, the quintessential American illustrator famous for his "Saturday Evening Post" covers. Artist's studio; exhibitions of Rockwell's work, his contemporaries, and modern illustrators. Admission charge.

Porter-Phelps-Huntington House Museum

130 River Drive Hadley, MA 01035 Phone: 413-584-4699

Open: May 15-October 15, Saturday through Wednesday, 1-4:30 p.m.; closed Thursdays and Fridays. Open mornings by appointment.

Historic house museum preserving the material possessions and papers of six generations of one of Hadley's founding families. Tours and interpretations of the house and its contents. Concert series and afternoon teas. There is an admission fee.

Pratt Museum of Natural History

Amherst College Amherst, MA 01002 Phone: 413-542-2165

Open: September through mid-June; weekdays, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. July- August, Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Exhibits at this museum focus on dinosaurs, vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, minerals, crystals, and other geologic specimens.

Smith College Museum of Art

Elm Street Northampton, MA 01063 Phone: 413-585-2760

Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 4 p.m.; Second Fridays, 10 a.m.– 8 p.m. (4 – 8 p.m., free admission); closed Mondays and major holidays

More than 25,000 art objects from a variety of cultures from 2500 B.C. to present. Special exhibitions. Internationally known for collection of 19th- and 20th- century European and American art.

Springfield Museums & Dr Seuss Nat’l Memorial Sculpture Garden

21 Edwards Street Springfield, MA 01103 Phone: 413-263-6800

Life-size statues of Springfield native Dr. Seuss and his favorite characters including Horton, the Grinch and the Lorax, greet you at the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden. Then step inside the four museums where you'll find fierce Samurai armor and weaponry; an internationally-acclaimed collection of Oriental bronze, jade and porcelain; intricate Middle Eastern rugs; fine American and European paintings and sculpture; the live-animal Solutia Eco-Center; a savannah-full of animals in the multi-level R.E. Phelon African Hall; Dinosaur Hall with its towering tyrannosaurus rex; Astronomy Hall complete with a planetarium; and changing exhibits highlighting Connecticut River Valley history since 1636. Learning is more fun hands-on in the colorful Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center and stimulating MASSPOWER Science Discovery Laboratory. A variety of curriculum-based tours and programs are available.

Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute

225 South Street Williamstown, MA 01267 Phone: 413-458-2303

Open: September-June, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Mondays; July and August, open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Clark Art Institute boasts one of this country's most impressive and prestigious fine art collections, including many French Impressionist paintings, with more than thirty by the esteemed painter Renoir. Also gracing the walls are noteworthy Old Master paintings and a significant group of American works by Homer, Sargent, Cassatt and Remington. Admission charge.

Stone House Museum

20 Maple Street Belchertown, MA 01007 Phone: 413-323-6573

Open: Guided tours mid-May-October, on Wednesday and Saturday, 2-5 p.m.

19th century artifacts and exhibits, featuring a carriage shed with carriages, sleighs, and early furniture. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.

Storrowton Village Museum

1305 Memorial Avenue West Springfield, MA 01089 Phone: 413-205-5051

Open: June 19-August 24, Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; group tours by appointment year-round.

A restored New England village, featuring blacksmith shop, homes, schoolhouse, and a meetinghouse. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.

Williams College Museum of Art

Main Street (Route 2) Williamstown, MA 01267 Phone: 413-597-2429

Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m., free admission

Modern and contemporary art, American art from the late 18th century to the present, and the art of world cultures. Maurice and Charles Prendergast gallery.

Wistariahurst Museum

238 Cabot Street Holyoke, MA 01040 Phone: 413-322-5660 Fax: 413-534-2344

Open: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, noon- 4 p.m.

Twenty-six-room Beaux Arts mansion of silk manufacturer William Skinner featuring many outstanding architectural details and a house tour that weaves the tale of the people who lived and worked there. Dinosaur footprints and gardens. Admission charge.

1869 Schoolhouse Museum

Route 6 Eastham, MA 02642

Open: July and August, daily, 1-4 p.m.; September, Saturday, 1-4 p.m.

One-room schoolhouse; school memorabilia, farm implements, and fishing industry artifacts, whaling and military artifacts. Admission is free.

Aptucxet Trading Post Museum

24 Aptucxet Road Bourne, MA 02532 Phone: 508-759-9487

Open: Seasonal hours. Call ahead for information.

This museum is set in a replica of a 17th century trading post. Exhibits feature a windmill, gardens and artifacts from the period. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.This museum is set in a replica of a 17th century trading post. Exhibits feature a windmill, gardens and artifacts from the period. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.

Atwood House Historical Museum

34 Stage Harbor Road Chatham, MA 02633 Phone: 508-945-2493

Open: June, September, October 1-14, Tuesday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m.; July and August, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Exhibits feature antiques and artifacts dating from 1635 and later. Of particular interest is a large collection of shells. Admission charge.

