Wenham Museum

Wenham Wednesdays
2024-11-06 13:15 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
NEW: Early release drop-off program for Hamilton-Wenham elementary students
Wednesday, November 6, 2024: LEGO Club

Enjoy an afternoon at the museum with friends
Bring a snack
Free build with LEGO or take on a building challenge prompt
Explore the museum galleries until it is time to go home

Every Wednesday during the school year, Wenham Wednesdays will feature activities such as craft projects, board games, LEGO building, paper crafts, and more – plus time for students to explore the museum galleries with friends.
Sign up for one Wednesday, or every Wednesday!
Learn more: www.wenhammuseum.org/wenham-wednesdays

Closed for Election Day
2024-11-05 10:00 - 16:00
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, the Wenham Museum will be closed to the public per the request of the Town of Wenham. Significant turnout is expected for this election and both museum patrons and those voting in Town Hall use a shared public parking lot. To improve parking for voters and to promote pedestrian safety, the museum will be closed on Election Day.
We regret any inconvenience this may cause our visitors and Members, as we know several area schools are closed on Election Day and that families often wish to visit the museum on no-school days. The museum will re-open for its regular business hours on Wednesday, November 6 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Harry Potter Party
2024-11-02 10:00 - 15:00
Put on your wizard cap and get ready for a magical event with potions, spells, and more!
The wizarding fun of Hogwarts returns to Wenham Museum this fall. This celebration of magic and wonder includes an alchemy magic show with a genuine wizard, a potions lab, crafting, photo ops, a limited time display of LEGO™ Hogwarts Express buildings, and more!
Because of the anticipated large size of the Potter Party, the museum will be open for this special event only. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. Tickets for the Potter Party will be available at the door on the day of the event as space permits. Discounted admission and passes will not be accepted for this event or on this date including library passes and ACM Reciprocal members.
In honor of Dobby the house elf, please bring a new pair of socks to be donated to River House Women’s Shelter in Beverly.
If you are intending to visit only to see the trains or other exhibitions, special Potter Party Admission Prices will apply for Members and Nonmembers at the door. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Online Reservations are No Longer Available. A limited number of tickets will be available for sale at the door on Saturday for the Harry Potter Party including crafts, photo booth, and afternoon classes: Members – $8 per person and Nonmembers – $12 per person. Everyone ages 2 and up needs a ticket. PLEASE NOTE: Our Ed the Wizard Magic Show for our Harry Potter Party is SOLD OUT.
Program Agenda

10AM The Potter Party Begins

11AM Alchemy Magic Show with Ed the Wizard (Recommended for ages 6 and up) – SOLD OUT

1 PM Potion Lab Unicorn Tears and Goblin Snot Bubbles

1:30 PM Potion Lab Wizard Slime

2 PM Potion Lab Unicorn Tears and Goblin Snot Bubbles

2:30 PM Potion Lab Wizard Slime

ALL DAY 10AM – 3PM (while materials last)

Make a wizard wand

Make a golden snitch

Write with a quill pen

Photo booth with props

SPECIAL GUEST 11 AM – 2 PM: Caricature Artist Dave Paint N’ Airbrush (custom caricatures and prints of Harry Potter characters available to purchase at additional cost)

Wenham Wednesdays
2024-10-30 13:15 - 16:00
Early release drop-off program for Hamilton-Wenham elementary students
Wednesday, October 30: Drawing League (One time only!)

Enjoy an afternoon at the museum with friends.
Bring a snack
Develop your drawing skills through directed drawing guidance, how-to-draw handouts, or customized instructions
Explore the museum galleries until it is time to go home

Every Wednesday during the school year, Wenham Wednesdays will feature activities such as craft projects, board games, LEGO building, paper crafts, and more – plus time for students to explore the museum galleries with friends.
Sign up for one Wednesday, or every Wednesday!
Learn more: www.wenhammuseum.org/wenham-wednesdays

Drop-in Halloween Crafts
2024-10-29 10:00 - 16:00
Celebrate spooky season with special drop-in Halloween crafts! Included with admission, while supplies last.

