Past

Together we share the stories that are Worcester. What object tells your story? Worcester Historical Museum invites you to help celebrate Worcester’s collective past in an exhibit of objects whose stories define our city. CELEBRATING the 140th anniversary of WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM OCT 27, 2016 – APR 22, 2017 A panel of community volunteers will select the 5O final objects to be displayed at the museum. The exhibition will include objects, or, in certain cases where the object is too large or unmovable, perhaps a photograph or some other representation of the object. If your object’s description is chosen, your photograph

Now on Exhibit through November 16, 2019

Exhibition Now on Exhibit through November 16, 2019 This exciting exhibit includes the collection of oral histories, the creation of an LGBTQ+ archive, and educational programming to complement an exhibit on Gay Worcester. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of New York’s Stonewall Uprising and the advent of the modern gay liberation movement, the project will bring together the scattered documentation of Worcester County’s LGBTQ+ experience in partnership with College of the Holy Cross, Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Digital Worcester. The exhibition and programming will run from April-October 2019 at WHM. Exciting Support of WHM’s Unique Exhibition and Programs Thanks

November 22, 2016 - December 24, 2016

In 1984 local photographer Stephen DiRado began documenting the daily life of the Worcester Galleria.

Discover Worcester at 30 Elm Street and Salisbury Mansion for all the Free Fun Fridays in 2017.

The history of visiting nurses in Worcester is one of caring. The idea of hiring a single professional visiting nurse to serve the city of Worcester originated 1892 from Dr. Homer Gage, a surgeon at Memorial Hospital. Through several name changes and growth over the decades, VNA Care became what it is today through the charitable support of the community and leadership focused on transforming care to improve lives. “VNA125: A History of Caring” celebrates 125 years of service to Worcester. This exhibit highlights VNA Care’s archives with photos, uniforms and medical instruments from their many years of service. The

October 8, 2019

WHM Rockwell Gallery See drawings from Worcester native, Jarrett Krosoczka’s new memoir, Hey, Kiddo alongside the historic images from the WHM collection. This new book tells the story of Jarrett’s life growing up in Worcester, a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive. Jarrett visited WHM to see historic images of Coney Island, Gates Lane School and Main Street to use as inspiration. Hey, Kiddo is a young adult book geared towards readers 12 and up.

November 28, 2018

This temporary exhibit opening on November 28, 2018, will focus on the eastern European Jewish immigrant in Worcester between 1880 and 1945 and illuminates the centrality of Water Street to local Jewish life during that period. Because much of the Jewish experience is typical of all immigrant groups, Water Street speaks to everyone. » Download the Water Street exhibit flyer

April 21, 2018 – August 25, 2018

The exhibit highlights quilts from the collection as well as loaned pieces that show a new direction for quilting in the age of technology.

June 16, 2016 - September 3, 2016

A collection is at the heart of any museum. But its soul is the stories those objects tell about us, the people who used or made them, or the people who gave them to the museum to become part of community memory. For 140 years WHM has had the unique responsibility of collecting the stories that make us Worcester. To celebrate the 140 years we have chosen “Some Favorite Things” from the thousands of objects, documents and photographs in WHM’s ever-growing collection.

Food. It’s our bread and butter. Our common need. We need food to survive.  Fast, organic, processed, gourmet, convenient, ethnic, or local – food is a given. Food surrounds us – at home, work, on our television sets…everywhere! What has Worcester’s food history been like? What role has food and drink played in our habits both locally and nationally? We hope you brought your appetite because we are about to show you. Bon Appetit!