Brooks Academy Museum

80 Parallel St. Harwich Center, MA 02645 Phone: 508-432-8089

Open: Tours through the summer months, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 1-4 p.m. and at other times by appointment.

This 1844 building was the site of a school that offered some of the region's first courses in navigation. Maritime and Native American artifacts are featured, as are displays of antique glass, photographs, toys, clothing and more. Collection includes Charles D. Cahoon paintings, Crowell carved birds, the Cape's largest cranberry culture exhibit, historic photographs, manuscripts, and genealogical records.

Cahoon Museum of American Art

4676 Falmouth Road Cotuit, MA 02635 Phone: 508-428-7581

Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. closed January

Colonial farmhouse from 1775; primitive paintings by Ralph and Martha Cahoon; 19th- and early 20th- century American art; changing exhibits. Admission charge.

Cape Cod Children's Museum

577 Great Neck Road Mashpee, MA 02659 Phone: 508-539-8788

Open: Tuesday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, noon–5 p.m.; Memorial Day–Labor Day, Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Call for holiday hours.

Children will find much to learn and do here. Hands-on exhibits, pirate ship, indoor planetarium; puppet theater, toddler play area, and daily programs. Admission charge.

Cape Cod Museum of Art

Route 6A Dennis, MA 02638 Phone: 508-385-4477

Open: Memorial Day-Columbus Day, Monday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Thursdays until 8 p.m.

Paintings, graphics, and sculpture by Cape Cod artists. Sculpture garden.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

869 Route 6A Brewster, MA 02631 Phone: 508-896-3867

Open: June 1- September 30, daily, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; October 1-March 31, Wednesday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; April 1-May 31, Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed December 24, 25, 31, January 1.

Eighty-acre site abutted by 300 acres of conservation land; nature trails, exhibits, films, guided walks, lectures, and family activities. This museum features exhibits on the local flora and fauna, and nature trails. Events, classes and walks are scheduled throughout the year. There is an admission charge.

Captain Bangs Hallet House

11 Strawberry Lane (off Route 6A) Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 Phone: 508-362-3021

Open: June 1 through October 15, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with tours at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.

The original part of this Greek Revival sea captain's house was built in 1740. A century later, additional portions of the house were built. The kitchen has its original 1740 brick beehive oven and butter churn. A nice collection of china, pewter, maritime artifacts, and clothing from the sea captain era are displayed here. The 50 acre property has nature trails. Open throughout the summer on select afternoons.

Centerville Historical Society Museum

513 Main Street Centerville, MA 02632 Phone: 508-775-0331

Open: May 2-December 15, Tuesday-Saturday, noon– 4 p.m.

In this late 19th century home, visitors will find exhibits concerning the history and historical life of Centerville and Cape Cod. Includes historical clothing and artifacts. Open seasonally. Admission is free.

Chatham Railroad Museum

Depot Road Chatham, MA 02633

Open: Tuesday- Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Paradise for railroad enthusiasts features thousands of train models, restored train depots, railroad artifacts and a 1910 caboose. Open seasonally. Admission is free.

Donald G. Trayser Memorial Museum

Route 6A Barnstable, MA 02668 Phone: 508-362-2092

Open: July-mid-October, Tuesday-Saturday afternoons

Located in an 1855 brick Customs House the museum showcases a Native American arrowhead display, a 1690 jail cell, marine exhibits, scrimshaw, Barnstable silver, historic documents.

Falmouth Historical Society Museums and Colonial Garden

55 Palmer Avenue, adjacent to the Village Green Falmouth, MA 02540 Phone: 508-548-4857

Open: June 27-October 7, Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Two 18th-century houses showcase period furnishings, china, toys, vintage clothing (including a laundry room filled with Victorian underwear), fine art and heritage quilts. Special exhibits capture the excitement of Falmouth’s 19th-century whaling industry, the science of pre-Civil War medicine, and the life of Katharine Lee Bates, Falmouth-born author of America the Beautiful.

French Cable Station Museum

Cove Road and Route 28 Orleans, MA 02653 Phone: 508-240-1735

Open: June, Friday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; July-early September, Monday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m.

One of the most significant developments of the 19th century was the transatlantic cable connecting North America to Europe by telephone. This museum houses the original equipment used to lay that cable. Admission fee.

Highland House Museum – Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse

27 Highland Road Truro, MA 02666 Phone: 508-487-3397

Open: The Museum: June 1 -September 30, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sunday, 1- 4:30 p.m. The Lighthouse: May-mid-October, daily, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Located near Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse, the Highland House Museum is an example of a turn-of-the-century summer hotel. The museum illustrates everyday life of the past, from the time of the Pamet Native Americans to the early days of this century. The museum contains 17th-century firearms, shipwreck mementos, early fishing and whaling gear, household tools, farming implements, furniture, Sandwich glass, a pirate’s chest and more. The Cape Cod Lighthouse includes an Interpretive Center offering a 10-minute video and an observation deck on one of the highest cliffs on the Cape. Aadmission charge.