Trunk or Treat at Patton Park
2024-10-26
Visit Wenham Museum staff at the annual Pumpkin Festival trunk or treat at Patton Park. This year we will have a spellbinding Hogwarts theme as a nod to our upcoming Harry Potter Party. Attendees can expect magical treats, a photo backdrop and complimentary passes to visit the museum.
Visit https://hamiltonwenhamma.myrec.com/info/default.aspx for updates on this event.

Wenham Wednesdays
2024-10-23 13:15 - 16:00
Early release drop-off program for Hamilton-Wenham elementary students
Wednesday, October 23: Seasonal Craft – Pumpkin Decorating

Enjoy an afternoon at the museum with friends
Bring a snack
Create a seasonal craft
Explore the museum galleries until it is time to go home

Every Wednesday during the school year, Wenham Wednesdays will feature activities such as craft projects, board games, LEGO building, paper crafts, and more – plus time for students to explore the museum galleries with friends.
Sign up for one Wednesday, or every Wednesday!
Learn more: www.wenhammuseum.org/wenham-wednesdays

LEGO Train On Display
2024-10-20 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-10-19 10:00 - 16:00
EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR
Calling all LEGO fans: the LEGO Train is coming back to the Wenham Museum for a spooktacular visit!
Watch a rainbow colored, L-gauge model train speeding along a brick track as it races by soaring skyscrapers, country cottages, mountainside ski slopes and much more – maybe even some Halloween surprises.
All features are designed with the highest degree of precision (and a sense of humor!) by the New England LEGO Users Group (NELUG). Special thanks to NELUG for sharing their creations with us. All ticket proceeds from the LEGO Train benefit the nonprofit Wenham Museum.
We encourage visitors to come in at least an hour before closing in order to fully enjoy the Lego experience. Save time before or afterwards to explore the rest of the museum galleries included in your ticket price!
SPECIAL EVENT DETAILS
LEGO Train On Display
Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 20, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
**SPECIAL MEMBERS ONLY HOURS: Sunday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.**
TICKET PRICING:
Members: FREE
Non-Member Adult $12.00
Non-Member Children $10.00
Non-Member Senior (65+) $10.00
Please Note: Library Passes and free passes are not eligible for this special event.
Tickets available at the door. Online Reservations are now closed.

Tour: The Patton Family in New England
2024-10-19 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-09-28 13:00 - 14:00
The Patton Family in New England Tour chronicles the life and legacy of one of America’s premier military families who resided here on Boston’s North Shore. On the tour, you will see four rooms within the Patton Homestead that are filled with military memorabilia, family heirlooms, photography, books, and papers that comprise a collection known as the Patton Family Archives. These Archives are also an untapped, unparalleled resource regarding the service and sacrifice of Maj. Gen. Patton and his troops during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and that of his wife, Joanne Holbrook Patton, on the home front.
Guided tours are offered at select dates and times and are available only by advanced online reservation through the Wenham Museum. Tours are approximately one hour in length and include time for questions. Payment is required at the time of booking.
FALL TOUR DATES
Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Tours are $15.00 for members of the Wenham Museum and $20.00 for nonmembers. Active Military and Veteran tour tickets are $10.00. Tour tickets also and include General Admission to the museum’s main location at 132 Main Street, Wenham, Massachusetts.
Groups
Group tours are available for parties of 6 or more on a mutually agreeable date at time. We kindly ask for two weeks lead time for scheduling groups. Please contact the museum at info@wenhammuseum.org or (978) 468-2377, ext. 113 to inquire.
Parking & Accessibility
Public parking is available in gravel lot located next to the Homestead. There is an incline to walk from the parking lot to the Homestead. We regret that at this time, the Archives and the Homestead are not fully handicapped accessible. Restrooms are available within the Homestead.
Tour Location
Patton Family Archives
Patton Homestead
650 Asbury Street, Hamilton, MA
The Wenham Museum owns and operates the Patton Family Archives. The museum leases space within the Patton Homestead to display the Archives.
Inclement Weather
Please be aware that in the event of inclement weather, the tours may be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date. The museum will contact you.

