vintage photo of the Higgins’ historic art-deco building
On December 21, 2013, sixty or so SCA folk visited the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts. With most dressed in armor or garb, they gathered to say goodbye to the historic facility before it closes at the end of the month.
Throughout its 83 years, the museum’s extensive collection of arms and armor has been a treasure for researchers — especially those of us interested in the middle ages. The museum remains in full operation in its current historic art-deco building until it closes on December 31, 2013. In January 2014, the collection will be transfered to the Worcester Art Museum.
some of the SCA folk who visited Dec. 21, 2013
vintage photo of the great hall
I am so very very sad that this museum is closing. Such good people, such good history, but trapped in a historic building that is the definition of a money-pit, it was a long and capable struggle.
They were a good friend to the SCA – I even ran a sort-of-event with them, and it was marvelous.
As mentioned to other friends – seeing the collection in a different building will not be the same. The armor will simply move someplace else, (and we will try to visit the Worcester Art Museum once the collection has been shifted), but the interior of the Higgins Armory Museum is not one easily replicated.
Thanks to the curators, staff, and Higgins family who have maintained the original museum for so many years.