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SALISBURY MANSION

A property of worcester historical museum at 40 highland street.

In 1767, when Stephen Salisbury turned 21, his brother Samuel sent him from Boston to open and operate a branch of the family store in Worcester. For five years Salisbury operated in rented quarters in what is now Lincoln Square. During that time he was a boarder at Timothy Paine’s house. [link to A17] In 1772 he bought approximately 150 acres from John Hancock, a lot that extended from Lincoln Square to the Worcester-Holden line, an area that includes the current campus of WPI, Institute Park, and the former Washburn & Moen North Works. On the part of that tract facing Lincoln Square, he contracted with a Hardwick carpenter, Joseph Allen, to build what would be the S&S Salisbury store as well as his residence. Looking south from the Salisbury Mansion grounds, Stephen Salisbury would see the County Court House to his right. To his left was the residence, forge, and tavern of his friend Timothy Bigelow, a Patriot leader.

Although Salisbury was not among the most active Worcester Patriots, he did participate in a meaningful way. He was a member of the Committee of Correspondence. In May 1774 he was a member of a committee that drafted the instructions for Worcester’s representative to the Provincial Congress. These instructions included the directive to encourage a union of all colonies and to oppose using Massachusetts taxpayer funds to pay for the tea destroyed in the Boston Tea Party. In September 1774, when the county militias met in Worcester to close the provincial court, Patriot leaders chose the area between the Court House and the store as the location for the militia to wait for developments.

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Salisbury Mansion - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Salisbury Mansion celebrating 250th anniversary

WORCESTER, Mass. - Worcester’s only historic house museum is celebrating its 250th anniversary this weekend.

The Salisbury Mansion was built for Stephen Salisbury in 1772.

In addition to tours on Saturday, the mansion will be celebrating Stephen Salisbury's birthday during their Sunday tours with cupcakes.

Restored in the 1980s, the mansion serves to show what life was like in 1835.

Site manager Robert Stacy says he loves the feeling of going back in time when he steps inside the mansion.

"You get to live with history, that's the nice thing. Every time, basically whenever I come in the door, we're leaving 2022 behind and stepping right into 1835," Robert Stacy said. "And the more you learn about the mansion, the more you learn about what it was like for people to live at that time. It captures life as the Salisburys lived it. And of course, the Salisburys had a lot to do with building up Worcester as an industrial community. They were contributors to the American Antiquarian. They were contributors also to WPI and a lot of hospitals and other institutions here in Worcester."

The Salisbury Mansion will also be hosting a candlelight tour this upcoming Thursday to give visitors a feel of life without electricity.

On Oct. 15, the Sudbury Minutemen will be performing militia drills on the mansion's front lawn.

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Admission prices & discounts for tickets to Salisbury Mansion in Worcester

The following overview lists the admission prices and various discounts and discount codes for a visit to Salisbury Mansion in Worcester . All prices are displayed per age group or reduced rate group. You can also directly book your discounted online ticket for the Salisbury Mansion here, if available, or make a reservation to reserve a timeslot if applicable.

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The 48th Annual OctoberTour

Historic Salisbury Foundation's signature Tour of Historic Homes returns for its 49th year, October 12-13, 2024.

Our 2023 Sponsors

Click here to see our sponsors

Click to visit HistoricSalisbury.org

Historic Homes Tour

Tour 10 historic properties, including the signature Dr. Josephus Hall House, with structures dating from 1766 through 1972, all during the 48th Annual OctoberTour.

October 12 from 10am - 5:00pm October 13 from 12pm - 5:00pm

Silent Auction

Don’t forget to bid on all kinds of pieces - from a one night stay at a local bed and breakfast to antique furniture and more!

Tour Sites for 2023

Tickets now on sale.

Tour tickets can be available to pick up at the Ticket Booth on Bank Street at 226 S Jackson Street during Tour hours.

Tickets from August 1-October 13

General admission $30.

Ages 11 & up. Pre-sale price. $35 on day of tour.

Children $15

Tickets purchased at ticket booth, general admission $35.

Ages 11 & up.

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Seven Things To Do: Holiday Pops, Nutcracker, Salisbury Mansion ...

