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History & Heritage

Old Sturbridge Village demonstrates what living in an 1830s', community looked, felt and sounded like. Worcester Historical Museum & Salisbury Mansion, along with General Artemas Ward Home, offer glimpses into Colonial American life. And the American Antiquarian Society is a research library, founded in 1812 by printer Isaiah Thomas, where you can take a look at American life from the colonial era through Civil War and Reconstruction.

Without question, Central Massachusetts tells its story through its museums, restored historic homes and cultural centers.

Heritage Trails

When most think about heritage trails in the Bay State, the Freedom Trail in Boston usually comes to mind first. However, right here Central Massachusetts, you can enjoy Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. This heritage trail and park area is where America's Industrial Revolution began in 1790.

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Museums & Sites

The Willard House and Clock Museum, General Artemas Ward Home, Worcester Historical Museum and Higgins Armory Museum are just four of the many museums and sites that bring together centuries of American, and even international, history and heritage to Central Massachusetts.

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Featured Cities

Worcester:: The second-largest city in Massachusetts offers cultural attractions, fine dining and its very own minor league baseball team.
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Sturbridge:: With Old Sturbridge Village, Hyland Orchard and Brewery and many private and public campsites, there's a lot to see and do in this classic New England town.
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Princeton:: Situated along the south face of Wachusett Mountain, the quiet town of Princeton is the ideal place to visit for year-round outdoor activities.
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Featured Attractions

Fruitlands Museum: Take in the scenery here, and you might just think it's utopia — and you're not alone. Fruitlands recreates a short-lived 19th-century utopian settlement, and it's easy to see why they chose this site. Learn more>>
Worcester Art Museum: This hidden gem features contemporary and classic masterpieces in the vibrant city of Worcester. Learn more>>
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor: Running from Worcester, MA to Providence, RI, the Blackstone River Valley is a national park, where you can hike, take a canal boat ride, learn about the Industrial Revolution and simply enjoy nature. Learn more>>