This Worcester Historical Museum is the only institution devoted entirely to local history and artifacts. The scope of their collection ranges from colonial to twentieth-century, encompassing manuscripts, textiles, paintings, and ceramics.
In 1875, Samuel E. Staples, a successful grocer and bookkeeper, invited four history devotees to his home at 1 Lincoln Place in Worcester and “…proposed to form a Society for the purpose of increasing an interest in Archaeological Science, and to rescue from oblivion such historical matter as would otherwise be lost…” The Worcester Society of Antiquity was established.
By 1877 the Society was incorporated with 37 charter members. By the late 1880s, membership had grown to 160, the library boasted 18,000 titles, and they had assembled 3,000 as of yet unpublished pages of local history. With the addition of a large and important collection of books, manuscripts, broadsides, and maps from the library of Rev. George Allen, a reformer and political activist, the Society needed a larger home.
In October 1889, Stephen Salisbury III, founder of the Worcester Art Museum, donated the land at 39 Salisbury Street and $25,000 towards the construction of a new building. The Worcester Society of Antiquity’s new home was formally opened on June 28, 1892, and remained the museum’s home for the next 96 years.
In 1919, the members voted to change their name to the Worcester Historical Society.
In 1978, after another name change to Worcester Historical Museum, there was a major renovation to the building’s galleries, and a new emphasis on changing exhibitions. The museum’s mission, which had gradually become more focused, was now concentrated exclusively on Worcester history.
In February 1988, the museum moved to larger quarters at 30 Elm Street. The elegant brick building, originally built for the Worcester County Horticultural Society, provided considerably more storage, office, and gallery spaces to support a greater range of programs.
Today there is one permanent exhibit at the museum in the Fuller Gallery of Industrial History, entitled “In their shirt sleeves.” This collection covers the Industrial history of Worcester. Dealing with a time period spanning over a century, the collection highlights the accomplishment of Worcester locals and the impact their inventions had on the area and beyond. They also have three other exhibit areas that house temporary displays.
Worcester Historical Museum
30 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609
508-753-8278
http://www.worcesterhistory.org
After visiting the Historical Museum, please go end enjoy the WAM, Worcester Art Museum.
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