Extremely helpful staff and loads of interactive exhibits alongside their staff led tours. The…read moremuseum was well laid out and had good amenities aswell as it was kept very clean. Lots of great information and history, I would certainly recommend to anyone interested in Lowell's history. The only suggestion I would make it perhaps arrows guiding towards the next exhibit but the layout is relatively easy to manage. The atmosphere was also very comfortable thanks to the kind workers. The interior is likely very accessible to wheelchairs but the approach from the parking lot could be difficult.

I recently visited the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, and it was a memorable experience. Upon entering,…read moreI was greeted and assisted with everything I needed. The staff were courteous, incredibly willing to help, and understanding of what I wanted to gain from the experience. I enjoyed seeing the array of textile machines and understanding the intricacies of their designs. I also appreciated the background historical information of the girls that worked there and their conditions. Though the museum is quaint, it holds a surprising amount of knowledge, history, and insight. I would 100% recommend visiting the museum if in the area or interested in the period of history.

Seasonal Musuem…read more This year, the Old Ordinary was open from June 12th through September 1, (2007), Tuesday through Saturday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission: adults, $3; children, $1. After Labor Day, the museum will be open by appointment. Really excellent value if you love New England History. Eleanor Roosevelt called Hingham's thoroughfare "the most beautiful Main Street in America." It has a mile or so of wide, tree-lined Main Street with homes that get progressively older as you get closer to the center of town. The Old Ordinary is a wonderful place to visit. It only costs $3.00 and there's are a variety of well-informed tour guides to walk you through the house and explain the rich history of Hingham. You can see house construction, fabric, furniture, toys, tools, clothing, advances in fireplaces, etc. progress as you travel through the rooms. Awesome state of the art kitchen and woodwoodworkshop. There was a quilt and embroidery exhibit when I went through, with examples on loan from the Old Derby school (down the street), one of the first coeducational schools in America, including an example of a rare and beautiful blue and white double anchor patterned quilt. Girls had to do a sampler to graduate, and boys had to make a wooden toy/piece of furniture. You will find a small tavern that qualified the house as an "ordinary" where Daniel Webster is reported to have stopped by for refreshment and conversation on his way through town on occasion. I was struck by how small the space was and that the revolution surely ignited in little places such as that. There are many artifacts including a 1722 Bonner map of Boston, a grandfather clock made by Hinghamite, Joshua Wilder, and Lincoln memorobilia as it is thought (hoped?) Abraham Lincoln may be descended from the Lincolns of Hingham. I believe I read somewhere that Abe never knew his ancestry, though. Nevertheless, there is a statue of him erected just outside the Old Ordinary on the green. Very good day trip.

This wonderful house museum was built in 1688 and expanded twice, all before the Revolutionary War…read more Tours last about an hour, but could last so much longer, there is so much to learn from the knowledgeable guides. They talk about the architecture, the owners, the furnishings, and what it was like in the 17th to 19th centuries in this historic town. Make sure you hear the pirate story! The museum is open seasonally, so make sure to check the website of the Hingham Historical Society or call in advance if you want to be sure. The museum also closes on very hot days. There is a nominal entrance fee if you are not a member.

The Waltham Museum is such a gem tucked away in a historic neighborhood. My entrance was free as I…read morewas enrolled in a watchmaking class held by the New York horological society. You can tell that the museum organizers really care to make this area a family, friendly experience. There is naturally a lot of history and museum artifacts surrounding the Waltham watch company, which made amazing pocket watches in the 19th and 20th century. Definitely recommend this museum if you're in the area.

If enthusiasm counts for anything, this museum is tops! The docent was helpful and loved the…read moremuseum. She had so much to share. Her voice was full of love for Waltham. She moved there at a young age, so she has the personal touch. The Museum itself is overflowing with information from the Native American days to almost current events. Waltham has contributed so many inventions - did you know chalk sticks were created in Waltham? Or a ten-seat bicycle was built there by the Metz Car Co. (also from Waltham that sold car kits that the customer put together himself). So many more unique bits of knowledge await the curious, the proud Waltham citizen or the amateur history buff. Maybe you are all three? Go and enjoy yourself!

This is one my favorite local museum tours! Highly recommend doing the 3 house tour to see original…read moreitems from the 1600-1700s. My tour guide Judy, a retired teacher, was incredibly knowledgeable. We were able to see how older kitchen and household "appliances" worked. The Heard House is the main house, with an interesting family history. One of the sons was a trader who brought back beautiful items from East Asia. The house also happened to be hosting a special art exhibit for a well-renowned painter from Ipswich when I went. We spent a little over 2 hours here doing the full 3 house tour, but you can probably do the main Heard House in less than an hour. The 1 house tour is $10 per person and 3 house tour is $15. I'm glad we chose the 3 house tour. I would recommend any visitors to Ipswich come learn about the early history from before there was a state of Massachusetts.

