Old Ordinary Museum

Send to Friend

Write Review

Report Error

Museums

Official Website: Old Ordinary Museum
Location: 21 Lincoln Street, Hingham, MA, 02043 map
Phone:(617) 749-0013
In/Outdoor: Indoor
Cost: $

Others to Consider: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Old Statehouse Museum, National Heritage Museum, Harvard Museum of Natural History, Old Sturbridge Village

A visit to the Old Ordinary is a step back in time through three hundred years. This fourteen room house museum contains an extensive collection of period furniture export porcelain, glass, paintings, textiles, tools, and artifacts of Hingham history.

The original structure dates from 1680 and was built as a 'one room' house, meaning one ground floor room, one room above, and an attic. Additions were made in 1740 and 1760, and special exhibition rooms have been added in recent years. The building has been visited and studied by architectural historians, and photographs of interior details appear in the book, 'The Framed Houses of Massachusetts Bay'.

During its history the house has had many owners; several were tavern keepers. Thus, the name the Old Ordinary, which provided an ordinary meal of the day at a fixed price. The tap room provides a glimpse of this aspect of the house set up as it would have been showing the bar, serving items, tables and chairs.

The hallway leading to the exhibition room displays the extensive collection of samplers, and the exhibition room holds musical instruments, paintings, and furniture. Often pieces from the costume collection are displayed here.

The remaining rooms downstairs, all designed and furnished for the period include an eighteenth century parlor, kitchen, tool room, and small library. The first floor exhibition room is used for special exhibits throughout the season affording the Hingham Historical Society the opportunity to display the many items in its collection.

Don't miss the house's beautiful garden. Its design is attributed to Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr., and it is maintained and cared for by the Garden Club of Hingham.

The Hingham Historical Society and the Old Ordinary House Committee welcome visitors to this exceptional house museum.

Schedule and Admissions
The house is open mid June through mid September
Tuesday through Saturday 1:30 to 4:30 pm or by appointment.

Cost
Adults - $3.00
Children under 12 - $1.00
Hingham Historical Society members - free

Special tours are available for groups. Arrangements may be made by calling 617-749-0013 or by writing to The Old Ordinary, Box 434, Hingham MA 02043.

Directions
From Boston or Plymouth
Route 3 to Route 228(exit ). Take Route 228 north approximately X miles to Main Street and follow Main Street to North Street. Left on North Street to Lincoln Street. Right on Lincoln Street to 21 Lincoln street.

From Weymouth, Cohasset, Scituate
Route 3A to North Street at Hingham Harbor. South on North Street to Lincoln Street. Right on Lincoln Street to 21 Lincoln street.