Massachusetts - Central

Clara Barton Birthplace Museum
68 Clara Barton Road
North Oxford, MA  01537
Phone: 508-987-5375

Open: June 1-Columbus Day weekend, Wednesday – Sunday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.. Call ahead for seasonal changes

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The first home of one of America's most famous women and the founder of the American Red Cross. Exhibits feature Barton's career and history, in addition to family memorabilia. Admission charge.

Fitchburg Art Museum
25 Merriam Parkway
Fitchburg, MA  01420
Phone: 978-345-4207
Fax: 978-345-2319

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This family-friendly museum is the areas oldest cultural institution, and the region's most important center for art study and appreciation. With 12 galleries, featuring American and European paintings, prints, sculpture and decorative arts, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Asian and Pre-Colombian antiquities this Museum hosts changing exhibitions in a 3-building complex. Tours, lectures, studio classes and private functions available. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 12-4pm.

Fruitlands Museums
102 Prospect Hill Road
Harvard, MA  01451
Phone: 508-456-3924

Open: May 13 through October 31, weekdays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; weekends and holidays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Set on the site of an 1843 social experiment by A.B. Alcott. Fruitlands was conceived as a 19th century utopia, but is now home to a museum exhibits focusing on the Shaker society, the region's native American population, in addition to Fruitlands itself. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.

National Plastics Center and Museum
210 Lancaster Street
Leominster, MA  01453
Phone: 508-537-9529

Open: Wednesday- Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Call for seasonal changes.

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Discover the science, history, and many uses of plastic. Included is the Plastics Hall of Fame Exhibit. There is an admission fee.

Old Sturbridge Village
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Off Rte 20
Sturbridge, MA  01566
Phone: 508-347-3362
Toll-Free: 800-SEE-1830

Old Sturbridge Village: The Story of a New Nation

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Step out of your world and into ours. Explore early New England in the company of farmers, craftsmen, and fascinating characters. Celebrate yesterday's proud traditions on your remarkable journey into America's past. Old Sturbridge Village offers a variety of ways to experience the artifacts, activities, and seasonal celebrations of rural New England during the first 50 years following the American Revolution (1790-1840). The centerpiece of the museum is a recreated rural New England town of the 1830s encompassing a center village, mills area, and countryside. Period handcrafts, heirloom gardens, and heritage breeds of farm animals are part of every village visit. Hands-on opportunities abound. The Visitor Center is home to our new History Gateway, including Kidstory an early learning gallery and Icons of New England exhibit, focusing on the history of what makes New England unique. Open year-round, daily except Mondays. Call ahead for holiday schedules.

Willard House and Clock Museum
11 Willard Street
Grafton, MA  01536
Phone: 508-839-3500

Open: April – December, Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; closed Monday and major holidays; January-March, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; closed Easter Sunday.

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Over 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. Admission fee.

Worcester Art Museum
55 Salisbury Street
Worcester, MA  01609
Phone: 508-799-4406
Fax: 508-798-5646

Open: Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; third Thursday of every month, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

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The Worcester Art Museum, founded “for the benefit of all the people,” is world-renowned for its 35,000-piece collection of paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, photography, prints, drawings and new media. The works span more than 50 centuries of creative spirit.
Stroll the many galleries and magnificent Renaissance Court to discover a diverse world of art and ideas. Explore mosaics unearthed from ancient Antioch. Step inside a medieval chapter house. Admire paintings by Baroque and Renaissance masters. Enjoy the delicate brushwork and rich imagery of Asian paintings. Relive American history in Colonial portraits and decorative arts. Experience the evolution of art movements such as Impressionism and Abstraction. Meet the emerging international artists of today.
Special tours, concerts, family days, lectures, workshops, classes, films and special events are organized throughout the year to accompany specific exhibitions and works of art in the collection. A complete day at the Worcester Art Museum will include visits to The Museum Shop and The Museum Café.

Worcester Historical Museum & Salisbury Mansion
30 Elm Street
Worcester, MA  01609
Phone: 508-753-8278

Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

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This museum focuses on the history of the city of Worcester. A library also is on the site. There is an admission fee.