John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum

397 Main Street Hyannis, MA 02601 Phone: 508-790-3077

Open: Mid-April-Memorial Day, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; Memorial Day-Columbus Day, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Columbus Day-October 31, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; Nov

This museum focuses on Kennedy's life and activities during the times he vacationed in Hyannis. There is an admission charge.

Osterville Historical Society Museum

Parker and West Bay Roads Osterville, MA 02655 Phone: 508-428-5861

Open: Mid-June-mid-September, Thursday-Sunday 1:30-4:30 p.m.; other times by appointment

Set in the home of a sea captain built in the 18th century, the museum features home-oriented exhibits, a boat shop and outdoor gardens. seasonally. There is an admission fee.
Hours: June-September, Thursday-Sunday, 1:30 -4:30 p.m. Fee charged.

Provincetown Art Association and Museum of Art

460 Commercial Street Provincetown, MA 02657 Phone: 508-487-1750

Open: October - May, Thursday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Memorial Day-September, Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Since 1914, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum has served as a collecting museum and a professional artists association. PAAM houses five galleries, two sculpture gardens, more than 2,000 works by more than 500 artists, and a museum school run by professional artists. Year-round programs include a concert series, a film series, auctions, galas, readings, lectures, and Friday night exhibition openings.

Provincetown Museum

High Pole Hill Provincetown, MA Phone: 508-487-1310

The history of the Cape is detailed here, including a granite tower monument commemorating the Pilgrim's first landing on the Cape in 1620. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.

Sandwich Glass Museum

129 Main Street Sandwich, MA 02563 Phone: 508-888-0251

Open: February-March, Wednesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; April-December, daily, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed January, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

Sandwich was home to a glass factory throughout much of the 19th century. This museum features exhibits of glassware made from 1825 to 1888. Admission charge.

Thornton W. Burgess Museum

4 Water Street (Route 130) Sandwich, MA 02563 Phone: 508-888-6870

Open: May – October, Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.

The author of the Peter Rabbit stories lived in this home and did much of his work here. The museum features a variety of memorabilia relating to the life and times of Thornton Burgess. Visitors can browse a variety of books, toys, games, and household goods that feature some of Burgess’ most famous characters including Peter Rabbit, Reddy Fox, and Jimmy Skunk. Also housed in the museum are a gift shop, featuring Green Briar Jam Kitchen products, educational toys and games, storybooks, and Cape Cod goodies. Admission by donation.

Wellfleet Historical Society Museum

266 Main Street Wellfleet, MA 02667 Phone: 508-349-9157

Open: June 21-September 10, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 1-4 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Memorabilia featuring toys, marine equipment, and needlework. Tours of the area's historic sites are available. Open seasonally. There is an admission charge.

Woods Hole Historical Museum

Woods Hole Road Woods Hole, MA 02543 Phone: 508-548-7270

Open: Mid-June-mid-October, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. A guided walking tour

Set in the historic Bradley House, this museum features a model of the village of Woods Hole as it was in 1895. Admission is free.

Clara Barton Birthplace Museum

68 Clara Barton Road North Oxford, MA 01537 Phone: 508-987-5375

Open: June 1-Columbus Day weekend, Wednesday – Sunday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.. Call ahead for seasonal changes

The first home of one of America's most famous women and the founder of the American Red Cross. Exhibits feature Barton's career and history, in addition to family memorabilia. Admission charge.

Fruitlands Museums

102 Prospect Hill Road Harvard, MA 01451 Phone: 508-456-3924

Open: May 13 through October 31, weekdays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; weekends and holidays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Set on the site of an 1843 social experiment by A.B. Alcott. Fruitlands was conceived as a 19th century utopia, but is now home to a museum exhibits focusing on the Shaker society, the region's native American population, in addition to Fruitlands itself. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.

National Plastics Center and Museum

210 Lancaster Street Leominster, MA 01453 Phone: 508-537-9529

Open: Wednesday- Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Call for seasonal changes.

Discover the science, history, and many uses of plastic. Included is the Plastics Hall of Fame Exhibit. There is an admission fee.

Old Sturbridge Village

1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Off Rte 20 Sturbridge, MA 01566 Phone: 508-347-3362 Toll-Free: 800-SEE-1830

Old Sturbridge Village: The Story of a New Nation

Step out of your world and into ours. Explore early New England in the company of farmers, craftsmen, and fascinating characters. Celebrate yesterday's proud traditions on your remarkable journey into America's past. Old Sturbridge Village offers a variety of ways to experience the artifacts, activities, and seasonal celebrations of rural New England during the first 50 years following the American Revolution (1790-1840). The centerpiece of the museum is a recreated rural New England town of the 1830s encompassing a center village, mills area, and countryside. Period handcrafts, heirloom gardens, and heritage breeds of farm animals are part of every village visit. Hands-on opportunities abound. The Visitor Center is home to our new History Gateway, including Kidstory an early learning gallery and Icons of New England exhibit, focusing on the history of what makes New England unique. Open year-round, daily except Mondays. Call ahead for holiday schedules.

