Exhibits

The Westford Museum houses several permanent exhibits. Temporary exhibits highlight parts of our collections which cannot be displayed on a permanent basis. A large percentage of the collections are in storage and can be viewed by appointment if their condition allows.

Approximately 80% of the Westford Historical Society’s collections are in storage, not normally on display in the Museum. Each week we feature a different artifact from our collection.

Permanent Exhibits

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History Pods-Virtually Keeping Westford’s History Alive

View our collection of short Westford History Pods (3-5 minute videos) featuring items and artifacts from the Westford Museum’s collection as well as a tibit of Westford History and more!

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Aerial view of Abbot Mills Buildings

The Abbot Worsted Company; The Business, the People and the Community

Virtually tour the Abbot Mill Exhibit in the Westford Museum with Penny Lacroix (2007) Helene (Mickey Crocker reflects on her years working in the Mills (2021) Working the Mill in

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Captain Pelatiah Fletcher Doll House

The Doll House is no ordinary playhouse.  After moving into the Captain Fletcher House (54 Lowell Rd), Mary “Marni” D. Agnew decided to create a replica of the house.  The

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Home Life

Not so long ago, the average home was a very different place. Candles lit the rooms instead of light bulbs, fires were used to cook things instead of ovens and

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Photo of mural

What happened to the Lake Shore Theatre?

Mural-sized painting of Nabnasset Country Club, ca. 1930 W.2017.24.1Photo by Rich McLaughlin We’ve been hearing lots about the Lake Shore Theatre in Nabnasset. It was run by Franklin Trask for

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Stone Circle at Grassy Pond

History in Stone; Reminders of Native American Life in Westford. The Stone Circle at Grassy Pond, may be an ancient artifacts found here in Westford, by Cori Ryan, and Darlene

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Set in Stone~ History of the Quarry Industry

Westford has a long history in industry, with the earliest recorded granite quarrying beginning in 1826 on Oak Hill, near today’s Fletcher Granite company. Granite from here is known for

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Nabnasset

Nabnasset is the 5th and final theme in our Villages of Westford series. It started as a farming community and added the mills at Brookside. In the late 19th century

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Image of the Westford Knight

The Westford Knight

The so called “Westford Knight” is a carving of unconfirmed origin in ledgerock on the hill approaching Westford Center from Stony Brook. Easily visible in contrast with the natural features

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Online Exhibits

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Featured Artifact of the Week

Telegraph Key From the Collection Vibroplex Semiautomatic Telegraph Key. It was first sold in 1926, and was branded as the “Lightning Bug” during the late 1930s. Telegraphy primarily used morse

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Notable of the Month – Capt. Rick “Warlock” Bradley (1946-1999)

When Rick Bradley graduated from Westford Academy in 1963, he left a stellar record. During Rick’s senior year, he served as Student Council President and in sports he was a

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Featured Artifact of the Week

Red Mug From the Collection Red-painted cider mug found in the ruins of the cider mill in the orchard of Sebastian Bangert “Bassie” Watson (1870-1953). The mill, located on Tadmuck

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Dr. Nettie Marie Stevens (1861-1912)

Nettie Maria Stevens, (1861-1912) Born in Cavindish, VT to Julia (Adams) and Ephraim Stevens. After her mother died, the family moved to Westford when Nettie was a young girl. She

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Geoff Hall’s Westford Tales

Geoff Hall continues to capture stories of members from the Westford community. Westford Tales, focusing on residents’ memories of Westford throughout the years. Geoffrey D. Hall is a third generation Westfordite.

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Featured Artifacts of the Week

Town Hall Sign (Pieces) Letters Postcard Reference From the Collection Five pieces of wood letters, with gold leaf, blown off the Westford Town Hall during the hurricane that came through

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Featured Artifact of the Week

Prescott House Photo Ca. 1899 photo of the first Prescott House that stood at 32 Boston Rd. The house was built by Nathan Pollard Prescott (1817-1892) by 1875. His son,

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The Great Ghosts of 1962

Back in 1962 Westford Academy played its home football games at what is now known as the Abbot School, Depot Street. The field did not have lights, a public address

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Featured Artifact of the Week

Photograph From the Collection 1912 black and white photo of an electric trolley car around 22 Brookside Rd today. The house to the left was rebuilt in 2010, while the

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Past Exhibits

See highlights from past exhibits on our Past Exhibits page.