Updated January 1, 2014: The Higgins Armory Museum is closed forever.  Some of the items will be on display a the Worcester Art Museum in the future.

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The Higgins Armory Museum closes in a few days, and I can’t think of a better or more important “present” than making a trip to see this world-class collection of arms and armor—one of the three best in the Americas—in a purpose-built building that will soon close its doors.

The Higgins is no typical museum, and after hearing a detailed briefing on the planned display of a few pieces of the collection in their new home at the Worcester Art Museum in 2014, anyone who is interested in seeing a large number of the pieces, walking through the great hall next to jousting nights on mounts, must go now.  While the collection will be going across town, the experience of the Higgins and the ability to see a large part of the collection in such a magnificent setting will soon be gone forever.  (The “current thinking” from the Worcester Art Museum includes a large gallery space in the year “2019+.”  More information about the decision to close is on the museum’s site and in this Boston Globe article from March 8, 2013.)

John Woodman Higgins began building the Higgins in 1929 to house his beloved collection, and the armory opened to the public in 1931.  These are, literally, the Higgins museum’s final hours—as I post this, there are 54 34 hours left—and your last chance to see the collection there.

Their calendar lists daily activities, including special events during vacation week.

If you have any doubt about the unique experience that is the Higgins, take a close look at the pictures below, then give yourself and your family a very special present this year: Take them to see the Higgins.  While the Higgins will be gone forever, your memories will last a lifetime.

December

20 Friday 10 am – 4 pm
21 Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
22 Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm

23 Monday 10 am – 4 pm
24 Tuesday Closed
25 Wednesday Closed
26 Thursday 10 am – 4 pm
27 Friday 10 am – 4 pm
28 Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
29 Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm

30 Monday 10 am – 4 pm
31 Tuesday 10 am – 3:45 pm

Note: The staff recommends visiting around 12 pm or 12: 30 pm.  They report that they usually have a line out the door when the museums opens in the morning.

 

 

Planning your visit (taken from their site):

Higgins Armory Museum
100 Barber Avenue
Worcester, MA 01606

Admission
Adults (age 17+) $12.00
Seniors (age 60+) $10.00
College Students (with ID) $9.00
Children (age 4 to 16) $8.00
Children age 3 and under are FREE
Members enjoy FREE admission to the museum for a whole year.

Special Senior Citizen Discount: Tuesdays are Senior Days at Higgins Armory. If you are 60 and older, you will be admitted for an extra dollar off the senior price every Tuesday (that’s just $9.00 per senior). You’ll also receive a 10% discount on all purchases in our Museum Store (excluding clearance). Offer only valid on purchases made on Tuesdays from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Be sure to mention this offer at the admission desk and in the Museum Store. No other discounts can be used in conjunction with either discount. Offer does not apply to group or special program admission rates.

Public WOO CardCollege WOO Card: Show your WOO Card and Save
Public Woo Card: Save $2 off Adult General Admission
College Woo Card: Save $5 off Adult General Admission

Tips to make the best of your visit

• Your touch, though meant to explore, will damage the arms and armor. Please do not to touch any of the objects in our collection. Visit Castle Quest, our large hands-on exhibit, for arms and armor that can be touched!
• Children age 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• Photography is encouraged! Tripods are only permitted with special permission or during our Arms and Artists program.
• Service animals are welcome, but pets should stay home.
• Large bags and coats are not permitted in the galleries. Please leave these items in our cloakroom or, for security, in your car during your visit.
• Food and beverages are not allowed in the galleries. Snacks and drinks are available in the Museum Store. Our Information Desk staff would be happy to help you locate a restaurant nearby.
• Smoking is not permitted in the museum.

Directions

From Boston
Take the I-90/Mass Pike West to Exit 11A, I-495 North. Take I-495 North to Exit 25B, I-290 West. Take I-290 West to Exit 19, I-190 North. Take I-190 North to Exit 1, Rt. 12 North. Follow Rt. 12 North for ¼ mile, Greendale Mall will be on the right. Stay in right lane over the railroad bridge. Take first right after bridge onto Barber Avenue (no street sign).
Travel less than ¼ mile straight ahead to the museum, a four-story glass and steel building with pennants and a knight on the roof.

From New Hampshire and the North Shore
Take 1-495 South to Exit 25B, I-290 West. Take I-290 West to Exit 19, I-190 North. Take I-190 North to Exit 1, Rt. 12 North. Follow Rt. 12 North for ¼ mile, Greendale Mall will be on the right. Stay in right lane over the railroad bridge. Take first right after bridge onto Barber Avenue (no street sign). Travel less than ¼ mile straight ahead to the museum, a four-story glass and steel building with pennants and a knight on the roof.

From Providence, RI
Take Rt. 146 North to I-290 East. Take I-290 East to Exit 19, I-190 North. Take I-190 North to Exit 1, Rt. 12 North. Follow Rt. 12 North for ¼ mile, Greendale Mall will be on the right. Stay in right lane over the railroad bridge. Take first right after bridge onto Barber Avenue (no street sign). Travel less than ¼ mile straight ahead to the museum, a four-story glass and steel building with pennants and a knight on the roof.

From Albany, NY and Springfield, MA
Take I-90 East/Mass Pike to Exit 10, I-290 East. Take I-290 East to Exit 19, I-190 North. Take I-190 North to Exit 1, Rt. 12 North. Follow Rt. 12 North for ¼ mile, Greendale Mall will be on the right. Stay in right lane over the railroad bridge. Take first right after bridge onto Barber Avenue (no street sign).Travel less than ¼ mile straight ahead to the museum, a four-story glass and steel building with pennants and a knight on the roof.

From New York City, NY and Hartford, CT
Take I-84 East to I-90 East/Mass Pike. Take I-90 East/Mass Pike to Exit 10, I-290 East. Take I-290 East to Exit 19, I-190 North. Take I-190 North to Exit 1, Rt. 12 North. Follow Rt. 12 North for ¼ mile, Greendale Mall will be on the right. Stay in right lane over the railroad bridge. Take first right after bridge onto Barber Avenue (no street sign). Travel less than ¼ mile straight ahead to the museum, a four-story glass and steel building with pennants and a knight on the roof.

From Fitchburg/Leominster, MA
Take I-190 South to Exit 1, Rt. 12 South. Take second left and then left again onto Gold Star Boulevard/Rt. 12 North. Follow Rt. 12 North for ¼ mile, Greendale Mall will be on the right. Stay in right lane over the railroad bridge. Take first right after bridge onto Barber Avenue (no street sign). Travel less than ¼ mile straight ahead to the museum, a four-story glass and steel building with pennants and a knight on the roof.