All open air museums to visit in Massachusetts

Experience history come to life at open-air museums in Massachusetts. These museums feature historical buildings, reenactments, and interactive exhibits in an outdoor setting.

Are you interested in experiencing history firsthand? These are the best open air museums in Massachusetts:

  1. Plimoth Patuxet1

    Plimoth Patuxet

     Plymouth, MA
    Plimoth Patuxet, formerly known as Plimoth Plantation, is a complex of living history museums located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Founded in 1947, the museum complex aims to replicate the original settlement of the Plymouth Colony established in the 17th century by English colonists, also known as the Pilgrims. The museum complex provides a unique opportunity for visitors to step back in time and experience the life and culture of the Pilgrims and the Patuxet people, upon whose land the Pilgrims settled.
  2. Historic Deerfield2

    Historic Deerfield

     Deerfield, MA
    The Old Deerfield Historic District, also known as Historic Deerfield, Deerfield Village, or Pocumtuck, is the historic core of Deerfield, Massachusetts in the United States. Today, it serves as an open-air museum, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the history of the area. The district spans a 1.6 km area along the road known as 'The Street', which has been a National Historic Landmark since 1960 and has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1966.
  3. Lynn Heritage State Park3

    Lynn Heritage State Park

     Lynn, MA
    The Lynn Heritage State Park is a unique blend of a state park and a history museum, located in the heart of Lynn, Massachusetts. It offers visitors a chance to explore the rich history of the city and its industrial past. The park is easily accessible and provides a unique opportunity to learn about the city's history in a natural setting.
  4. Hancock Shaker Village4

    Hancock Shaker Village

     Hancock, MA
    Hancock Shaker Village, located in the city areas of Hancock and Pittsfield in Massachusetts, is a former 400-hectare Shaker settlement from the 18th century. Today, it is operated as an open-air museum by a non-profit organization. This historic site offers visitors a glimpse into the life and culture of the Shaker community.
  5. Salem Pioneer Village5

    Salem Pioneer Village

     Salem, MA
    Pioneer Village, also known as Salem 1630: Pioneer Village, is a unique living history museum that recreates the city of Salem as it was in the 17th century. It holds the distinction of being the first museum of its kind in the United States, having opened its doors to the public in June 1930. The village was designed to provide visitors with an immersive experience of the lives of early English settlers, rather than just reading about them in books.
  6. Waters Farm Preservation Inc6

    Waters Farm Preservation Inc

     Sutton, MA
    Waters Farm, located at 53 Waters Road in Sutton, Massachusetts, is a historic farm and homestead. It was built in the Georgian style by Stephen Waters in 1757. This historic site offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the architectural style of the period and the rich history of the area.
  7. Turn Park Art Space7

    Turn Park Art Space

     West Stockbridge, MA
    Turn Park Art Space is a unique combination of an open-air museum, sculpture park, and performance space. It is situated in the scenic town of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. This location offers a unique blend of art, nature, and architecture, making it an interesting destination for art lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.
  8. Storrowton Village Museum8

    Storrowton Village Museum

     Agawam, MA
    Helen Osborne Storrow, the namesake of Storrowton Village Museum, was a prominent American philanthropist and a significant figure in the early Girl Scout movement. She served as the chair of the World Committee of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) for eight years, demonstrating her commitment to empowering young women and her dedication to service.
  9. Old Sturbridge Village9

    Old Sturbridge Village

     Sturbridge, MA
    Old Sturbridge Village, located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, is a living museum that offers a glimpse into rural New England life from the 1790s to the 1830s. The museum is designed to recreate the historical period, providing visitors with an immersive experience of life during that era.