Willard House and Clock Museum

11 Willard Street Grafton, MA 01536 Phone: 508-839-3500

Open: April – December, Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; closed Monday and major holidays; January-March, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; closed Easter Sunday.

Over 90 Willard clocks displayed in 1718 Willard homestead and 1766 clock shop; 18th century pewter and furniture; 19th century Oriental rugs and children's toys; Willard family furnishings and portraits; 18th and 19th century firearms; Nipmuc Indian artifacts; and horological research library. Reservations requested for groups of eight and larger. Admission fee.

Worcester Historical Museum & Salisbury Mansion

30 Elm Street Worcester, MA 01609 Phone: 508-753-8278

Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

This museum focuses on the history of the city of Worcester. A library also is on the site. There is an admission fee.

Arthur M. Sackler Museum

485 Broadway Street Cambridge, MA 02138 Phone: 617-495-9400

Open: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday,1-5 p.m.; closed on national holidays.

Ancient, Asian, Islamic, and Later Indian art: Chinese jades, bronzes, and cave temple sculpture; Korean ceramics; Japanese wood block prints; and Greek and Roman sculptures, vases, and ancient coins. Admission fee.

Busch-Reisinger Museum

32 Quincy Street Cambridge, MA 02138 Phone: 617-495-9400

Open: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Closed on national holidays

Collections of art from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and related cultures. Major holdings of Austrian Secession art, German expressionism, 1920s abstraction, and Bauhaus archives. Post-war and contemporary art from German-speaking Europe including work by Joseph Beuys. Of particular interest is the lovely sculpture garden. Admission charge.

Charles River Museum of Industry

154 Moody Street Waltham, MA 02453 Phone: 617-893-5410

Open: Thursday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Located in America's first factory, the history 1814 Boston Manufacturing Company textile mill, on the National Register of Historic Places. Exhibits include the American Industrial Revolution, steam power, Waltham Watch Company, plus the bicycle and automobile manufacturing industries along the Charles River. Explore the inventions that powered America into the modern age and the geniuses who perfected them. Admission charge.

Commonwealth Museum

220 Morrissey Boulevard, Columbia Point Boston, MA 02125 Phone: 617-727-9268

Open: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; second and fourth Saturday of the month, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The entire state of Massachusetts is on display: Places around the state, famous people who were born or have resided in the state, in addition to its politics and special role in America's history. Free admission.

Danforth Museum of Art

123 Union Avenue Framingham, MA 01702 Phone: 508-620-0050

Open: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday

Art museum with exhibits focusing on both traditional and contemporary art. Admission charge.

Davis Museum and Cultural Center

Wellesley College, 106 Central Street Wellesley, MA Phone: 781-283-2051

Open seasonally

The beautiful Rafael Moneo-designed Davis Museum offers innovative temporary exhibitions and spacious galleries for the museum’s permanent collection of nearly 10,000 works of art that spans the 3,000 years of art history. The permanent collection features American Art; Stories, Ideals, Beliefs; Perceiving Space in Art; and The Artist-as-Curator: Kiki Smith. This hidden gem on the Wellesley College campus is free and open to all. Admission: Free. For hours, visit www.davismuseum.wellesley.edu

Fogg Art Museum

32 Quincy Street Cambridge, MA 02138 Phone: 617- 495-9400

Open: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday,1-5 p.m.; closed on national holidays.

Collections illustrate the history of Western art from Middle Ages to the present with major focus on Italian early Renaissance, British pre-Raphaelite, and nineteenth-century French art. Major collection of Impressionist and post-impressionist work and works by Picasso. Admission charge.

Gibson House Museum

137 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02116 Phone: 617-267-6338

Open: Year-round; visits are by guided tour, Wednesday-Sunday, 1, 2, 3 p.m.; closed New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

This Victorian home is open for visitors to observe the 19th century lifestyle and culture in Boston. There is an admission charge.

Harvard Art Museum at the Arthur M. Sackler Museum

485 Broadway Cambridge, MA Phone: 617-495-9400

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

This collection that is richer and deeper than all but three or four of the country's great public museums; it has, for instance, around 80 works just by Edgar Degas, as well as ancient sculpture from Greece and Rome, European old masters, Asian art, modern German art, and a sizzling selection of Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. The Harvard Art Museum will be closed for major renovations through December 31, 2013. Up to that time, a comprehensive selection of works from the Harvard Art Museum's three constituent museums — the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum, and Arthur M. Sackler Museum — will be shown together at the Arthur M. Sackler Museum. Admission: adults, $9; seniors over age 65, $7; college students, $6; Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon and every day after 4:30 p.m., free.

Institute of Contemporary Art

100 Northern Ave. Boston, MA 02210 Phone: 617-478-3101

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. with free admission on Thursdays from 5-9 p.m.

