Historic Deerfield, Inc., is dedicated to the heritage and preservation of Deerfield, Massachusetts and the Connecticut River Valley. Historic Deerfield, Inc., which maintains more than 50 buildings in Old Deerfield, focuses on the significance of small-town America to the national culture. Founded in 1952, the museum includes 12 historic houses, which are regularly open to the public as well as the exhibition building, the Flynt Center of Early New England Life. It stewards a nationally significant collection of approximately 28,000 household artifacts both rare and common – including furniture, metalwares, textiles, needlework, ceramics, and more – many with documented histories of local ownership or manufacture. These authentic objects document the stories and founding years of our nation, and through them, visitors learn the stories of generations of real people whose beliefs, belongings, lifestyles, conflicts, economy, and technology unlock the door to the past and help us to better understand today.
The Josiah Dwight House, built around 1725, features striking architectural elements, such as window, door, and dormer pediments as well as a brightly colored facade. Once used as a rooming house, the home originally stood in Springfield, Massachusetts, but was later moved to Deerfield after the structure was threatened with demolition.
Memorial Libraries
Open Tuesday – Friday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Museum Gift Shop & Bookstore
Open Wednesday- Monday (Closed Tuesdays) 10:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m.
The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day.
• A free orientation film is shown throughout the day at the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern.
• Museum Houses Guided Tours start on the hour.
• Two museum houses are open all day for self-guided tours.
• The Apprentice’s Workshop at Dwight House is open for demonstrations from 12:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Plan your visit using our village map.
Winter Hours
Historic Deerfield’s winter hours go into effect on Monday, December 24. The Flynt Center of Early New England Life will be open Saturdays and Sundays, December 29, 2018 – April 9, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy current exhibitions and “The Museum’s Attic” gallery. The Henry N. Flynt Library will be open Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The Museum Gift Shop & Bookstore is open every day except Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The museum will reopen for the 2019 Season on Saturday, April 13, 2019.
Seasonal Winter Admission: $7 Adults, $5 Youth (ages 6-17), under 6, Deerfield/South Deerfield residents, and members free. Historic Deerfield’s museum houses are closed to the public during the winter months (January-mid-April), however pre-arranged tours-by-appointment, school tours and group tours are scheduled.
Historic Trade Demonstration: Powder Horn Carving with Laurie McCarthy Powder Horn Carving Demonstration with Laurie McCarthy November 16, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at Hall Tavern Laurie McCarthy is an artist and reenactor. Join us for powder horn carving with Laurie McCarthy. Included with general admission. View Event → Historic Trade Demonstration: Gravestone Carving with Allison Steel […]
Historic Trade Demonstration: A Gown in a Day with Emily Stringham A Gown in a Day with Emily Stringham November 9, 10 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Hall Tavern Join Emily Stringham, owner of At the Sign of the Golden Scissors, and her apprentice Erin Jarrett to learn about 18th-century women’s fashions and sewing techniques and […]
Reawakening Materials: American Art, Empire, and Material Histories in Historic Deerfield’s Collection Needlework: “Death of General Wolfe,” Margaret Ansell, Tottenham, England, c. 1774-1776. Textile: worsted wool, linen; wood: pine; gesso, bole and gold leaf; glass framed: 22 1/8 x 29 x 2 5/8 in. Historic Deerfield, HD 66.198. In-Person Registration Virtual Registration Join […]
Come learn about historic textiles, and bring your own to be identified by renowned weaver/textile historian Rabbit Goody of Thistle Hill Weavers in New York! This special event will begin with an introductory talk on historic textiles, available via Zoom, after which Rabbit Goody will conduct 20-minute individual examinations of textiles brought in by attendees ($10 surcharge, […]
Historic Trade Demonstration: Tinsmithing with Richard Eckert Tinsmithing with Richard Eckert November 2, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Hall Tavern Join us for tinsmithing with Richard Eckert. Included in general admission. View Event → Historic Trade Demonstration: Woodworking with Sharon Mehrman Woodworking with Sharon Mehrman November 2, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Apprentice’s Workshop Join us for woodworking with […]
Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration: Time for Pie Pie was a common staple in the early New England kitchen. Come visit with our open hearth cook and see what pies are on the menu!