" History is Awesome "…read more Boston MA as we know has so much history . However Newton MA a suburb a bit outside of Boston MA has it too . Check this place out in Newton ma that has ties to the Underground Railroad. Just a great history of anti slavery . Parking is outside in a small lot or on street so no worries . Small fee charge to maintain the up keep.

What a beautiful way to spend a couple of hours. This is an early Georgian style farmhouse in a…read moresalt box shape, 1600's authentic home. The rooms are set up as if the family was living there. My favorites are the hand stenciled floor, the hearth and the beautiful balusters on the main staircase, all hand turned. The two women at the front desk today were really nice and answered some questions I had about the furniture. What was fun for me? Was filling out a postcard that would go to another visitor of this historical house. And I would receive one from someone I did not know that visited. It's a small donation of four dollars and it really made , the visit fun. Other things I liked about the house with the grounds. There's a neat grinding stone on the property outback, that you would miss unless you really looked for it with the tag. It's an early Native American grinding stone. Also, the flowers were in bloom, peonies, roses, salvia . Perennials in an herb garden. I like that the fruit trees are on the property as well. If someone I knew wanted a venue for a party or a wedding, I would ask them to consider this property. All in all a lovely place to be in the city.

I have a life long love of museums...large, small, houses, animals, gems, history, science...they…read moreoffer something for everyone. I've seem plenty of small, 'home grown' museums in my life. More often than not, they are founded and maintained by a passionate group allied around a particular interest. Managed on a shoe string budget with lots of volunteers, they cater to a select group but desire to share their love of a subject or event to the world. The Middlesex Canal Museum is one of these establishments. This transportation corridor played an important role in early 19th century Massachusetts. Today, it has virtually disappeared from the landscape. Other than a sign at the Treble Cove Rd. exit on Highway 3, I doubt many even know this Merrimack to Boston canal ever existed. Unfortunately, the museum does little to connect the canal's history and relevancy to the casual viewer. The rooms that make up the museum are a mish-mosh of photos. laminated graphics, maps, text, and other bits. Its such a random assortment that the casual viewer is unlikely to get anything out of a visit. Still, the docents are passionate about the canal's history and do a better job informing a visitor about the canal's significance than any of the stuff on the walls. The mill complex that houses the museum is a nice piece of architecture and sits in a bucolic location along the Concord River. It's also a short walk to the North Billerica commuter rail stop. If you, too, love small, specialized museums, this is the place for you.

I'm not sure how David can say, "If you, too, love small, specialized museums, this is the place…read morefor you," but give it only two stars. This place is great, and I'll second the passion and enthusiasm of the volunteer docents. Russ was on hand for us yesterday, and he was an agreeable guide for us through the exhibits, which are lovingly assembled and curated. I have often wondered about the Middlesex Canal (living not far from its path in Medford), and this museum does a great job of explaining more about it, its route, how it came to be, and its eventual demise.

This is a very cool place right in the middle of Newton, there is so much history that all of us…read moreare walking/driving by every day! There is a also a great little gift shop area when you walk in, they have nice books, beautiful note cards, etc that would all make a great gift when you want something that someone won't already have (or keep it for yourself!). I was at the museum and purchased a couple of these "Votes for Women" buttons after seeing the exhibit of the Newton Suffragists.

What an impressive historical site. This family's home was crucial to the Underground Railroad. It…read morewas pretty fascinating to see how this historical site really believed in abolishing slavery to help those two go into freedom. I didn't realize how important this site is to history but it was really nice to see letters and photographs of that time and about Newton area that nobody really thinks about. It was pretty cool to see all the old fashioned toys and clothes of the time. There is a lot of literature posted on the exhibitions. I really recommend going here.

Both John Hancock and Samuel Adams, leaders of the colonials, were staying in the house before the…read morebattle of Lexington. This is one stop that Paul Revere and William Dawes made during their nighttime ride to warn everyone that the British were coming. Did you know William had a longer route and finished first? Yet we remember Paul. How about that?

my brother and I visited Lexington, and enjoyed an amazing day of learning. We ended our tour at…read morethe Hancock Clark , and I'm glad we did. Even when we arrived close to the end of the day, our curator Carol still took us through the and treated us with such professionalism. Thank you, Lexington Historical Society for all that you do.