The Institute of Contemporary Art unveiled its new home on Fan Pier on Boston's waterfront in December 2006. The building's dramatic cantilevered design integrates the city's HarborWalk into the museum and offers shifting views of the harbor. The design weaves together interior and exterior space, producing shifting perspectives of the waterfront throughout the museum's galleries and public spaces.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

280 The Fenway Boston, MA 02115 Phone: 617-566-1401

Open: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

This 15th-century Venetian palace, created at the turn of the century by Isabella Stewart Gardner, houses more than 2,500 art objects, among them works by Rembrandt, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, and Matisse. The Museum was the creation of Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840-1924) “for the education and enjoyment of the public forever.” Since opening to the public in 1903, the Gardner has served as a center for ideas and life-long learning in its community--a tradition that is kept alive today through an array of interpretive, creative, educational, horticultural, artistic, and scholarly programs.

Jackson Homestead

527 Washington Street Newton, MA 02458 Phone: 617-796-1450

Open: Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays

The Jackson Homestead, a 1809 Federal-style farmhouse, is a nationally accredited museum and home to Newton's Historical Society. The exhibits and programs concentrate on topics of New England history, including the home as a site on the Underground Railroad. Collections include paintings, costumes, photographs, manuscripts, maps, and historical artifacts.

List Visual Arts Center at MIT

20 Ames Street Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone: 617-253-4680

Open: Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, noon-6 p.m.; Friday, noon-8 p.m.; closed Mondays and holidays

Exhibitions explore challenging, intellectual contemporary art making in all media: painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation, and architecture/design. Map available for self-guided tour of MIT’s public art works and architecture.

Longyear Museum and Historical Society

1125 Boylston Street (Route 9) Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 Phone: 617-278-9000

Open: Monday, Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; closed Tuesdays and holidays

Exhibits focus on the life of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Christian Science Church. Admission is free.

Milton Art Museum

44 Edge Hill Road Milton, MA Phone: 617-696-1145

Featured exhibits include 19th century bronze sculpture, prints, Asian artwork and contemporary artists. There is an admission fee.

Museum of African American History, Boston campus

46 Joy Street, Beacon Hill Boston, MA 02114 Phone: 617-725-0022

Open: Call for hours

The African Meeting House and Abiel Smith School on Beacon Hill, both built in the early 1800s, are two of the Museum of Afro-American History's most valuable assets. Located in what once was the heart of Boston's 19th-century African American community, these buildings remain a showcase of black community organization and enduring testimony to black craftsmanship. Once a church, a school, a vital community meeting place, the African Meeting House is open to the public. The Abiel Smith School, the nation's first public school for African American children, currently houses a first-class exhibit space and the museum store.

Museum of Transportation

15 Newton Street Brookline, MA 02445 Phone: 617-522-6547

Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; open on some Monday holidays (call ahead); closed national holidays

America's oldest collection of automobiles housed in a castle-like building; artifacts; vintage car meets. There is an admission charge.

Nichols House Museum

55 Mount Vernon Street Boston, MA 02108 Phone: 617-227-6993

Open: May 1 - October 31, Tuesday through Saturday, noon-4 p.m.; November 1 - April 30, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, noon-4 p.m.; closed most major holidays

Built in 1804, this home on Beacon Hill features exhibits of antique furniture and household items. Admission charge.

Old Schwamb Mill

17 Mill Lane at 29 Lowell Street Arlington, MA 02474 Phone: 617-643-0554

Open: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The historic Old Schwamb Mill site itself survives as a continuously operating site where, for more than 300 years, immigrant Puritan, Yankee, and German entrepreneurs harnessed the water power of a fast-moving brook to run machines and develop a series of family-owned businesses. Today The Old Schwamb Mill continues to produce museum quality hand turned wooden oval and circular frames. See the production of a frame and hear what the woodworker says about his work.

Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University

5 South Street Waltham, MA Phone: 781-736-3432

Open: Hours are seasonal. Summer hours are Wednesday through Friday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Call ahead for schedule.

The Rose Art Museum specializes in modern and contemporary art. It has top-shelf works by, among others, Picasso, Willem de Kooning, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Morris Louis, Andy Warhol, Ed Ruscha, Roy Lichtenstein, and Ad Reinhardt. When you enter campus through the main entrance, take a left. You will pass the admissions building and the round Spingold Theatre building, both on your left. The Rose Art Museum will be on your left. Admission is free and the museum is open to the public.

Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History

235 Wellesley Street Weston, MA 02493 Phone: 781-768-8367

Open: Thursday - Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.

The Spellman Museum engages diverse audiences of all ages in the opportunities to learn from stamps and postal history. It welcomes stamp collectors and philatelic students from around the world. Admission charge.

The Museum of the National Center of Afro American Artists

300 Walnut Avenue Boston, MA 02119 Phone: 617-442-8614

Open: Tuesday through Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

A total focus the art of Afro-Americans, including exhibits, tours, lectures, films, and concerts. Admission charge.

