Wistariahurst Museum

Wistariahurst Museum Wistariahurst is an educational and cultural center owned and operated by the City of Holyoke and supported by The Wistariahurst Foundation.

Wistariahurst Museum is dedicated to preserving Holyoke’s history and inspiring an appreciation of history and culture through educational programs, guided tours, exhibits and special events. Wistariahurst is dedicated to preserving Holyoke’s history and inspiring an appreciation of history and culture through educational programs, exhibits and special events. Listed on the National Register of Hi

storic Places, Wistariahurst is the former home of William Skinner, a prominent silk manufacturer and was built in 1874. Today, Wistariahurst offers a wide variety of public programs and events including: workshops, concerts, lectures and demonstrations and serves the community through educational programs, community partnerships, history projects, and outreach activities. More information is available at www.Wistariahurst.org

We're getting spooky at Wisty! Our volunteers painted some amazing-looking pumpkins today during our quarterly volunteer...
08/25/2026

We're getting spooky at Wisty! Our volunteers painted some amazing-looking pumpkins today during our quarterly volunteer meeting. Keep an eye on our calendar- we'll be posting about all the spooky tours and events we have in store for this October.

Join Wistariahurst Museum for an engaging discussion about the 2026 Massachusetts Great Reads title Nothing More of This...
08/23/2026

Join Wistariahurst Museum for an engaging discussion about the 2026 Massachusetts Great Reads title Nothing More of This Land: Community, Power, and the Search for Indigenous Identity by Joseph Lee.

The first book club meeting is happening September 8th from 5:30-6:30pm, discussing chapters 1-7.

Registered participants will receive a free copy of the book (while supplies last) and be invited to a virtual Q&A with the author! The Holyoke Public Library will have the author talk on the big screen in their conference room.

Register for the first book club meeting on Wistariahurst's Eventbrite page:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wisty-book-club-nothing-more-of-this-land-by-joseph-lee-week-1-tickets-1992769619576?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

From 1945 to 1959, Charles (Charlie) Linderme was the chauffeur for the Skinner-Kilborne family whenever they visited Ho...
08/21/2026

From 1945 to 1959, Charles (Charlie) Linderme was the chauffeur for the Skinner-Kilborne family whenever they visited Holyoke. He used to call Katharine Skinner-Kilborne “chief,” and he would later remember that she loved the nickname. He spent long hours driving Mrs. Kilborne, who hated flying and preferred to travel by car. He also claims that she did not like to go slow and especially hated being passed on the highway, so Charlie made sure that he was driving fast. When she moved back to Wistariahurst in 1950, following the death of her husband, Charlie became indispensable. During this time, he was given the responsibilities of managing the gardens and the small number of staff who remained, as the Skinner family began moving out of Holyoke. Regardless of whatever role he had to fill that day at Wistariahurst, he would always be dressed in a black suit with a white shirt.

Learn more about Charles Linderme and what life was like as a Skinner servant at the opening event for the Skinner Servants' Room!

Learn more on our Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1997174657162?aff=oddtdtcreator

Bring the whole family for a fun-filled afternoon of learning and activities at the opening event for the Skinner Servan...
08/20/2026

Bring the whole family for a fun-filled afternoon of learning and activities at the opening event for the Skinner Servants’ Room exhibit, happening August 29th from 12:00-2:00 pm. Enjoy this new, interactive exhibit, meet real-life Skinner servants themselves (portrayed by museum volunteers), and even take a photo in front of a Model T car!

Best of all, this event is free! Sign up on our Eventbrite page- we can't wait to see you there:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skinner-servants-room-exhibit-grand-opening-tickets-1997174657162?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/19/2026

Need a cozy place to read? Visit Wistariahurst Museum during our open hours Mondays 10 AM - 2 PM and Tuesdays from 4:30 - 6:30 PM. Our library is open for folks to come and enjoy for some relaxation in a historic space. Best of all, we’ve had many books donated to our little free library recently! Come take a book or leave a book!

It's a floor polisher! This tool is made up of a dense, short, broom with a cast iron weight. This tool would be used to...
08/19/2026

It's a floor polisher! This tool is made up of a dense, short, broom with a cast iron weight. This tool would be used to wax/polish floors before electric floor buffing. The cast iron weight would help apply pressure as the user spread the floor wax/polish.

Want to learn about other old household cleaning items? Visit Wistariahurst for the grand opening event for the Skinner Servants' Room on August 29th from 12:00-2:00pm!

Register for this free event on our Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1997174657162?aff=oddtdtcreator

What is this thing?? Wistariahurst Museum will be opening our Skinner Servants' room exhibit next week, full of informat...
08/18/2026

What is this thing?? Wistariahurst Museum will be opening our Skinner Servants' room exhibit next week, full of information on the servants who worked at Wistariahurst and some items they would use day to day.

Let us know what your guesses are- what is this item called and what was it used for? Stay tuned- we'll let you know tomorrow!

And don't miss the grand opening event for the Skinner Servants' Room exhibit on Saturday, August 29th from 12-2pm.

Learn about those who worked for the Skinner family at Wistariahurst at the new Skinner Servants' Room exhibit. The open...
08/16/2026

Learn about those who worked for the Skinner family at Wistariahurst at the new Skinner Servants' Room exhibit. The opening event for this permanent exhibit is happening Saturday, August 29th from 12- 2 p.m. Leading up to the opening, we are sharing the stories of some of the Skinner servants.

Pictured is George “Geo” Brakey was born on July 29th, 1873, to Joseph and Elizabeth (Irwin) Brakey. He moved to Holyoke around 1891 and was employed by the Skinner family as a coachman starting in 1894. His duties extended far beyond horses and cars. He was responsible for maintaining the grounds and security of Wistariahurst. George, with his wife, rented a house at 264 Pine Street from the Skinner family. His house phone was connected to Wistariahurst, and you can see that phone in the Butler’s Pantry on the first floor of Wistariahurst.

Learn more about George brakey and what life was like as a Skinner servant at the opening event for the Skinner Servants' Room!

Learn more on our Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1997174657162?aff=oddtdtcreator

The next Tabletop Tuesday coming up at Wistariahurst Museum on Tuesday, August 18th!Visit this historic museum to play b...
08/15/2026

The next Tabletop Tuesday coming up at Wistariahurst Museum on Tuesday, August 18th!
Visit this historic museum to play board games, DND, card games, or just have fun with family and friends.
Want guidance in learning a new game? A staff member will be present to host a featured game.

Entry to Tabletop Tuesday is donation-based, starting at just $1 per person. Every additional amount that guests donate supports the museum’s programming. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.

Register on Wistariahurst's Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1994332426975?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/14/2026

What’s happening at Wistariahurst??

Sunday Funday, book club, a plant sale and even a new permanent exhibit!!

Visit Wistariahurst.org to learn more about all our exciting events.

Address

238 Cabot Street
Holyoke, MA
01040

Telephone

+14133225660

Website

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