Museums and Galleries
The South Shore region has a wonderful variety of fine museums & galleries.
6 listings
Duxbury, MA
Art Complex Museum
189 Alden Street 781-934-6634A Dynamic Blend of Art, Culture, and Nature
Situated on 13 acres, the Art Complex Museum houses the art collection of co-founders, Carl A. and Edith Weyerhaeuser.
Opened in 1971, the museum offers 10 shows each year, featuring the work of contemporary artists and thematic exhibits curated from the museum's collection. The collection features American paintings, Works on Paper, Asian Art, Shaker Furniture, and other treasures. (See artcomplex.org for a current schedule.)
The museum grounds are home to a sculpture garden and a Japanese Tea Hut. Other programming features Japanese Tea Ceremonies, concerts, galley talks, and educational offerings in our art studio.
Admission: Free
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park
33 William Street 508-996-4095Covering 13 city blocks, a Visitor Center and many other buildings in downtown New Bedford, this park, operated by the National Park Service, preserves the history of 19th-20th century whaling industry, which had its epicenter in this old seafaring town. The park also tells stories of global immigration, Underground Railroad, women’s history, cultural diversity, architecture, and art. Here, you can see scenes like the Seamen’s Bethel, places depicted in Herman Melville’s classic novel “Moby-Dick.”
Hours: April 1 to December 31, daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; January 1 to March 31, closed Mondays and Tuesdays
North Easton, MA
Children's Museum in Easton
The Old Fire Station, 9 Sullivan Avenue 508-230-3789Located in the historic Old Fire Station in North Easton, the Children's Museum of Easton offers hands-on experience to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Three floors of interactive exhibits and over 100 programs allow kids to explore the world around them. Primarily for children age 1 to 8.
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; closed most Mondays; call ahead for holidays or school vacation hours
Admission: $7.50 per person; children under 1 admitted for free.
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hill 508-997-0046The 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.
Hours: October-April, Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; May-September, daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; open holiday Mondays; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Admission: General, $14; seniors, $12; students, $9; children, $6.
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford Fire Museum
868 Pleasant Street - New Bedford 508-991-6124Restored fire trucks and interactive exhibits highlight this museum of firefighting, firefighters and their tools. Hours: Call ahead for visiting hours.
Hull, MA
Hull Lifesaving Museum
1117 Nantasket Avenue 617-925-5433Nineteenth-century Life Saving Station facing Boston Light; working rescue apparatus; exhibits, shipwreck lore, and kid's loft.
Hours: Year-round, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; July-October, also open weekends, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. ; Additional hours and guided tours available by appointment
Admission: Adults, $5; seniors, $3; children 18 and younger, free.