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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
Set in Stone~ History of the Quarry Industry
https://youtu.be/zbEhWiULwAg 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
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
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
Online Exhibits
Featured Artifact of the Week
Wood Sign From the Medical Exhibit White painted wood sign, 60″ x 28″, with black paint for text, of the Westford Osteopathic Hospital. The hospital was run by Dr. Ralph
Phyllis Wright (1917-1998)
“Westford’s first Apple Blossom Queen” By James VanBever (November 2020) On May 20, 1935, Reverend John Day of the Westford Unitarian church and originator of the Apple Blossom Festival introduced
Lucinda Everlyn Prescott (1888-1976)
Lucinda (Cindy) was the daughter of Ebenezer of Josephine (Webster) Prescott and lived on the Prescott family farm at 180 Main Street, Chamberlain Corner, all of her life with her
Eva Mae Lord (1889 – 1960)
“Mae Lord became the nurse at the Abbot Worsted Company, a position that she held for the rest of her life. She played a big part in the health of
Noella “Pinky” Leduc (1933-2014)
Noella Leduc was born on River Street in Graniteville on December 23, 1933. Her house on River Street is directly across from the Graniteville ball field. It was at
Dr. Elizabeth Kittredge (1889-1972)
Westford’s First Woman Doctor. By James VanBever (Feb/March 2022) When Elizabeth Kittredge was considering a career in medicine, she did not receive wholehearted support from her family. In fact, she
Elizabeth R. (Needham) Shaw (1942-2023)
Thank you Beth for all you did! You will long be remembered. We recently lost an outstanding person who was a pillar of our community and outstanding contributor to the
APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL 1936, Knpobo, Cradle Flower
Cradle Flower Mary Lou Schlosser MAY 16, 1936 (Photograph by Charles L. Hildreth) Among the hundreds of photographs from the Charles L. Hildreth collection, we have
Nancy (Heywood) Richmond (1820-1898)
Why Edgar Allen Poe called Nancy Richmond, “Anne” is a mystery. By James Van Bever (June/July 2022) It is believed that after Poe started to call her Annie that she
Past Exhibits
See highlights from past exhibits on our Past Exhibits page.