The Wenham Museum currently stewards a diverse collection of approximately 45,000 objects. Bring the entire family to discover the treasures of childhood and explore how New Englanders have lived, worked, dressed and played from the 17th century to today at the Wenham Museum.

Enjoy our world-famous doll and toy collection and delightful model train gallery. Learn from our historic costume, textile, and photograph collections. Step back in time with a self-guided visit of the circa 1690 Claflin-Richards House, then experience hands-on history in the Family Discovery Gallery.

BROWSE COLLECTIONS ONLINE

Portions of the museum’s permanent collection are available for online browsing through PastPerfect Online.  As of March 2021, only the museum’s Benjamin H. Conant Photography Collection is available.  In the weeks and months to come, additional collections will be added.

MUSEUM FIRST FLOOR GALLERIES

These galleries underwent a complete renovation in 2019 to create an updated, flexible gallery space, and 21st-century museum experience for all visitors.

Please be aware that to facilitate the installations in this special exhibit space, the permanent collections that were long displayed in the first floor galleries, such as many of the dolls and miniatures, are safely in storage.  For the long-term preservation of many of those objects, they do need a rest from exposure to light.  The museum will continue to incorporate these objects into exhibitions within this space.

To learn more about the collection, explore the information below and plan your visit today.

• Archives
• Costumes & Textiles
• Dolls
• Historic Claflin-Gerrish-Richards House
• Pickering Library
• Toys
• Trains

Research Request Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in the Wenham Museum’s collection. We welcome inquiries related to the objects and archives in our care. Due to the size of our collection (over 60,000 objects) and the limited availability of our collections staff, we kindly ask that all research requests be submitted in writing and with advance notice.

How to Submit a Research Request

All inquiries must be submitted in writing by email to: info@wenhammuseum.org.

In your message, please include:

• Your full name and contact information
• Subject of your research
• Description of the object(s) or topic you’re inquiring about
• Intended use (publication, exhibit, personal research, etc.)
• Any deadlines or timeframes for your request

Important Information

• Research requests are reviewed and fulfilled by museum staff as time allows.
• We are not able to provide same-day access to objects, archives, or images.
• Please allow 2–3 weeks for a response to your inquiry.
• Requests submitted without sufficient lead time may not be fulfilled.

Our team is happy to assist you — thank you for helping us care for and preserve the collection for all to enjoy.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@wenhammuseum.org.

If you are interested in donating an artifact to the collection, learn more.