United States Destinations

Cultural Worcester is in heart of New England

By Steve and Caroline Lake

Photo courtesy of Worcester Art Museum

Nestled between seven hills in the centre of Massachusetts, Worcester is in the heart of New England. It is the second largest city in the state and a melting pot of culture that includes 13 colleges and universities and a world-class museum.

The internationally renowned Worcester Art Museum explores human creativity through 50 centuries. It has a laudable tradition of exhibiting, preserving, collecting and interpreting art through the ages, and has a collection of nearly 40,000 art objects.

In the early part of the 20th century the museum was the first in America to purchase paintings by Monet and Gauguin. Contemporary art is exhibited alongside ancient and medieval art, giving visitors a different experience than most museums.

There are also sculpture exhibits and silver items created by Paul Revere. The Worcester Art Museum in conjunction with several colleges offers one of the largest scholarship programs in the United States.

The Salisbury Mansion, built in 1772, has been beautifully restored to its appearance in the 1830s. The mansion is now open to visitors and provides a glimpse back in time. On exhibit are original artworks and furnishings from that period.

The Beechwood is a unique luxury boutique hotel. The circular structure is set in lush landscaping. Its entry foyer boasts a fireplace with an antique mantel and a magnificent stained glass window. The elegance continues into the beautifully appointed guest rooms, replete with Frette linens.

The Maria Gill Wilson Room, popular for weddings and receptions, features a carved wood ceiling, wainscoting and a beautiful stained glass window. Originally this was the Maria Gill Wilson Chapel that was part of the old Worcester City Hospital and the preservation of the greatly admired chapel adds a historic touch to the room.

The Harlequin Restaurant on the lower level of the hotel serves fine cuisine with an award-winning menu and extensive wine list.

Maxwell Silverman’s Toolhouse Restaurant, built in the cellar of an old former tool house, is a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The food is great and the atmosphere delightful. Brick walls, floors made from old railroad ties, a 40-foot bar, and doors and tables made from salvaged lanes of bowling alleys are a part of the imaginative decor. Scattered throughout the restaurant are restored machines, tools and wine barrels. A hydrant is used at the bar for beer on tap. A disc jockey spins records, mostly oldies and patrons are encouraged to dance.

Worcester, in the very heart of New England has a lot to offer and is a great place to visit on a New England tour.

For information:

• Worcester County Convention and Visitors Bureau
866-755-7439
508-755-7400
www.centralmass.org

• Worcester Art Museum
508-799-4406
www.worcesterart.org

• Beechwood Hotel
800-344-2589
508-754-5789
www.beechwoodhotel.com

• Maxwell Silverman’s
508-755-1200
www.maxwellmaxine.com