Museums and Exhibitions
J.K. Lilly, III Antique Automobile Museum
Housed in a reproduction of a round stone Shaker barn, the automobile museum features over thirty antique American automobiles. Trace automotive history from its beginnings through the mid-1900s or explore various types of automobiles including race cars and cars that ran on electric or steam power. Also featured in this building is a 1913 Ford Model T that visitors may sit in and imagine what life on the early roads was like!
American History Museum
The American History Museum is a venue for changing exhibitions, as well as being the location for the popular exhibit A Bird in the Hand: The Carvings of Elmer and Cleon Crowell. The building is also where one will find the exhibit Marching Miniatures: Our Nation's Military History featuring the museum's collection of American military miniatures and firearms.
The American History Museum is a replica of a Revolutionary War fort originally located in New Windsor, New York. The original building, known as "The Temple," was where George Washington's army spent the last winter of the Revolutionary War in 1783 and where Washington awarded the first three Purple Heart military decorations.
Art Museum
The Art Museum houses two exhibition galleries and the museum's antique carousel. In the Folk Art Gallery visitors can view extraordinary examples of American folk art including paintings and portraits, weathervanes, Nantucket baskets, scrimshaw and shop signs. Other collection highlights occasionally on exhibit include Currier & Ives lithographs and a wide variety of fine art paintings from New England. Special changing exhibitions are featured in the Ruth Lilly Gallery.
Showing April 1 - October 31
A Short Life and Merry: Pirates of New England
Back for a second season by popular demand
Carousel
Located in the Art Museum, the carousel may be the most popular attraction at Heritage Museums & Gardens. Made by Charles Looff, the antique, hand-carved carousel has been thrilling riders for nearly one hundred years. Menagerie figures made by other carousel manufacturers are located nearby. Enjoy a ride – free with museum admission!
Old East Windmill
The Old East Windmill at Heritage Museums & Gardens was built in 1800 in Orleans, Massachusetts. It served that community for 93 years grinding wheat, rye, barley and salt from the local salt works. During the Civil War the windmill also ground corn meal to be used as field rations for Union soldiers. In 1968, the windmill was sold to Heritage’s founder, J.K. Lilly, III, and moved to its present location. In order to make the 32 mile trip, the windmill was disassembled into four pieces. The move took ten days as each power line had to be lifted to accommodate the height of the windmill. Once situated at the museum, the windmill was restored and fitted with an electric drive so it can run regardless of the presence of wind. The windmill is open on special days; please call ahead for the schedule.