U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Museum

739 Washington Street (the former Fore River Shipyard) Quincy, MA 02169 Phone: 617-479-7900

Open: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

This museum features the U.S.S. Salem, a U.S. Navy battleship in use early this century. Admission charge.

USS Constitution Museum

Charlestown Navy Yard Charlestown, MA 02129 Phone: 617-242-7511

Open: Open: April 15 –October 15, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; October 16-April 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The USS Constitution Museum is a non-profit museum that serves as the memory and educational voice of USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides," the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat. The museum houses the ship's logs, weapons, charts, journals, arts, and more. Visitors fire a cannon, swing in a hammock, or command the USS Constitution in battle using a computer. Free admission.

Cottage Museum

1 Trinity Park Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 Phone: 508-693-0525

Open: Summer months, daily, Monday-Saturday

Thirty-five acres of brightly painted cottage dating back to mid 1800s; tour a gingerbread home; performances at the tabernacle. Visitors to the Cottage Museum can view the interior of a typical Campground cottage, complete with period furnishings offering a glimpse of life on the Campgrounds in the 1800s. Also on display are vintage photographs, a selection of stereoscopic photos of Cottage City and the Campgrounds, along with other interesting documents relating to the history of the Campground. Admission charge.

Egan Maritime Foundation at the Coffin School

4 Winter Street Nantucket, MA 02554 Phone: 508-228-2505

Open: Call for hours of operation

The Coffin School is an impressive example of Greek Revival-style architecture that retains its original details and now houses a spacious lecture/concert hall and exhibition galleries. The Coffin School collection includes early 19th-century portraits of prominent Nantucketers and works illustrating the history of the school. Includes works by island artist Elizabeth Rebecca Coffin and Rodney J. K. Charman, recording Nantucket's rich maritime history from the 17th century through the 19th century.

Maria Mitchell Association Natural Science Museum

7 Milk Street Nantucket, MA 02554 Phone: 508-228-0898

The historic Hinchman House property features a museum of natural history, focusing on plant and animal life on Nantucket. Classes, lectures, nature walks and other events are scheduled throughout the season. Gift shop. The museum is open seasonally but activities are offered year-round. Cost: Adults, $5; children, $4 children; passes to all Maria Mitchell Association museums: Adults, $15; Children, $10.

Martha’s Vineyard Museum

School and Cooke Streets Edgartown, MA 02539 Phone: 508-627-4441 ext 120

Open: Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; weekdays by appointment only

The island's largest museum and its only research library dedicated to the history of the Vineyard. The collections include over 30,000 items relating to all aspects of life on Martha’s Vineyard, such as agricultural tools, archaeological material, paintings, prints and sculpture, baskets, coins, costumes, decoys, hunting and fishing and shell fishing tools, ethnographic material brought back from the all over the worlds by Vineyard whalers, armament, guns and swords, furniture and household equipment, medical and scientific tools and equipment, musical instruments, fossils and botanical samples, maritime-related tools, sailor’s artwork such as scrimshaw and inlaid work, ship models, shipwreck salvage materials, Wampanoag tools, woodworking tools, toys, a whaleboat, Nomansland fishing boat, wagon, sleigh, fire engine and an 1854 first order Fresnel Lens used in the Gay Head Aquinnah lighthouse for almost 100 years

Museum of African American History, Nantucket campus

29 York Street Nantucket, MA 02554 Phone: 508-228-9833

Open: July-August, Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday, 1–3 p.m. Other months by appointment

The Museum of Afro-American History on Nantucket features two historic sites, the African Meeting House and the Florence Higginbotham House. These buildings were at the center of a thriving nineteenth-century African American community on the island. The Museum presents cultural programs and interpretive exhibits on the history of African Americans on Nantucket, and makes the African Meeting House available for ceremonies and special events. A project to preserve and restore the Florence Higginbotham House is underway with generous support from the Community Preservation Committee of Nantucket and the Tupancy-Harris Foundation. Free admission; donations welcome.

Nantucket Life Saving Museum

Polpis Road Nantucket, MA 02554 Phone: 508-228-1885

Open: May, Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Memorial Day-Columbus Day, daily, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

This museum is the recreation of the 1874 life guard station originally at this site. Admission charge.

Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum

49 Union Street Nantucket, MA 02584 Phone: 508-228-1177

Open: Memorial Day weekend-Columbus Day weekend, Tuesday- Saturday, 10 p.m.–4 p.m.

Lightship baskets are unique to the island of Nantucket. The mseum exhibits and documents examples from the early 19th century to present-day creations. Throughout the season, the museum exhibits historical and contemporary baskets, provides demonstrations and lectures by experienced basket makers, weavers, historians, scrimshanders, and restoration experts. The museum also contains a large portion of the workshop of well known basket maker Jose Formoso Reyes (1902-1980). Exhibit changes annually. Admission: Adults, $4; reduced admission for seniors and children.

