To spot the Old Colony History Museum, look for a two-story old brick building with arched windows and a small square cupola on the roof-just behind the large white and red sign on your left.
Welcome to the Old Colony History Museum, where the whispers of the past mingle with the crisp Taunton breeze. Picture yourself back in 1852, as the newly designed Bristol Academy opens its doors, crafted by Richard Upjohn-the very same architect who designed the famous Trinity Church in New York. Back then, you might have heard the chatter of eager students and the ring of the school bell cutting through the morning air. Fast forward to 1926: the old academy becomes a home for countless treasures of the region-rare artifacts, ancient documents, and photographs telling stories you never knew Taunton had. In these walls, you can almost hear the scratch of pens in the genealogy research library or the excited gasps as families uncover secrets from their own past. Each autumn, the lawn outside comes alive during the Liberty and Union Festival, as the community celebrates the daring 1774 flag-raising that declared Taunton’s rebel spirit. So, before you head off, imagine all the lives and stories tucked inside these bricks-a place where history isn’t just displayed, it’s alive and kicking!
