Museums and Galleries
Central Massachusetts has a wonderful variety of fine museums & galleries.
5 listings
Worcester, MA
Featured listing: Worcester Art Museum
55 Salisbury Street 508-799-4406Travel across time and space through art
Connect with global stories at the Worcester Art Museum. Discover ancient mosaics, medieval arms and armor, contemporary paintings and sculptures, and much more in the Museum’s wide-ranging collection and exhibitions. Meet your new favorite artist, ask questions, or enjoy an escape. There are endless ways to experience the Worcester Art Museum.
Looking to dive deeper? Develop your own skills and expand your creativity in studio art classes. Find creative and hands-on activities for all ages across the Museum’s many galleries. And relax in the courtyard or enjoy lunch at the café surrounded by art.
Free admission for Members, children 17 and under, and students at participating College Partner schools.
Sturbridge, MA
Old Sturbridge Village
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, off Route 20 508-347-3362Making a museum come alive is the goal at this lovingly re-created New England village
At Old Sturbridge Village, the idea is to make history, and a 200-acre museum in Sturbridge, MA, come alive. As you stroll through heirloom gardens, admire textiles being made on a loom or a barrel being crafted by a cooper in his shop, you’ll be transported back to a typical rural New England village of the 1830s. Costumed historians will be happy to answer questions or demonstrate crafts as you explore everything from the 1810 general store to the Greek-Revival bank to the functioning gristmill, cider mill and sawmill. Check the website for special exhibits and daily activities, including guided tours, musical performances and talks on everything from dentistry to the life of a peddler. At the Freeman Farm, kids especially will enjoy getting to know sheep, cows, pigs and chickens.
Worcester, MA
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery
College of the Holy Cross - 1 College Street 508-793-3356The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery promotes the intellectual and cultural life of the College of the Holy Cross and greater community by exploring the fundamental intellectual, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic issues encountered through the visual arts.
Throughout the academic year the gallery presents a series of exhibitions, which vary from historically significant themes to works by contemporary artists. Serving as a center for social activity, the gallery sponsors a lively schedule of receptions, guest lectures, readings, and students’ presentations. The Cantor Gallery is Free and open to the public. Current exhibition information and hours of operation can be found on the gallery’s website.
Grafton, MA
Willard House and Clock Museum
11 Willard Street 508-839-3500Over 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.
Hours: April-December, Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; Winter Hours, January-March, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $7; seniors, $6; students ages 13 and older, $6; children ages 6-12, $3.
Fitchburg, MA
Fitchburg Art Museum
185 Elm Street 978-345-4207Discover the world’s art treasures right nearby
With over 20,000 square feet of exhibitions, the Fitchburg Art Museum features works from historical collections and loaned exhibitions on regional contemporary art. The permanent exhibitions include 19th-century American art, American photography, African, Greek, and Roman art, and one of the best exhibits on ancient Egypt in New England. Founded in 1925 through the bequest of artist, collector and Fitchburg native Eleanor Norcross, the museum is a showcase of her vision as a pioneer in American social history. Discover masterpieces in 12 beautifully designed galleries. And on the first Thursday of the month from November to March, shop the Fitchburg Farmers’ Market on site.