Quaker Meeting House

7 Fair Street Nantucked, MA 02554 Phone: 508-228-1655

Open April through October

Constructed in 1838 as a Friends school, the Quaker Meeting House provides an appropriate setting for presenting the story of Quakerism as a dominant social and economic force on Nantucket. Interpretive presentations are regularly scheduled. Admission charge.

Whaling Museum

13 Broad Street Nantucket, MA 02554 Phone: 508-228-1736

Open: Open year-round, weekends during the winter

The museum features a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton, a restored 1847 spermaceti candle factory, exhibition space, and a fully accessible rooftop observation deck. The candle factory, built following Nantucket’s Great Fire in 1846, still has its original whale-oil beam press. In the museum’s Gosnell Hall, visitors will learn about the whale hunt and see the whale skeleton, a rigged whaleboat, a collection of whaling tools, and portraits of whaling captains and their wives. Interpretive talks and audiovisual programs are scheduled daily. The Peter Foulger Gallery showcases changing exhibits, and unique seasonal events. Other galleries throughout the museum’s include its world-famous collection of scrimshaw, Nantucket lightship baskets, the 1850 Fresnel lens from the Sankaty Lighthouse in Siasconset, and the restored 1881 town clock. Admission charge.

Addison Gallery of American Art

180 Main Street Andover, MA 01810 Phone: 508-759-4015

Open: Labor Day – July 31, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.; closed August 1 through Labor Day, Mondays and national holidays, December 24

Paintings, prints, sculpture, decorative arts, and photography by American artists from Colonial times to the present. Works by John Singleton Copley, Paul Revere, James Whistler, Edward Hopper, Frank Stella, and Alexander Calder displayed on a rotating basis. Admission is free.

American Textile History Museum

491 Dutton Street Lowell, MA Phone: 978-441-0400

Hours: Open year-round, Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed on holidays.

From spinning wheels to airplanes and power looms to baseballs, history really comes alive at the American Textile History Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, in Lowell. In the main exhibition, Textile Revolution: An Exploration through Space and Time, visitors can spin, weave, design, and recycle through an interactive experience that explores how textiles affect our lives. Watch how baseballs are made from wool, weave on a hand loom, and try on a glove designed for the NASA space program. Rotating special exhibitions exploring fascinating topics through textiles, from the glamour and grace of 1930s fashion to the stories of Vietnam vets.

Andover Historical Society

97 Main Street Andover, MA 01810 Phone: 978-475-2236

Open: Guided tours, Tuesday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m.; museum closed in August

This home, built in 1819, features 19th century artifacts and furnishings. A 19th-century barn is also on the property.

Bartlett Museum

270 Main Street Amesbury, MA 01913 Phone: 978-388-4528

Open: Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, Friday-Sunday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.; holidays, 1-4 p.m.; other times by appointment

Museum features collections of horse-drawn carriages and Native American artifacts. Open seasonally. Admission is free.

Cushing House Museum

98 High Street Newburyport, MA 01950 Phone: 978-462-2681

Open: Individuals and groups under 10 people, May 1-October 31, Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, noon-4 p.m.; closed holidays

This mansion, built in 1808, features antique furniture, artwork and a carriage house. Open seasonally. Admission charge.

Custom House Maritime Museum

25 Water Street Newburyport, MA 01950 Phone: 978-462-8681

Open: Call ahead for hours of operation

Follow the history of maritime Massachusetts through the exhibits at this museum. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.

DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park

51 Sandy Pond Road Lincoln, MA 01773 Phone: 781-259-8355

Open: Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on selected Monday holidays. Call ahead for seasonal changes in hours.

Museum of modern art focuses on New England artists. There is an admission fee, but the outdoor sculpture garden is free.

Hammond Castle Museum

80 Hesperus Avenue Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978-283-7673

Open: Late April to late June, Saturdays and Sundays only, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; late June to Labor Day, daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Labor Day through April

John Hays Hammond, Jr. built his medieval-style castle between the years 1926 and 1929 to serve both as his home and as a backdrop for his collection of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance artifacts. Visitors to Hammond Castle Museum may explore the castle on a self-guided tour of eight rooms including the great hall, indoor courtyard, Renaissance dining room, two guest bedrooms, the inventions exhibit room, and the tower galleries. Visitors may also enjoy the beauty of the castle grounds and a view of the Atlantic shore line.

Heard House Museum

54 South Main Street Ipswich, MA 01938 Phone: 978-356-2811

Open: Memorial Day through Columbus Day, Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.– 3 p.m.; Sunday 1-3 p.m.

Built in 1800, this home contains a collection of antique furniture from China and Colonial America. Visitors will also find a display of carriages. Admission charge.

