Set in an urban oasis of woodlands and wetlands, EcoTarium is a unique indoor-outdoor museum that allows adults and children to discover firsthand the wonders of the natural world. Three floors of interactive environmental science exhibits, wildlife habitats, extensive grounds, and digital planetarium explore the earth, sea, and sky. Meet live animals, stroll interpretive trails, ride the train, or walk among the treetops 40 feet above ground in the Tree Canopy Walkway. Seasonal outdoor café and Museum Store located on-site. Three levels of exhibit floors are also available for meetings and special events after 5pm for up to 250 guests. EcoTarium offers a year-round calendar of events and exhibits. Jazz at Sunset summer outdoor concert series, June-July. Parking is free. Expansion plans will add a new floor and a weather station!
Museums & Galleries
Museums and galleries are a living historical display. Visiting a Central Massachusetts museum and/or gallery is an inexpensive way to experience our past, and view the culture of local and world renowned artists. Museums and galleries are scattered throughout the Central Mass region, which translates into a short drive no matter your locale. Take the opportunity to probe our history by visiting a museum, or support our local artists by stopping by a gallery.
Immerse yourself in the tradition, history, and art of a New England treasure. Scenic Fruitlands offers four intimate galleries, a charming restaurant, and Museum Store. Set on 200 pastoral acres, our singular collections, trails, and colorful vistas stir the imagination. Welcome to a place of surprising stories about the Alcotts, native peoples, Shakers, utopians, Hudson River artists, and more. Linger over lunch, browse our store, and meet New England people as extraordinary as our views!
Visit the Higgins Armory Museum and learn how knights got dressed in the morning - you may even get "suited up" yourself! The Museum brings the world of knights to life through a variety of programs including inspiring and educational Field Trips, unique Group Tours, Birthday Parties, Rentals, Outreaches, and OverKnights. Wander beneath Gothic arches, listen to the sounds of contest and celebration, and stand face to face with over 70 suits of armor - the heroic legacies of another world and time.
The Museum of Russian Icons was founded in 2006 as a non-profit educational institution by Massachusetts industrialist, Gordon B. Lankton. The collection includes more than 400 Russian icons, the largest collection of its kind in North America, and one of the largest private collections outside Russia. The collection spans six centuries, and includes important historical paintings dating from the earliest periods of icon “writing” to the present.
Old Sturbridge Village is a "must-see" destination to experience early New England life from 1790-1840. One of the country's largest living history museums, OSV has a large staff of costumed interpreters, 59 historic buildings on 200 acres.
Weddings:
At Old Sturbridge Village, they’ve been planning your wedding for 175 years. Hold your ceremony in their 1830s Center Meetinghouse, with your wedding music played on the antique organ and the soft glow of candles in the chandelier. There is no shortage of picturesque backdrops for your photos, including the Salem Towne House Garden and the horse-drawn carriage. Continue with an on-site reception at Bullard Tavern or Oliver Wight Tavern featuring outstanding menus and service.
Learning Center:
Step out of the classroom and into the 19th century. Old Sturbridge Village has many programs to engage students and make history meaningful. Tour their working 1830s community and participate in hands-on activities. Online teacher resources help connect your OSV experience to the curriculum. If you can’t visit them, they’ll come to you with History on the Road. Programs are also available for home school students and scouts.
A living museum of plants, featuring a 3,000 square-foot Orangerie [greenhouse] filled with flowering subtropical plants, citrus and palm trees, seasonal displays, and special events. Distinctive gardens showcasing more than 350 varieties of trees and shrubs in the Lawn Garden alone, along with evergreens and fruiting plants, woodland trails, meadows, gift shop, library, café. Dozens of educational and artistic programs for adults and youths, some eligible for college credit. Open Tues-Sun, 10am-5pm and holiday Mondays. Twigs Cafe serves lunch 11am-3pm. Library is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10am-4pm. Guided Tour every Sunday at 2pm. Horticultural Hotline operates on Wednesday afternoons from 2-4pm for gardening questions. Call the telephone number or sign on to the website for details and directions; group rates available.
Vaillancourt Folk Art of Sutton is one of the country's leading producers of collectible chalkware figurines. Vaillancourt artists hand-paint figurines for every major holiday, including Valentine's Day, Easter, and Halloween, as well as their famous collectibles, Father Christmas. Studio tours are available. Visit our gallery and recently opened Christmas Museum.
Learn about the history of Worcester through exhibitions, education programs and special events presented throughout the year. Visit Worcester Historical Museum to see hundreds of objects made in Worcester. Listen to the stories of industrial leaders, inventors, and workers. Discover Worcester's common heritage through hands-on activities. Explore the contributions of ethnic groups and individuals through changing exhibitions and special programs. Find out what Worcester was like in centuries past in the library's reading room. The library is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 10am-4pm; Thursday, 10am-8:30pm.