Meet at the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern for a spooky walk through the village to hear ghost stories of Deerfield. A Tour Leader will take your group on a walk to meet characters who will tell you stories of Deerfield’s fascinating history and mysterious past. You will encounter historical storytellers waiting in doorways and […]
Old Burying Ground Guided Tours October 12, 19, 26 at 3:00 p.m. starting at Hall Tavern Meet your guide at the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern and enjoy a walking tour past the Town Common and the Old Burying Ground on Albany Road. Included with Museum Admission.
Gravestone Carving with Karin Sprague Gravestone Carving with Karin Sprague October 26, 10a.m.–4p.m. Hall Tavern Watch and learn about the historic trade of gravestone carving, in a demonstration from expert stone-carver, Karin Sprague. Included with general admission. Graveyards and Gravestones Join us for this all-day event of immersion in the world of graveyards and gravestones, […]
Meet at the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern for a spooky walk through the village to hear ghost stories of Deerfield. A Tour Leader will take your group on a walk to meet characters who will tell you stories of Deerfield’s fascinating history and mysterious past. You will encounter historical storytellers waiting in doorways and […]
Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration: Indigenous Foods, The Three Sisters, and the Fall Harvest Oct. 4, 5 ,11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 25, 26 from 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Hall Tavern Come visit our open-hearth cooks as they prepare “traditional” New England dishes made with Indigenous ingredients such as corn, beans, and squash.
Meet at the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern for a spooky walk through the village to hear ghost stories of Deerfield. A Tour Leader will take your group on a walk to meet characters who will tell you stories of Deerfield’s fascinating history and mysterious past. You will encounter historical storytellers waiting in doorways and […]
Old Burying Ground Guided Tours October 12, 19, 26 at 3:00 p.m. starting at Hall Tavern Meet your guide at the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern and enjoy a walking tour past the Town Common and the Old Burying Ground on Albany Road. Included with Museum Admission.
Historic Trade Demonstration: White Pine Bark and Ash Bark Basketmaking with Jennifer Lee Come enjoy our Historic Trade Demonstration: White Pine and Ash Bark Basket Making with Jennifer Lee. Historic Trade Demonstration: Architectural Woodworking Featuring Joinery with Ted Ingraham Architectural Woodworking Featuring Joinery with Ted Ingraham October 19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Apprentice’s Workshop Join us […]
Meet at the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern for a spooky walk through the village to hear ghost stories of Deerfield. A Tour Leader will take your group on a walk to meet characters who will tell you stories of Deerfield’s fascinating history and mysterious past. You will encounter historical storytellers waiting in doorways and […]
Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration: Indigenous Foods, The Three Sisters, and the Fall Harvest Oct. 4, 5 ,11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 25, 26 from 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Hall Tavern Come visit our open-hearth cooks as they prepare “traditional” New England dishes made with Indigenous ingredients such as corn, beans, and squash. Wampanoag Cookery with Angela […]
Woodworking Featuring Furniture Making and Carving with Craig Farrow Woodworking Featuring Furniture Making and Carving with Craig Farrow October 12 and 13 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. each day. Join us at the for woodworking with Craig Farrow. Included in general admission. Historic Trade Demonstration: Redware Pottery with Rick Hamelin Redware Pottery with Rick Hamelin October […]
Meet at the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern for a spooky walk through the village to hear ghost stories of Deerfield. A Tour Leader will take your group on a walk to meet characters who will tell you stories of Deerfield’s fascinating history and mysterious past. You will encounter historical storytellers waiting in doorways and […]
Old Burying Ground Guided Tours October 12, 19, 26 at 3:00 p.m. starting at Hall Tavern Meet your guide at the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern and enjoy a walking tour past the Town Common and the Old Burying Ground on Albany Road. Included with Museum Admission.
Storyteller! A Peddler’s Pack of Spooky Tales presented by Dennis Picard While researching various topics in town records, journals, and old newspapers Dennis Picard has been surprised at finding stories of the supernatural. Tales of witches, vampires and weird occurrences are mixed in with otherwise mundane daily records. Picard has saved these stories in his […]
