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Massachusetts Has The Best Open-Air Museum In The U.S.

Author Kayla Morgan

Museums are great places to see collections of buildings and artifacts. And one of the best happens to be right here in Massachusetts. This is no surprise, seeing that Massachusetts is rich with history, from being one of the original 13 colonies and being the landing place of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. Recently, USA Today, 10 Best compiled its annual list of best open-air museums in the U.S. and a Massachusetts museum scored a spot in the top 10.

The ten best open-air museums were selected by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the country.

What exactly is an open-air museum?

According to the Journal of Conservation and Museum Studies, open-air museums specialize in the collection, reconstruction, or repurposing of old buildings at large outdoor sites. Usually in settings of recreated landscapes of the past.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums Ranks Number One

The Plimoth Patuxet Museums took the top spot for being one of the best open-air museums in the U.S. The magazine highlighted the features of the museum in its ranking. It features reconstructed and preserved structures. This includes the Mayflower II, a full-scale reproduction of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America, and replica villages representing both the English and Native American villages. Another standout feature is that visitors are immersed in living history, interacting with historical interpreters who portray both Pilgrims and Wampanoag inhabitants.

According to Plimoth Patuxet Museums’ website, guests can learn about the Native people who lived at the Historic Patuxet Homesite for 12,000 years. Additionally, visitors can explore a re-creation of the small farming and maritime community built by the Pilgrims along the shore of Plymouth Harbor.

Their other features include the Plimoth Grist Mill, a full-scale reproduction of the Mayflower II, and their craft center.

The museum will be open for the 2024 season on Saturday, March 23, through the Sunday following Thanksgiving. During the open season, the museum and its sites will be open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mayflower II is scheduled to return to Plymouth in April. They plan to have the ship open daily starting Saturday, April 13th.

Check out their ticket options here for the museum’s multiple living history sites.

The 5 Most Unique Massachusetts Town Names

In New England, it’s confusing enough to know when you pronounce a “R” in a name and when you don’t. Luckily, in these unique Massachusetts town names you won’t have that problem. They are all straightforward in their spelling, and result in a chuckle.

Many of these locations are spread in rural parts of the state. Even those born and raised here may have never known they existed. The common thread between them results in two questions. Why? And, who got to select this name?

Whether we are talking about a two-state description or a 700 household community nuzzled into a larger town, there is no shortage of creativity here. Massachusetts is well-known for its wide array of Universities. In addition, we experience all four seasons to the fullest. The state is filled with passionate sports fans that stand behind five professional teams. Furthermore, there is deep history tied to very formative years of the country. From Pilgrims to Mayflowers to Rocks. Yet, none of those elements seem to factor into the naming of these municipalities.

The Bay State is certainly filled with culture. There are islands (including Five Pound Island). A Cape Cod town that combines Barn and Stable. Not to be forgotten is a coastal hamlet called Cow Yard While it was hard to pass by Second Cliff, Third Cliff and Fourth Cliff (all individual areas), here are five of the most unique Massachusetts town names.

  • Florida, MA

    Located in the northern corner of Berkshire County, Florida this is the highest point of the Mohawk trail. It has one school that serves Kindergarten through eighth grade. It is one of the smallest towns in the state, 337th out of 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts.
    MA State Map

  • Weweantic

    Technically, Weweantic is census-designated place within Wareham in Plymouth, County. However, residents typically say they live in “Weweantic”. The 730 households consist of a population around 1,500 people. There’s also the Weweantic River, which claims to mean a crooked or wandering stream.
    MA State Flag

  • Dingley Dell

    Located in Hampden County, Dingley Dell is only about 15 miles from Northern Connecticut. It’s south central Massachusetts. There is a large conservation area and waterfall nearby. History books have shown there was a country resort in the early years of the twentieth century in Dingley Dell.
    MA State Sign

  • Wyoming

    The City of Wyoming is located in Middlesex County and often referred to as part of the larger Melrose community. There is a MBTA Commuter Rail station in Wyoming Square. The name “Wyoming” can be traced back to being affiliated with big plains or prairie land. Fun fact – there is also a Wyoming in Kent County, Michigan that holds a population of roughly 76,000 people.
    Wyoming, MA

  • Braintree

    Although Braintree is known as a town, it is technically considered a city. It is located within the eastern portion of Norfolk County. It is named after the Essex county town of Braintree in Eastern England. It is the largest of the unique names covering 14.6 square miles. There are six elementary schools, two middles schools, and a high school in Braintree.

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.

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Author Kayla Morgan
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