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
Mrs. Mickey Crocker aka Helena Anne McKniff and her Family
Helena Anne “Mickey” McKniff was born in Forge Village in 1928, the only child of Thomas John McKniff (1901-1981) and Sarah “Sally” Lavelle (1898-1984), who were both born in Keighley,
Featured Artifact of the Week
Photograph From the Collection Photo of still in operation Fletcher Quarry in 1966. It is located on Oak Hill in the northeast corner of Westford, which is on the border
Betty Stringfellow Hudson (1926-2011) enlisted in the “Auxiliary Territorial Service”
By Janice Acquard ( July 2022) Betty Stringfellow Hudson was born in England on March 17th, 1926. By the time she was in her early teens WWII was raging in
Nancy Elizabeth Crooke Metcalf (1822-1881) Memorial Window
The Nancy Elizabeth Memorial Window was dedicated at First Parish Church on Sunday December 11, 1910 by her son Col. Edwin D. Metcalf. Col. Metcalf also gave other gifts to
Featured Artifact of the Week
Membership Card From the Collection The Massachusetts Infantile Club membership card belonging to Charles Lewis Hildreth (1879-1968) from 1944. The card measures 4″ x 2.25″. According to the 1944 Winchester
Featured Artifact of the Week
Photograph From the collection Black and white photo of the Luce House at , originally owned by Reverend Leonard Luce (1799-1884) in 1830. The photo was taken around 1945, based
Featured Artifact of the Week
Picture From the collection Wood-framed print of six oxen pulling a snow roller with two men guiding. Originally attributed to Chamberlain’s Corner, Chelmsford is more likely pictured. Snow rollers compacted
Featured Artifact of the Week
Photograph From the Mill Exhibit Black and white photo of women workers in the spinning room at the Abbot Worsted Co. The photo was taken in the early 1900s, likely
Featured Artifact of the Week
Christmas Postcard 1913 postcard with a picture of the Frost House, when it was located around 24 Main St. The house was built in 1860. By 1939, it was moved
Past Exhibits
See highlights from past exhibits on our Past Exhibits page.