The Museum Collection
Worcester Historical Museum’s expansive and diverse Museum Collection reflects things made, used, and owned in Worcester. The Museum Collection relates to all aspects of Worcester’s political, social, and cultural history. Chronicling the development of a rural agrarian village into an urban industrial center, the Museum Collection ranges from the 17th century to the present. There are approximately 30,000 items ranging in size, from tiny lapel pins to oversized machinery, and in subject matter, from store signs and tools to quilts and ceramics.
Only a fraction of the collection is on display at any one time in the rotating and permanent galleries of Worcester Historical Museum.
Access to the Museum Collection and research requests are completed at the discretion of the curator. Access is available to researchers for scholarly purposes and to the descendants of donors. Requests must be made by directly contacting the Curator at least one month in advance. Requests should provide as much information as possible to the project and the reason for the request (e.g., museum research, loan request, family genealogy).
Those interested in discussing a potential donation to the Museum Collection should contact the Curator and visit the Donate to the Collections page. Questions regarding photographic reproduction of the Museum Collection should consult the Rights and Reproduction page.
