Museums & Collections
From the rarest artifacts to modern sculptures, from native species to international icons.
Concord Museum
Lexington Road, Concord 01742
978-369-9763
The museum houses one of the oldest and most treasured collections of Americana in the country. It’s the gateway to Concord’s remarkable revolutionary and literary history, from the first shots in the battle for American independence to the legacy of Emerson and Thoreau.
Davis Museum at Wellesley College
106 Central Street, Wellesley 02481
781-283-2051
Distinguished permanent collections including paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photographs, and decorative objects, from antiquity to the contemporary moment; dynamic temporary exhibitions engage visitors in looking anew at the visual arts.
deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
51 Sandy Pond Road Lincoln, 01773
781-259-8355
The Sculpture Park is a constantly changing landscape of more than 60 large-scale, outdoor, and modern sculpture and site-specific installations. Inside, the Museum features a robust slate of rotating exhibitions and innovative interpretive programming.
Fatima Shrine
101 Summer Street, Holliston 01746
508-429-2144
A restful haven in a rustic setting, known for the world’s largest rosary
Fruitlands Museum
102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard 01451
978-456-3924
Once home to a utopian community planned by Louisa May Alcott’s father in the 19th century, the museum’s five buildings are located on more than 200 acres and include art exhibits and educational programs.
Gallery of African Art
62 High Street, Clinton 01510
978-368-0227
This unique collection, representative of various regions, tribes and traditions of the African continent, has been assembled by collector Gordon B. Lankton.
Garden in the Woods
180 Hemenway Road, Framingham 01701
508-877-7630
Operated by the New England Wild Flower Society, the 75 rolling
acres of trails that wind through a variety of natural woodland
floral habitats display the largest landscaped collection of
wildflowers in the Northeast.
International Museum of World War II
Natick 01760
508-651-1944
This is the most comprehensive collection of original artifacts in the world. Over 7,000 pieces, uniquely showing the human story interwoven with the military and political. Scheduled visits only, Tuesday to Saturday.
McAuliffe Center and Challenger Learning Center
Framingham State University
100 State Street, Framingham 01702
Interactive exhibits, planetarium, and Challenger Learning Center mission simulator are available for school and teambuilding groups, adult learners, teacher support, and general audiences on selected dates.
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Museum of Russian Icons
203 Union Street, Clinton 01510
978-598-5000
The Museum of Russian Icons inspires the appreciation and study of Russian culture by collecting and exhibiting one of the world’s largest collections of Russian icons — sacred paintings used for veneration in the Orthodox tradition.
Natick Historical Society Museum
58 Eliot Street, Natick 01760
508-647-4841
Here is the place to explore all things Natick. Stories of local life are what we share from our founding with the “Praying Indians” to today’s center of culture and commerce. Museum, archive, and programs.
Old Sturbridge Village
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge 01566
800-733-1830
Visit Old Sturbridge Village and discover New England’s premier living history museum. Tour a working 1830s town with authentically costumed citizens. History will amaze and inspire your entire family!
Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History
235 Wellesley Street at Regis College, Weston 02493
781-768-8367
You don’t have to be a stamp collector to enjoy a visit to the
Spellman. Rotating exhibits of U.S. and worldwide stamps and
postal history. Family Days, group visits, gift shop, U.S. Post
Office. Thursday–Sunday 12-5pm.
The Discovery Museums
177 Main Street, Acton 01720
978-264-4200
Two great museums, accessible 550-square foot treehouse, and year-round outdoor nature playscape blend the best of science, play and environmental learning on a beautiful 4.5 acre campus.
Arts & Culture
Arts & Culture - deCordova
Arts & Culture - Re-enactors
Community Spotlight - Hudson
Overview
Sitting on the bank of the Assabet River, on the western edge of Middlesex County, Hudson has come to embody the quintessential “new New England town.” While maintaining its charming, traditional essence, the town’s revamped downtown area has injected an air of trendiness and excitement to go along with its serene natural beauty.
History
Previously a village of Marlborough, Hudson was incorporated as its own town in 1866. Taking full advantage of its location along the Assabet River, the town quickly became a thriving factory town and home to 17 different shoe factories, even becoming known as “Shoe Town.” The availability of work opportunities made it an ideal place for immigrants to come to work and raise a family, and the land was settled by newcomers of predominantly Irish and Portuguese descent.
Local Offerings
With an influx of younger residents, Hudson has become a trendier, contemporary town, and its culinary offerings reflect this demographic shift. For those who enjoy a local craft brew, there’s Medusa Brewing Company and Ground Effect Brewing Company, which pair perfectly with a variety of artisanal cheeses from downtown’s Mullahy’s cheese shop. For the even younger crowd, Hudson offers many ways to pass the time, including Cellucci Skate and Splash Park and Roller Kingdom. For those looking to liven up their personal style or home décor, Hudson’s downtown is home to several clothing and home goods boutiques with offerings from both local and international artisans. Although these local shops and boutiques add to the charm of Hudson, it is still home to many of the big-box stores that simply make life a little more convenient.
