Higgins Armory Museum

The Higgins Armory Museum is the nation's only solely dedicated arms and armor museum. he Higgins Armory Museum is a nonprofit educational institution that presents the history of arms and armor in a broad cultural context. The Museum achieves its mission by preserving, researching, exhibiting, and interpreting its collections for the benefit of the general public and specialized audiences.

Description:
Founded in 1931, The Higgins Armory Museum attracts nearly 60,000 visitors per year. The Museum's collection includes more than 5,000 objects displayed on the four floors of the glass and steel art deco building. The Higgins offers a wide range of programs for all ages, including special exhibitions, guided tours, fencing and combat classes, special events, lectures, demonstrations, birthday parties, and more.

History:
The Museum evolved from a private collection of arms and armor from medieval and Renaissance Europe, Feudal Japan and ancient Greece and Rome into a world-renowned museum. The founder, John Woodman Higgins, a leading Worcester industrialist, spent a lifetime building his collection. He chose to house his fascinating and eclectic collection in a building of surprising contrasts, from its steel and glass Art Deco exterior to the vaulted Medieval Great Hall. Visitors will be amazed at the scope and breadth of historical, cultural and technological periods represented by the objects, amassed by a passionate collector over the course of a lifetime—and still collected actively today. Artifacts ranging from Corinthian helmets of ancient Greece to ornate suits of armor from the height of the Renaissance give visitors an exciting glimpse into the past, while the many informative and entertaining programs help to interpret the collection in a broad cultural context.

Contact person: Devon Kurtz, Director Of Education, (508) 853-6015 , ext. 15, (email)

Office fax number: (508) 852-7697

Address:

100 Barber Avenue Worcester, MA 01606 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.higgins.org

Directions:

From Boston: Take the I-90/Mass Pike West to Exit 11A, I-495 North. Take I-495 North to Exit 25B, I-290 West. Take I-290 West to Exit 19, I-190 North. Take I-190 North to Exit 1, Rt. 12 North. Follow Rt. 12 North for ¼ mile, Greendale. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 30, 5 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Are any opportunities appropriate for youth ages 18 or under? If yes, what age range?
	16+ (with parents permission)

Last updated on June 15, 2009