New Exhibit: All Aboard for Train Time
2024-10-19 10:00 - 16:00
Even more model trains are chugging into Wenham Museum for the new exhibit, “All Aboard for Train Time,” opening October 19. Explore four captivating layouts in our main gallery, including holiday favorite the Polar Express, perfectly timed to celebrate twenty years on the big screen. Fans will recognize scenes from the movie as the Polar Express speeds along the track – all the way to the North Pole.
The exhibit also features the Snow Train to Bakersville, brimming with wintry miniatures to seek and find, an “O” gauge layout built by Richard Coughlin that depicts railroad and industry working together, and a busy streetcar in a bustling city scene.
With hands-on fun for visitors big and small throughout the gallery, you won’t want to miss this stop! After exploring “All Aboard for Train Time,” be sure to visit the museum’s permanent display of model trains in the lower galleries.

New Exhibits: Tin Toy Story and Tin Things
2024-10-19 10:00 - 16:00
Join us in the wonderful world of toys for our new “Tin Toy Story” exhibit, opening October 19. “Tin Toy Story” features an eye-popping collection of over 100 toys from toymaker and collector Jack Schylling. Jack founded Schylling Toys and Gifts in Rowley, MA over forty years ago. As the creative force behind many of the company’s products, Jack was especially inspired by the mechanical toys from the “golden age” of toys, the 1930s-1970s. Jack has collected – and continues to collect – literally thousands of toys, and has designed hundreds more. This exhibition focuses on the tin toys from Jack’s collection of vintage and antique toys and those made by Schylling Toys and Gifts.
An adjunct exhibit to “Tin Toy Story” is “Tin Things.” Also opening October 19, “Tin Things” features tin artifacts from Wenham Museum’s own collection. This exhibit explores the history of tin and how it’s been used to make everything from ancient Greek sculptures to food wrapping for the past 3000 years.
As always, there will be plenty of hands-on components in the galleries, including many toys in the gallery available for play and samples of metal ingots made from tin, aluminum, bronze, etc. that visitors are invited to touch. Metal is used to make all sorts of things – come discover what’s so disTINctive about tin!
Learn more about Toymaker Jack Schylling and Schylling Toys and Gifts in this short introductory film from The Toymaker, a documentary film produced by Matt Siegel.

Jack Schylling Photo and Video Credit: ©Matthew J. Siegel/Imageworks-LA

Wenham Wednesdays
2024-10-16 13:15 - 16:00
Early release drop-off program for Hamilton-Wenham elementary students
Wednesday, October 16: Board Game Club

Enjoy an afternoon at the museum with friends.
Bring a snack
Choose from a variety of board games to play with others.
Selection includes: Battleship, Sorry, Twister, Throw Throw Burrito, Checkers, Candyland, Connect 4, Guess Who, and more
Have a favorite game that you think we should add? Just let us know!
Explore the museum galleries until it is time to go home

Every Wednesday during the school year, Wenham Wednesdays will feature activities such as craft projects, board games, LEGO building, paper crafts, and more – plus time for students to explore the museum galleries with friends.
Sign up for one Wednesday, or every Wednesday!
Learn more: www.wenhammuseum.org/wenham-wednesdays

Closed for Indigenous Peoples' Day
2024-10-14 10:00 - 16:00
The Wenham Museum is closed on Monday, October 14, 2024 in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Brown Bag Lunch Series: Nora Neale
2024-10-11 12:00 - 13:00
Learn all about beekeeping with Nora Neale, an apiarist at Lupine Lane Apiary in Topsfield who also takes care of hives throughout surrounding towns. Join us to hear the latest buzz about beekeeping!
Visitors may also browse a selection of Lupine Lane honey and products in the museum gift shop.
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The Brown Bag Lunch series is a free program for adults held the 2nd Friday of each month at noon (October to June), featuring speakers who share presentations about local history and other topics of interest.
Please bring your own lunch; beverages and dessert will be provided.
Thank You to Our Sponsor:
This program series is sponsored by the Institution for Savings

