Fruitlands Museum celebrates the art, history and nature of New England. Founded in 1914 by Clara Endicott Sears, it takes its name from an experimental utopian community led by Bronson Alcott and Charles Lane on this site in 1843. The Museum is a 210 acre campus with 2.5 miles of trails and 5 extraordinary collections.
The Fruitlands Farmhouse was the Alcott family home and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can find inspiration from Thoreau’s desk and the attic that inspired Louisa May Alcott to write Little Women. Outside, visitors can play 19th century games like hoops, graces and shifts.
The Art Museum hosts rotating exhibits that include objects from the Museum’s collections and temporary exhibitions in contemporary art and craft. The art collection includes Hudson River School paintings and 19th century vernacular portraits.
The Native American Museum contains artifacts from New England, the Plains, Southwest, and Northwest Coast culture areas. We collaborate with Native Americans from all across the country to interpret the Native American past and present.
The Shaker Museum is home to the largest archive of Harvard Shaker documents in the world. The Shakers are arguably the most successful communal society to develop in 19th century America and are known for innovations in manufacturing, agriculture, pharmicology and advertising.
The land is a living collection as the story of Fruitlands is the history of an evolving landscape. Located in Ha ... view more »
Fruitlands Museum celebrates the art, history and nature of New England. Founded in 1914 by Clara Endicott Sears, it takes its name from an experimental utopian community led by Bronson Alcott and Charles Lane on this site in 1843. The Museum is a 210 acre campus with 2.5 miles of trails and 5 extraordinary collections.
The Fruitlands Farmhouse was the Alcott family home and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can find inspiration from Thoreau’s desk and the attic that inspired Louisa May Alcott to write Little Women. Outside, visitors can play 19th century games like hoops, graces and shifts.
The Art Museum hosts rotating exhibits that include objects from the Museum’s collections and temporary exhibitions in contemporary art and craft. The art collection includes Hudson River School paintings and 19th century vernacular portraits.
The Native American Museum contains artifacts from New England, the Plains, Southwest, and Northwest Coast culture areas. We collaborate with Native Americans from all across the country to interpret the Native American past and present.
The Shaker Museum is home to the largest archive of Harvard Shaker documents in the world. The Shakers are arguably the most successful communal society to develop in 19th century America and are known for innovations in manufacturing, agriculture, pharmicology and advertising.
The land is a living collection as the story of Fruitlands is the history of an evolving landscape. Located in Harvard, the Museum has an unparalleled view of the Nashua River Valley.
The stories we tell represent important moments in the history of New England. Our ultimate goal is to use these treasures as a catalyst for creativity and the development of curious minds for audiences of all ages.
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