Wilmington Town Museum

11/01/2025

Cup
19th century
Sabra Carter Collection
2022.1028.001

Traditionally, this type of birch bark container was masterfully made by local indigenous artisans, such as the Massachusett people who originally inhabited this area.

This particular cup, however, has an attached paper that suggests this was owned by "T.J. Carter" and his sister between 1830 and 1840 for "berrying." T.J. likely refers to Timothy Jacques Carter (1817–1881), a seventh-generation descendant of Reverend Thomas Carter, the first minister in Woburn.

10/01/2025

It's officially spooky season! It's a perfect time to read some literary classics, especially in the dark romanticism genre.

Written by Salem native Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter explores sin, guilt, and redemption in Puritan New England, inspired by the events of the Salem witch trials.

In a Wilmington connection, Rev. Samuel Sewall—the only Salem witch trial judge to publicly apologize for his actions—sold plots of “The Land of Nod” (North Wilmington) to Samuel Dummer, Wilmington’s most presigious resident in the 1720s.

This particular copy of the book once belonged to Francis T. Hathaway, stepson of Maria Blanchard Brown. Maria was the granddaughter of Dr. Silas Brown of the Harnden Tavern.

Book
Boston, 1892
Gift of Larz Neilson
2007.0207.04

09/02/2025

On September 2, 1945, President Harry Truman officially announced Japan's surrender, marking the end of World War II.

As we mark the 80th anniversary of that historic day, we reflect on the symbols of service and sacrifice that filled communities across the country.

Victory flags like this were proudly displayed in the homes of families with sons or daughters serving in the war - a tradition that started during the first World War. Each star on the flag represented a loved one in uniform.

This particular flag belonged to Mrs. R. Whitney of Boston, who had one loved one who served. Although this particular one hails outside of Wilmington, many similar flags could be seen in the windows of homes right here in Town.

Flag
Boston, 1942
Donated by Fred Shine
2000.0503.021

08/04/2025

Calling All Wilmington Scouts – Past and Present!

We’re in the early planning stages of a special exhibit on the history of Scouting in Wilmington (both Girl Scouts and Scouting America), and we need your help to make it a success!

We’re looking for both research sources and historical items to tell the story of Wilmington Scouting through the years.

If you have any of the following (related to Wilmington), we’d love to hear from you:

- Scout Memorabilia (uniforms, patches, etc.)
- Scout Handbooks and documents (past and present)
- Scout Merit Badge Sashes or related items
- Items related to Camp Forty Acres
- Items or keepsakes from troop activities or events

Whether you’re interested in loaning items for the exhibit or making a permanent donation, please email our Curator at [email protected] with pictures and descriptions of what you have.

07/15/2025

Thank you to everyone who came to honor our WWII & Korean War veterans at our Frontlines & Front Yards event this past Saturday! It was a beautiful day with an excellent classic car show, guest speakers, reenactors, and special exhibits!

Special thanks to everyone who helped make this happen!

Photo Credits: Brion Humphrey Berghaus, July 12, 2025.

07/15/2025

07/09/2025

3 MORE DAYS!

We hope to see you there!

Frontlines & Front Yards
Saturday, July 12th
12 - 4pm
Wilmington Town Museum
430 Salem St

Enjoy a classic car show, special exhibitions, WWII reenactors, interactive demonstration stations, refreshments, a WWII-era plane flyover and so much more!

07/06/2025

We're open today! Come by for our Open House from 2-4pm.

07/01/2025

Once towering over Aldrich Road, stood a local landmark known as the Jaquith Hemlock Tree (aka) the Great Hemlock. It grew on land once owned by the Jaquith family, one of Wilmington’s earliest settlers.

Local lore stories claimed it was the largest and oldest hemlock tree in all of New England. Both locals and tourists alike marveled at its unique shape, massive trunk, and wide-reaching branches, calling it one of Wilmington’s most remarkable natural features.

By September 1953, the legendary tree was deemed a safety hazard due to severe internal rot. While the decision to cut it down was practical, it marked the loss of a living connection to Wilmington’s earliest days.

The Jaquith Hemlock continues today as a remarkable landmark of Wilmington history.

Photograph
Wilmington, late 19th century
Gift of Stephen Jeffrey
2020.0112.072

06/22/2025

The Wilmington Town Museum will be closed on Monday, June 23rd and Tuesday, June 24th.

We will be open the following Monday and Tuesday, and our monthly Open House on Sunday, July 6th from 2-4pm.

06/10/2025

Due to weather, the Frontlines & Front Yards event that was scheduled for this Saturday at the Museum has been postponed. The new date will be announced soon.