Museum of Worcester

Call Directions Website Contact the museum

Museum of Worcester Museum of Worcester is the only institution devoted to history of the city of Worcester. Link to events here: https://www.worcesterhistory.org/events
(218)

Founded in 1875, Museum of Worcester is the only organization solely dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Worcester’s unique and diverse history from all time periods and subject areas. The holdings of MoW encompass thousands of documents and artifacts vital to the study of Worcester history. Worcester’s history is interpreted through a calendar of exhibitions, educational programming, tours, and publications. MoW features both permanent installations and changing exhibits.

We continue on with our tour of Worcester’s seven hills. This week, we feature Sagatabscot Hill which is also known as G...
10/24/2026

We continue on with our tour of Worcester’s seven hills. This week, we feature Sagatabscot Hill which is also known as Grafton or Union Hill. Sagatabscot was where some of the earliest settlers set up their houses. It came under attack in the early 18th century with at least one settler (Diggery Sergeant) killed. In 1849, it became the site of Worcester Medical College. During the Civil War, it was an Army hospital. Dedicated and opened in 1864, up to 600 wounded soldiers were cared for there. After the Civil War, the College/Hospital Buildings were occupied by Worcester Academy.

Earlier this month, our staff was out and about exploring other historic homes. In early October, Eric visited the Clara...
10/23/2026

Earlier this month, our staff was out and about exploring other historic homes. In early October, Eric visited the Clara Barton Birthdplace Museum in Oxford, MA. Born December 25, 1821, in North Oxford, Massachusetts, Clara Barton was the fifth child of Stephen and Sarah Barton. After an early career in teaching, Clara moved to Washington, D.C., and worked at the U.S. Patent Office. She was one of the first women to work for the federal government. Guided by an intense devotion to helping others, she forged a bold path of service to help those in need. As founder of the American Red Cross, Clara is considered a visionary whose humanitarian spirit helped change the world.

On a crisp October morning in 1850, dozens of women sit in stiff folding chairs. In Worcester’s Brinley Hall, over 1,000...
10/23/2026

On a crisp October morning in 1850, dozens of women sit in stiff folding chairs. In Worcester’s Brinley Hall, over 1,000 delegates wait in anticipation of the First National Women’s Rights Convention. With the building filled to capacity, Worcester’s own Sarah H. Earle called to order this historic first with a rousing speech on the 23rd.

The issues that required a “just settlement”, according to Earle, were as follows: education, professions, interests, and rights. The delegates spent two days in Brinley Hall advocating for the rights of women as a class of people, who were denied proper wages, schooling, and the right to vote. The media attention
helped bring the issues of women’s rights to an audience across the United States.

Brinley Hall, ca. 1880s; collection of Worcester Historical Museum.

What was the Dale Hospital? When was it open? What segment of the population did it serve?
10/23/2026

What was the Dale Hospital? When was it open? What segment of the population did it serve?

Our Worcester mystery personality this week is Alisan Porter. Porter, who is best known as a singer and actress, was bor...
10/23/2026

Our Worcester mystery personality this week is Alisan Porter. Porter, who is best known as a singer and actress, was born in Worcester in 1981. She entered show business at an early age; at five years she won the Star Search competition, the youngest to ever win. She appeared in several television programs (including Pee-wee’s Playhouse. In 1991, she appeared in the movie, Curly Sue, as well as several Broadway shows. In 2016, she was the Season 10 winner of The Voice.

We can’t wait to see you at The El! Join us at the Museum of Worcester as we re-create the beloved El Morocco with a spe...
10/22/2026

We can’t wait to see you at The El! Join us at the Museum of Worcester as we re-create the beloved El Morocco with a spectacular night filled with a multi-course dinner prepared by one of The El's cooks, music, and nostalgia.

Our multi-course dinner will feature homemade hummus, baba ghanoush, labneh, grape leaves, the famous El Salad, a mixed grill (chicken, beef, and kofta) plate with rice and baklava.

Admission to our Museum and Arab Massachusetts exhibit is also included with the dinner experience.

Entertainment Schedule:
November 5: Belly Dancing by Raquel
November 6: American Jazz Night with Worcester Jazz Collective
November 7: Arabic Music Night by Mitchell Kaltsunas

Our mystery personality this week is an entertainer who has appeared on television, in the movies, on Broadway, and with...
10/22/2026

Our mystery personality this week is an entertainer who has appeared on television, in the movies, on Broadway, and with her own bands. She appeared as a contestant on both Star Search and The Voice. She also appeared on Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Who is she?

The 1860s granite building we asked you to identify? It is Babcock Block, located at 596 Main Street. Five stories tall,...
10/22/2026

The 1860s granite building we asked you to identify? It is Babcock Block, located at 596 Main Street. Five stories tall, its construction is unique in that the facade facing Main Street is constructed of granite blocks. Those blocks serve as a weight bearing function and are not simply placed for ornamentation. The side of the building facing Austin Street is of brick construction with many star and tie rod supports. Babcock Block was placed on the National Register in 1980.

One other note: in the ast we have mentioned buildings in Worcester that were moved, a regular occurrence in the city. Chester Babcock, the first owner, made his fortune by moving buildings from one location to another in the city.

Thank you to the nurses from City, Hahnemann, Memorial, and St. Vincent’s who participated in our Discovery Day on Satur...
10/21/2026

Thank you to the nurses from City, Hahnemann, Memorial, and St. Vincent’s who participated in our Discovery Day on Saturday. From caps to capes to uniforms and photographs, thank you for helping build our collection!

This week’s historic site is located on Main Street and dates from the 1860s. With a granite face facing Main Street, ra...
10/21/2026

This week’s historic site is located on Main Street and dates from the 1860s. With a granite face facing Main Street, rather than brick construction, this building is a rarity. Where is it?

Address

30 Elm Street
Worcester, MA
01609

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(508) 753-8278

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Museum of Worcester posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Museum of Worcester:

Shortcuts

Share

Category