'Holiday Extravaganza'

The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra knows how to put a lot into its annual Holiday Pops concerts. And like its previous packed and popular shows, the 42nd Holiday Pops Concert is sure to please what is likely once again to be a sold-out house at 8 p.m. Dec. 10 in Mechanics Hall. This year's concert will feature the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra led by principal conductor Myron Romanul; vocal soloists Jane Shivick, soprano, and Christon Carney, tenor; and a combined chorus comprised of the Salisbury Singers (under the direction of Bradford Dumont), the Worcester Children's Chorus (under the direction of Pamela Mindell) and students from area colleges. Also featured will be step dancers from the Murphy Academy of Irish Dance; a jazz ensemble drawn from the orchestra; audience sing-alongs; and a visit from Santa. Paul Levenson, executive director of the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, said, "This concert has built an amazing following which has produced capacity audiences ever since this annual presentation began 43 years ago in 1979 ... We're grateful that we have bounced back really well from the pandemic, and look forward to greeting longtime and new concertgoers to this annual holiday extravaganza."

What : 42nd Holiday Pops Concert — Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra

When : 8 p.m. Dec. 10

Where : Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester

How much : Floor table seats are sold out. Balcony seats are $41. www.mechanicshall.org ; www.masymphony.org ; (508) 754-1234

A Magical Journey

Dance Prism's "The Nutcracker" is Worcester's longest-running production of the enchanting holiday classic, with annual performances in Mechanics Hall going back 40 years to 1982. The Concord company's five-city New England tour includes professional dancers and apprentices supplemented for larger productions such as "The Nutcracker" by serious ballet students who audition annually for the company. Set to music by Tchaikovsky, "The Nutcracker" follows Clara and the Nutcracker Prince on a magical journey to the Land of Sweets.

What : "The Nutcracker" — Performed by Dance Prism

When : 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 11

How much : $45: $38 children (under 12) and seniors. www.mechanicshall.org

Something to Warm You Up

"Winter Warmer: A Night of Theatre, Music and Stand-Up" at 8 p.m. Dec. 9 at the BrickBox Theater at the JMAC will be a night of diverse artistic expression. There will be a "Meet and Greet" with the East Coast Rebel Bellas pinup models, and a music performance by local band Rack'em Up. Playwright Mary Darling's newest work in progress, "The Translator," will be featured in scenes with actors Kayla Schenk, Madeline Falcone, Kyle Hargrove, Patrick Bracken, Ed Humprhies, Tim Nichols and Chandra Watts. Also, the night includes stand-up by the popular Wootenanny comics Shaun Connolly and Bryan O'Donnell.

What : "Winter Warmer: A Night of Theatre, Music and Stand-Up"

When : 8 p.m. Dec. 9 (doors open 7:30 p.m.)

Where : BrickBox Theater, Jean McDonough Arts Center, 20B Franklin St., Worcester

How much: Tickets can be purchased in advance for $5. Receive free entry at the door with a nonperishable food donation to the Worcester County Food Bank. www.jmacworcester.org

A Christmas Celebration

"Christmas at Mechanics Hall" at noon Dec. 14 will include African-American spirituals, traditional carols and new pieces composed for this concert by the hall's Composer-in-Residence Leonardo Ciampa. The free concert is presented by Mechanics Hall and the Worcester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Among the performers will be the a cappella Westborough High School Chamber Singers, directed by Alyson Greer Espinosa; the acclaimed Boston-based vocal group Ensemble Lyrae with soloists Elizabeth Keusch (soprano), Michelle Deluise (mezzo-soprano), Christon Carney (tenor) and Eliomar Nascimento (bass); and Ciampa on the hall's historic  E. & G.G. Hook Organ. At the end of the program, the audience will be invited to join the performers in an informal carol sing-along. “We are delighted to partner with the Worcester chapter of the American Guild of Organists to offer this free Christmas concert as a thank-you to our community for supporting Mechanics Hall and music in Worcester,” said Mechanics Hall Executive Director Kathleen M. Gagne. “There is much we are grateful for as we successfully end this year — and much we look forward to in the new year to come.”

What : "Christmas at Mechanics Hall"

When : Noon, Dec. 14

How much : Free. Cabaret-style seating in the Great Hall is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are invited to bring their own “brown bag” lunch. Limited concessions will be available for purchase.   

