Museum of Worcester

Museum of Worcester Museum of Worcester is the only institution devoted to history of the city of Worcester. MoW features both permanent installations and changing exhibits.
(219)

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.

Join the Criers for a special evening of music at the Museum of Worcester honoring the College of the Holy Cross Class o...
06/01/2026

Join the Criers for a special evening of music at the Museum of Worcester honoring the College of the Holy Cross Class of 1956 and generously sponsored by Neil Prior. Spanning centuries and styles, the program journeys from the vivid theatricality of Heinrich Ignaz Biber’s Battalia — complete with drunken songs, marching rhythms, and the chaos of battle — to the luminous introspection of Osvaldo Golijov’s Tenebrae and the soulful lyricism of Valerie Coleman’s Tracing Visions. The evening concludes with Josef Suk’s beloved Serenade for Strings, a youthful masterpiece overflowing with warmth, elegance, and joy. Together, these works explore memory, humanity, conflict, reflection, and celebration through the rich, expressive voice of the string orchestra.

Please Note: Your RSVP is required for this free event. Space is limited with only 50 seats available.

Register Here: https://www.afarcry.org/all-concerts/worcester-museum

MUSICAL PROGRAM
Heinrich Ignaz Biber (1644-1704) Battalia à 10 (1673)
Valerie Coleman (b. 1970), Tracing Visions (2022, rev. 2023); I. Till
Osvaldo Golijov (b. 1960), Tenebrae (2002) arranged for string orchestra by AFC in 2010
Josef Suk (1874-1935), Serenade in E-flat major, Op. 6 (1892)

Before he was in the West Point graduation class of 1917, he attended Worcester Academy for three years. At Worcester Ac...
06/01/2026

Before he was in the West Point graduation class of 1917, he attended Worcester Academy for three years. At Worcester Academy, he was on the football team, a sport he would continue at West Point along with classmates Omar Bradley and Dwight Eisenhower. During the difficult landing on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, he personally led the landing and subsequent breakout trough German lines. Who was he?

The answer to Friday’s “what is it?” was used to make sausage. The animal intestines fit over the narrow end (nozzle). T...
06/01/2026

The answer to Friday’s “what is it?” was used to make sausage. The animal intestines fit over the narrow end (nozzle). The ground meat is pushed through the metal container using the wooden “masher.” The Museum of Worcester has many objects with stories to match that give us an idea of daily life in Worcester’s past.

Worcester’s history as a center for producing goods for the outside world began in a very small way as early as the 1760...
05/31/2026

Worcester’s history as a center for producing goods for the outside world began in a very small way as early as the 1760s. What was the product? Potash Fertilizer. Potash was one of the few products from the colonies that could be transported to and sold in Britain.

Potash manufacture required access to wood, and plenty of it, a condition easily met in 18th century Massachusetts. Washburn’s history of Industrial Worcester describes the process: “The process of manufacture was simple and consisted in treating wood-ashes with water until the potash contained in them was exhausted, and from the lye thus made a salt was obtained by evaporation. The woods chiefly employed in making potash were hickory, oak, beech, birch, elm, walnut, chestnut and maple. Woods like evergreen, or that abound in turpentine, were avoided.”

John Nazro began the manufacture of potash fertilizer in Worcester in 1760 on a lot near today’s Lincoln Street. Shortly thereafter there were four more potash manufacturing enterprises. Pleasant Street was known at one time as Potash Hill.

Worcester’s Rural Cemetery, located on Grove Street, was not a burial ground during the Revolution but became the final ...
05/30/2026

Worcester’s Rural Cemetery, located on Grove Street, was not a burial ground during the Revolution but became the final resting place for many who either participated in or observed the events of 1774 and after. Much of the land had originally been owned by Judge Timothy Paine, who had lived on what is now Lincoln Street, in his mansion, now known as The Oaks. In 1838, the land was donated for a new private cemetery. Today, the cemetery contains more than 13,000 burials, including Isaiah Thomas, whose remains were moved from the old burial ground on Mechanic Street; Patriot leader Levi Lincoln, and merchant Stephen Salisbury.

REV250: HOME EDITION Celebrate REV250 and the period leading up to the Revolutionary War at Salisbury Mansion. This inte...
05/29/2026

REV250: HOME EDITION

Celebrate REV250 and the period leading up to the Revolutionary War at Salisbury Mansion. This interesting and informative tour highlights how both the Salisbury family and Worcester were directly involved in this momentous time in our history. This tour is designed for all those interested in local history, US history, and everything Revolutionary!

COST: $15 Non-Members; MOW Members: FREE. Tour is limited to 16. Reservations are required.

Location: Salisbury Mansion, 40 Highland St, Worcester

Date and time: Friday, June 12, 2026; 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Everyone knows that preparing food is a time-intensive task although nowhere near as time-consuming today as it was in e...
05/29/2026

Everyone knows that preparing food is a time-intensive task although nowhere near as time-consuming today as it was in earlier times. This week’s “what is it?” focuses on these instruments used to make a common dish. What are they?

The place in Worcester where everyone went to eat and hang out? It was Speedy’s, located at 224 Shrewsbury Street. One ...
05/29/2026

The place in Worcester where everyone went to eat and hang out? It was Speedy’s, located at 224 Shrewsbury Street.

One feature, aside from the great food, was how you placed your order. Driving into the lot, you parked your car next to a small speaker. Your order was brought out to you. Speedy’s was one of the first drive-ins to use that technology. A switchboard was the heart of Speedy’s communications system; it is currently in Collections at Museum of Worcester. The accompanying documentation is also held at the Museum.

What are your memories of going to Speedy’s?

Our members are the cherry on top! To show our appreciation and kick off summer, we invite you to join us for ice cream ...
05/28/2026

Our members are the cherry on top! To show our appreciation and kick off summer, we invite you to join us for ice cream on the lawn of Salisbury Mansion on June 10 at 5:30 pm. Meet new Executive Director Eric Butler, talk with staff about upcoming programs and events and mingle with other members. Ice cream provided by The Broadway Restaurant.

This program is FREE for MOW Members. Registration is required,

Register: https://www.worcesterhistory.org/events/museum-members-ice-cream-social
Become a Member: https://www.worcesterhistory.org/membership

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