Old Colony Historical Society

Tour Programs and Activities

The Old Colony Historical Society features a vast and varied collection of artifacts telling the story of the Taunton, Massachusetts region’s rich history. Highlights include displays of fine silver, military items, Native American artifacts, furniture, cast iron stoves, toys, and portraits. The Society is housed in an 1852 Italianate-style brick schoolhouse designed by nationally known architect Richard Upjohn.

Tours led by knowledgeable guides are offered to visitors year-round, Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 – 4:00. Please note that the Society is closed on holidays and Saturdays preceding Monday holidays. Groups under 10 in number who do not have special requests for other activities need not make an appointment. We can tailor your tour to your interests and time schedule. Generally, tours are about one hour long.

Our building is handicapped accessible to the first floor. A video tour including the upper floor of the museum is available for viewing on the first floor.

We are available to bring our slide programs to your group if you are unable to visit. Please follow this link to the list of topics.

Group Tours

For group tours numbering 10 or more, appointments can be made by contacting the Society, and a confirmation will be returned to the tour organizer. Please contact the Society at least two weeks in advance. We offer guided tours for up to 50 visitors at a time, and can offer “open house” style tours for numbers from 51 – 200. We recommend that groups plan on about one hour for their visit.

Group tour fees during our regular open hours (Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 – 4:00) are $4 for adults, $2 for seniors (65+) and children 12-18, free for Old Colony Historical Society members and children under 12 years old. For after hours tours, special arrangements must be made.

If you wish to combine a guided tour with a slide talk or another presentation by our staff, please follow this link to see the topics, and consult the staff about additional fees.

Student Age Tours and Activities

For children of all ages, a Treasure Hunt activity handout is available. Children may explore the museum, searching for objects using the clues on the handout. Of course, a prize is awarded upon completing the Treasure Hunt. Guided children’s tours point out items of special interest, such as toys and dolls, an 1875 bicycle, and silver medals awarded to school children.

For the elementary school level, including Scout groups, the Touch-It Collection Activity allows children to pick up and examine a number of antique household objects. The children then guess their use, leading into a discussion of what everyday life was like in centuries past. A slide talk about childhood from 1870-1920 may be presented at the Society or at schools or other halls.

For middle school or high school students, an interactive slide talk called “How Taunton Has Changed” lets students see how our community has developed over time and why it is worth preserving.

For students at the college or postgraduate level, or for museum colleagues, other workshops or lectures may be requested on topics taken from local history to the practices of the museum and library professions.

Please contact:

Jane Hennedy, Director

Old Colony Historical Society

66 Church Green

Taunton, MA 02780

508-822-1622

OldColony@oldcolonyhistoricalsociety.org