Following a major renovation and expansion, Pilgrim Hall, a gallery museum in the heart of Plymouth contains a newly designed celebration of America’s forefathers. Located at 75 Court St., the museum tells the stories of America’s founding through exhibitions of authentic 17th-century Pilgrim possessions. One floor celebrates the Pilgrim story as many know it, while another examines Pilgrim life in a historically more accurate manner. Visit www.pilgrimhall.org for more information.
The Jenney Grist Mill is a 16th century nonprofit living history museum, and its purpose is to educate students, visitors to Plymouth and the local community of the agricultural, economic and historic significance of the 1636 mill. Admission to the Mill helps to support its purpose. Contact Nancy Martin at 508-747-4544 or info@jenneygristmill.org for more information. The hours of operation for the mill are Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission is $6 adults (13 and older), $4 children age 5-12. Age 4 and under free.
The 1749 Court House is a free museum located in Plymouth’s historic Town Square. Filled with interesting items from Plymouth’s history, it’s the oldest wooden Court House and longest used municipal building in America. The 1749 Court House was originally built for the combined use of Plymouth County and the town of Plymouth. The town used it when the circuit court was not in session. When a new courthouse was built in 1820, the town purchased this building for the sum of $2,000 and from that time until the early 1950s, virtually every town department had its offices there.
In 1970, the building was restored and opened to the public as a museum. It houses a fire engine from 1828, the town hearse, items from Parting Ways settlement, and panels featuring Urban Renewal of Plymouth and High Street during the 1960s. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The 1749 Courthouse is steps away from historic Burial Hill, Cole’s Hill, Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II.
The 1749 Court House is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Located in the Tower Building at Cordage Commerce Center, 10 Cordage Park Circle, Plymouth, off Route 3A, the Plymouth Cordage Museum is open Saturdays noon to 4 p.m. and admission is free. Call 508-746-7707 for additional information or check out the museum’s Web site, www.plymouthcordagemuseum.org.
* Local tip: The museum brings to life a time when the Plymouth Cordage Co. was the world’s largest ropemaker.
Museum of Fine Arts
The museum is located at Avenue of the Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. In addition to the museum’s regular collections, current exhibits include Great Company: Portraits by European Masters; Winslow Homer: American Scenes (until Dec. 7); and Kufic Korans: Calligraphy in the World of Islam. Call 617-267-9300 or visit the Web site www.mfa.org, for information on hours, admission prices and regular exhibits.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library
Located on a 9.5 acre landscaped park at Columbia Point in Boston, the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum contain the papers of President Kennedy, in addition to still photographs, audiotapes and videotapes. The museum portrays the life, leadership and legacy of the president and his enthusiasm for public service in three theaters, period settings and 25 dramatic multimedia exhibits. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Admission for adults is $10; seniors 62 years and older and college students, $8; children ages 13 to 17, $7; and children ages 12 and under are admitted free. For more information, call 866-JFK-1960 or visit the Web site at www.jfklibrary.org.
New Bedford Whaling Museum
This museum, which evokes images of Ahab and Moby Dick, is located at 18 Johnny Cake Hill in New Bedford. Exhibits include the skeleton of a rare, juvenile blue whale, British painting and scrimshaw and more. Admission for adults is $10, senior citizens and students, $9, and children ages 6 to 14, $6. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (and until 9 p.m. every second Thursday of the month). It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For additional information, call 508-997-0046 or visit the Web site, www.whalingmuseum.org.
The museum is located at 300 Congress St., Boston. Hours are: daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65+ and children ages 2 to 15, $2 for children who are age 1, and children under 1 year old are admitted free. Friday nights from 5 to 9 p.m., get a special rate of only $1 per person. Call 617-426-6500 or check out the museum’s Web site, www.bostonkids.org, for more information.
The museum, located at Museum Park in Boston, also includes the Mugar Omni Theater, the Charles Hayden Planetarium, a butterfly garden and other exhibit halls. Different combination tickets are available if you’re visiting the exhibits and taking in a movie. Visit the Web site, www.mos.org, or call 617-723-2500 for information on exhibits, prices and hours.
* Local tip: A movie at the Omni Theater is well worth the trip to Boston.