'Home for the Holidays'

"Home for the Holidays" at Salisbury Mansion continues with candlelight tours from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 9, 16, 23 and 30, offering an opportunity to immerse yourself in Worcester's history and heritage. Worcester’s only historic house museum, built in 1772, opens its doors with each room – parlors, library, drawing rooms and other spaces – decorated to display the joy of the season. Each space offers a different interpretation, whether it is the parlor chamber with its glitter wallpaper reflecting the lights of the tree, the sitting room with its warm and colorful atmosphere, or the small library with its blue and silver ornaments. Enjoy a self-guided stroll through the period rooms, and meet docents and volunteers who will share the stories of Worcester and the Salisbury family. Presented by the Worcester Historical Museum.

What : "Home for the Holidays" at Salisbury Mansion

When : 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 9, 16, 23, and 30

Where : Salisbury Mansion, 40 Highland St., Worcester

How much : $10 per person at the door; free for Worcester Historical Museum members. Space is limited, call (508) 753-8278 to make reservations. Visit www.worcesterhistory.org for more information

'Season of Light'

The Worcester Chamber Music Society presents its popular annual Baroque concert 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in Princeton Congregational Church and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Worcester Historical Museum. "Season of Light" will cast a warm glow with music by Bach, Corelli and Telemann and some other festive selections. With guests Jesse Holstein, violin, and John McKean, harpsichord.

What : "Season of Light" — Worcester Chamber Music Society

When/Where :  7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Princeton Congregational Church, 14 Mountain Road, Princeton; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St., Worcester

How much : $30-$38; students $10; EBT/WIC/ConnectorCare $; youth 17 and under free. For EBT/WIC tickets, call the office at (508) 926-8624 to order. www.worcesterchambermusic.org

'Messiah Sing'

The annual "Messiah Sing" with the Assabet Valley Mastersingers is an eagerly anticipated opportunity for participants to sing the choruses of the Christmas portion of Handel’s "Messiah" and to enjoy talented soloists.

What : "Messiah Sing" — Assabet Valley Mastersingers

When : 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11

Where : First Church in Marlborough, 37 Main St., Marlborough

How much: $10 at the door. www.avmsingers.org

Collections

• Exhibitions
• Restoration
• Photo Gallery
• Private Photography
• Student Tour
• Adult Group Tour
• Private Events
• Public Tours
• Get Involved

SPECIAL HOURS:

Saturday, March 23 - Closed Sunday, March 31 - Closed

MUSEUM HOURS: Wednesday – Sunday Noon – 5:00 pm Guided Tours 1:00 and 3:00 pm

Last ticket sold one hour before closing each day.

Guided Tour reservations are strongly suggested. Call 515-274-1777 ext. 106 to reserve a time. 

Self-Guided tours available on a walk-in basis during open public hours.

For more information go to our  VISIT  page.

Salisbury House and Gardens

Many pieces displayed from a collection of 10,000

Salisbury House & Gardens in Des Moines, Iowa, is home to fine art, antique furniture, decorative art and musical instrument collections of international significance, as recognized by appraisers, peers in the museum field, collectors, and prominent media outlets. 

The collection that Carl and Edith Weeks acquired provide a rich repository for the study of world culture in all of its myriad, diverse forms, and demonstrates their commitment to promoting and empowering a literate, engaged citizenry. They built their home and collection in Des Moines with an eye toward future generations in Iowa and beyond, and the Salisbury House Foundation now works in their honor and memory to keep these treasures available and accessible to the public.

The halls of Salisbury House are lined with great works of art from such acclaimed artists as Anthony Van Dyck, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Sir Thomas Lawrence, Joseph Stella, Lillian Genth, Jean Despujol, George Romney, Eduard Charlemont, John Carroll, and Leon Kroll. The Weeks' support of then-contemporary artists such as Stella and Genth directly boosted their careers the 1920s. Stella's "Apotheosis of the Rose" and "The Birth of Venus" are two internationally-acclaimed works commissioned by the Weeks. Both remain in the Salisbury House & Gardens collection. Three of Lillian Genth's paintings hang in Salisbury House & Gardens as well, including a portrait of Edith Weeks.

While the remarkable architecture at Salisbury House may be the first thing to draw visitors in, the exceptional collections contained within its walls are what truly make this a one-of-a-kind historic house museum experience. You can expect surprises at every turn during a Salisbury House & Gardens visit, making a tour of our collections a "must see" experience whenever you visit Des Moines, Iowa.