Lowell Heritage State Park

160 Pawtucket Blvd Lowell, MA Phone: 978-369-6312

Lowell boasts a remarkable network of 19th-century canals created to provide power to the bustling textile mills that operated along the water's edge. Today the buildings remain and continue to evoke the sense of a great industrial city. Visitors can participate in activities, including canal rides, and explore exhibits about Lowell's role in America's industrial history presented in conjunction with the Lowell National Historical Park. A Victorian garden in the heart of the downtown area, and over two miles of landscaped esplanade, summer concerts, and swimming and boating in the Merrimack River are additional attractions at this popular park. The swim area is managed by the City of Lowell from July to August.
The Rourke Brothers State Boat Ramp, Route 113 (Pawtucket Blvd.) is open seasonally to the public to provide boating access to the Merrimack River. The boat ramp (managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation) is composed of 42 trailer lots, 2 HP trailer lots, 18 car top lots, and 2 HP car top lots. There is no fee to use the use the ramp or to park. The entrance to the boat ramp is directly across from Tyco Electronics, Inc. located at 1011 Pawtucket Blvd. and is one-half mile west of the Rourke Bridge.
Recreational opportunities: Accessible Restrooms bicycling paths, boating, boat ramp, canoeing, fishing, hiking, historic site, scenic viewing area, swimming, visitor's center, walking trails.

Lynn Museum & Historical Society

590 Washington St. Lynn, MA 01901 Phone: 781-581-6200

Open: daily, year-round, noon-4 p.m. daily throughout the year, closed holidays

Four rooms exhibit items tracing Lynn's history over a span of 100 years, from 1776 to 1876. Admission charge.

National Heritage Museum

33 Marrett Road, Route 2A Lexington, MA 02421 Phone: 781-861-6559

Open: Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

American history exhibits; films, shows, and concerts; permanent exhibit on freemasonry and the American Revolution. Admission is free.

New England Quilt Museum

18 Shattuck Street Lowell, MA 01852 Phone: 978-452-4207

Open: May through December; Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays

The New England Quilt Museum presents, interprets, and celebrates American quilting past and present. Admission charge.

Paper House

52 Pigeon Hill Street Rockport, MA 01966 Phone: 978-546-2629

Open: April 1 to October 31, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

This home and everything in it are entirely made out of newspaper. Open seasonally. Admission by donation.

Peabody Essex Museum

East India Square Salem, MA 01970 Phone: 978-745-1876

Open: Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Exhibits feature Asian art, history and ethnology, also maritime history. There is an admission charge.

Sandy Bay Historical Society and Museum

40 King Street Rockport, MA 01966 Phone: 978-546-9533

Open: Mid-June-mid-September, Monday-Saturday, 2– 5 p.m. and by appointment

Period rooms; exhibits on local history, fishing, and granite industries; exhibition gallery.Admission charge.

Tsongas Industrial History Center at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum

115 John Street Lowell, MA 01852 Phone: 978-970-5080

Open: Call for appointment to visit

Activities and exhibits highlight the history of industry and industrial development in New England and the United States. Admission charge.

Wenham Museum

132 Main Street Wenham, MA 01984 Phone: 978-468-2377

Open: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays

Museum of social history from 175h century to present. Claflin-Richard House (c. 1690); world-renowned doll collection, dollhouse, costumers, model trains, toys. Conant photography collection, family discovery, and changing exhibits. Admission charge.

Whistler House Museum of Art

243 Worthen Street Lowell, MA 01852 Phone: 978-452-1741

Open: Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The birthplace of James Abbott McNeil Whistler. Exhibits of Whistler's and other's artwork. Open seasonally. Admission charge.

Witch Dungeon Museum

16 Lynde Street Salem, MA 01970 Phone: 978-741-3570

Open: April through November, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

This museum features a tour of the dungeon where those accused of witchcraft were held. Reenactment of the trial is also part of the exhibits. There is an admission charge.

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 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.

Children's Museum in Easton

The Old Fire Station, 9 Sullivan Avenue North Easton, MA 02356 Phone: 508-230-3789

Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; closed most Mondays; call ahead for holidays or school vacation hours

Exhibits and activities for children features bubble tables, a moon room, Legos, the enchanted forest, and a performance area. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Visitors to this facility will see an 18th century meetinghouse, a blacksmith shop, a 19th century kitchen and a spinning room. Open seasonally. Free admission.

Mayflower Society Museum

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 Fire Museum

Old Station No. 4 at 51 Bedford Street New Bedford, MA 02740 Phone: 508-992-2162

Open: Daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Restored fire trucks and interactive exhibits highlight this museum of firefighting, firefighters and their tools.

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 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.

Museum with exhibits of antique furniture, silverware and military memorabilia. There is an admission fee.

Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum

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.

Cape Cod	Central Massachusetts/Sturbridge	Greater Boston and Cambridge
North of Boston/Merrimack Valley	South of Boston/Plymouth

Berkshires/Pioneer Valley/Mohawk Trail	Cape Cod	Central Massachusetts/Sturbridge
Greater Boston and Cambridge	Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket	North of Boston/Merrimack Valley
South of Boston/Plymouth

MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts museums and galleries are among the finest in the world