12 Living History Museums in the Northeast

Have you ever wanted to see how people lived in the past? You might be familiar with the major historical events of certain eras, but what was day-to-day life actually like? These living history museums can help you travel back in time with the use of reenactments, architectural preservation, live artisans and hands-on activities.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Massachusetts

Live the elementary-school fantasy of dumping tea in the harbor at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. You can learn from live actors, take part in interactive exhibits and explore full-scale replicas of the ships. AAA members can save on admission.

Pioneer Village

Massachusetts

Billed as the oldest living history museum in America, Salem’s Pioneer Village invites visitors to travel to the year 1630. It’s almost 100 years old itself – as it was originally constructed in 1930. It was even featured in the movie “Hocus Pocus,” representing the home of Thackery Binx. The village is open seasonally for self-guided tours, and usually features special events for October.

Plimoth Patuxet

Massachusetts

Turn the clock back to pilgrim times at Pimoth Patuxet, which recreates Plymouth Colony and the home of the indigenous Patuxet people. Here, you can speak with knowledgeable interpreters in full costume, learn the truth about the first Thanksgiving and even climb aboard a replica of a 17^th century ship. AAA members can get up to $4 off admission.

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Old Sturbridge Village

Massachusetts

Visit the 19^th century in Old Sturbridge Village, which boasts over 40 historic buildings across its 240 acres. In fact, it’s the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast. You can see craft demonstrations, participate in interactive workshops, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, tour the beautiful gardens and more.

Coggeshall Farm Museum

Rhode Island

In partnership with Old Sturbridge Village, Coggeshall Farm Museum takes visitors back to the daily experience of a tenant salt marsh farmer in the late 18^th century. This coastal farmland, which stretches across 48 acres, features historic structures, heritage-breed animals, heirloom plants and costumed interpreters.

Strawbery Banke Museum

New Hampshire

Strawbery Banke Museum (yes, it’s spelled correctly) features dozens of historic structures and gardens that take visitors on a tour from the 17^th to the 20^th centuries. Interpreters dressed as shop owners, gardeners and immigrants help visitors learn about how life changed throughout the years.

Mystic Seaport Museum

Connecticut

Learn all about the rich maritime history of New England at the Mystic Seaport Museum, which recreates a historical fishing village and working shipyard. The museum includes over 500 watercrafts with four National Historic Landmark vessels among them. Climb aboard a wooden whaleship, meet skilled artisans and learn from history interpreters.

Old Bethpage Village Restoration

New York

Long Island’s Old Bethpage Village Restoration, set from 1765-1865, consists of 36 historical houses, barns and shops. Get a glass of root beer in the working tavern, churn some butter, see a craft demonstration at the blacksmith, or catch an old-timey baseball game in full historical dress.

Fenimore Farm

New York

Cooperstown might be best-known for the Baseball Hall of Fame, but it also features the sprawling Fenimore Farm. Previously known as the Farmers’ Museum, Fenimore Farm and Country Village recreates rural life from the 19^th century. You can explore more than two dozen period buildings, including a farmstead, pharmacy, tavern, printing office, general store, blacksmith and more. You can also ride the Empire State Carousel while you’re there.

Genesee Country Village and Museum

New York

The Genesee Country Village and Museum is the largest living history museum in New York, featuring 68 buildings illustrating life in the 19^th century. The museum is separated into three different periods as you stroll through the 1800s. The village’s costumed educators and artisans even demonstrate period-appropriate crafts like pottery, barrel-making, blacksmithing and baking.

Allaire State Park

New Jersey

At Allaire State Park, you can ride an old-fashioned steam train or explore the Historic Village at Allaire, an iron-making community from the 19^th century. The park also has a network of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

Howell Living History Farm

New Jersey

The Howell Living History Farm, set in the year 1900, features events like maple sugaring, cider pressing, beekeeping demonstrations, sheep shearing and more. On any given Saturday, there’s bound to be something interesting going on.

Have you ever been to a living history museum? What was it like? Tell us about your trip to the past in the comments below!

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