M is for Museum & P is for Playdate
2024-10-11 09:30 - 11:30, 2024-09-13 09:30 - 11:30
Join us the 2nd Friday of the month for our M is for Museum/P is for Playdate program! Each month, we read a story, then do a related craft or activity.
These programs have been designed to address MA curriculum standards for Pre-K in Reading and Literature, Science, Personal and Social Development and Peer Relationships.
PROGRAM DETAILS
2nd Friday of the Month
9:30 a.m. ages 18 months-2.9 years
10:30 a.m. ages 2.9 years+
Included with Admission
Free for Members
Free for Residents of Hamilton, Wenham, Manchester & Essex with advanced registration through Early Childhood Partners >>
Sponsored by Early Childhood Partners via Mass. Department of Early Education & Care and the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District.

Wenham Wednesdays
2024-10-09 13:15 - 16:00
Early release drop-off program for Hamilton-Wenham elementary students
Wednesday, October 9: Origami & Papercrafts

Enjoy an afternoon at the museum with friends
Bring a snack
Learn the art of origami and / or paper sculpture
Bring home some cool creations
Explore the museum galleries until it is time to go home

Every Wednesday during the school year, Wenham Wednesdays will feature activities such as craft projects, board games, LEGO building, paper crafts, and more – plus time for students to explore the museum galleries with friends.
Sign up for one Wednesday, or every Wednesday!
Learn more: www.wenhammuseum.org/wenham-wednesdays

Wenham Wednesdays
2024-10-02 13:15 - 16:00
Early release drop-off program for Hamilton-Wenham elementary students
Wednesday, October 2, 2024: LEGO Club

Enjoy an afternoon at the museum with friends
Bring a snack
Free build with LEGO or take on a building challenge prompt
Explore the museum galleries until it is time to go home

Every Wednesday during the school year, Wenham Wednesdays will feature activities such as craft projects, board games, LEGO building, paper crafts, and more – plus time for students to explore the museum galleries with friends.
Sign up for one Wednesday, or every Wednesday!
Learn more: www.wenhammuseum.org/wenham-wednesdays

Trails & Sails 2024: Patton Audio Tour
2024-09-25 08:30 - 17:00
Visit the Patton Homestead (650 Asbury Street, Hamilton, MA) for a self-guided audio tour created by the Wenham Museum for the Patton Family Archive and Town of Hamilton. The tour shares historical information about the Patton Family and Patton Homestead grounds. Guests are also encouraged to explore the nature trail along the Ipswich River and take in the view at the Greenbelt River Overlook.
Scan the QR code located in the kiosk in the lower, gravel parking lot to start the tour.

Please visit this page for additional details.
This tour is part of the Essex National Heritage Area’s Trail & Sails series of events. Learn More Here >>

Drop-in Craft
2024-09-20 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-09-19 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-09-18 10:00 - 16:00
We’re celebrating the International Day of Peace with a special drop-in activity, included with admission (while supplies last).

Maintenance Shut Down Days
2024-09-02 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-09-01 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-31 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-30 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-29 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-28 08:00 - 17:00
The Wenham Museum will be closed for maintenance projects from Sunday, August 25, 2024 – Monday, September 2, 2024. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our visitors and Members. We know that during this time between the end of summer camps and the start of school, many families are seeking local activities and we regret that we cannot be there for you during this time.
We look forward to seeing you when we reopen for our regularly scheduled ours on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Questions? Please contact Visitor Services at (978) 468-2377, ext. 113 or by e-mail at info@wenhammuseum.org.
