Fruitlands Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fruitlands Museums Historic District
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Fruitlands Museum
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Harvard, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 210 acres (85 ha) |
| Built | 1910 |
| Architectural style | Shingle Style, Bungalow/Craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000439 |
| Added to NRHP | May 23, 1997 |
Fruitlands Museum is a special place in Harvard, Massachusetts. It's a museum that explores different ideas about America's past. The museum is built on the land where a unique community called Fruitlands once existed. This community was a "utopian" place, meaning people tried to create a perfect society there.
The museum has several interesting parts. You can visit the original Fruitlands farmhouse, which is a very important historical building. There's also a museum about the Shakers, who were another interesting group of people. You can see beautiful 19th-century landscape paintings and learn about Native American history. In 2023, readers of USA Today even voted Fruitlands as one of the top ten history museums in the United States!
When you visit, you can explore the farmhouse. It looks just like it did in the 1840s. You'll learn about a way of thinking called Transcendentalism and about the Alcott family. Fruitlands also has new art shows, talks, outdoor concerts, and easy walking trails. There's a museum shop and a restaurant too. The museum is now managed by The Trustees of Reservations.
Contents
The Story of Fruitlands
How the Fruitlands Community Started
The original Fruitlands community began in May 1843. It was inspired by Transcendentalism, a belief system that focused on nature and individual thought. Amos Bronson Alcott and Charles Lane had ideas for a new way of living. Lane bought 90 acres of land for this experiment.
People who wanted to join the community moved in the next month. They optimistically named the place "Fruitlands." This was a bit funny because there were only a few apple trees there! The community wanted to be self-sufficient. This meant they would grow all their own food and not hire any workers.
Why the Community Didn't Last
The Fruitlands community faced many challenges. Growing enough crops to feed everyone was very difficult. Because of these problems, people started to leave the community. Some members moved away as early as October 1843. Lane and Alcott, the founders, left in January 1844. The community lasted for only a short time.
How Fruitlands Became a Museum
Many years later, in 1910, a woman named Clara Endicott Sears bought the property. She was a "preservationist," meaning she worked to save historical places. Sears opened the farmhouse to the public in 1914, turning it into a museum.
Thanks to Sears, the museum grew over time. Besides the original Fruitlands farmhouse, it now includes a Shaker house. This house was moved from a nearby Shaker village. The museum also displays artifacts from Native American history. You can also see paintings from the Hudson River School, a group of famous American landscape artists.
Past Events at Fruitlands
From 2015 to 2019, Fruitlands hosted an amateur cyclocross race. This was a bike race known for its tough, muddy course. It became a favorite event for cyclocross riders in New England. No race was held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No further races have been scheduled since then.
Fruitlands and The Trustees of Reservations
Working Together for the Future
For many years, from 1930 until 2016, Fruitlands was its own independent organization. In 2016, the museum joined forces with The Trustees of Reservations. The Trustees are a group that protects important natural and historical places.
This partnership was a great idea because both organizations want to connect people with nature, art, and culture. They also want to help people of all ages learn and get involved. The Trustees help Fruitlands continue to grow and share its important history and collections.
Leadership at the Museum
Michael Busack became the museum director in 2019. In 2021, Jessica May was appointed to oversee art and exhibitions. She is responsible for both Fruitlands and the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. This helps bring even more exciting art and cultural experiences to visitors.
See also
