“Walked over our little territory of woodland, vale, meadow, and pasture, — all beautiful, the hills commanding one of the most expansive prospects in the country… One is transported from his littleness and the soul expands in such a region of sights and sounds… “

Sitting atop Prospect Hill in Harvard, MA, Fruitlands Museum encompasses more than 200 acres that have been shaped by the many generations who have passed through, profited from, lived off of, hunted, worked, farmed, and changed the land once known as the “valley of the Nashaway.”

A National Landmark and Historic District, Fruitlands’ site includes the original farmhouse that was the site of the 1843 Fruitlands experiment led by Bronson Alcott. This land is also home to the world’s first Shaker Museum, a Native American gallery, and a fine art gallery. Our Museum is one of the few early representations of an outdoor museum in America.

Recognized as one of Fruitlands most valuable assets, the surrounding landscape reveals over 5,000 years of change, embodies an important evolution of American natural and cultural history, and stewards seven collections that includes more than 6,000 objects. Changing exhibits encourage diverse perspectives, provide new ways of looking at the familiar, excite visitors about the land, and inspire people to make singular discoveries about who we are as a people and nation.