Joseph Allen Skinner Museum, Cabinet of curiosities in South Hadley, United States.
The Joseph Allen Skinner Museum holds over 7,000 varied objects ranging from historical rifles to Native American artifacts, ship models, and early American household tools. The collection spans many areas of life, displaying everything from practical kitchen items to decorative craft work and weapons used throughout American history.
The building was originally a First Congregational Church from Prescott, Massachusetts, relocated to South Hadley in 1930 when the Quabbin Reservoir was being constructed. This relocation was part of a larger displacement of many structures throughout the region during that period.
Mount Holyoke College operates the collection, and visitors can see how American households and daily life looked in the 19th century. The displayed items show what people valued and considered important enough to keep in their homes.
The museum sits north of Mount Holyoke College along route 116 and is accessible via PVTA bus routes 38 and 39. Plan to spend time browsing the many different objects and collection areas at your own pace.
The collection features a parlor dome from 1845 showing American birds, handcrafted by Lucius Hyde using glass, wood, feathers, cloth, and wire. This piece shows the skill and patience that earlier artisans put into decorative work for home interiors.
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