The Old Colony History Museum has announced the return of its beloved "Passport to History" program for the summer of 2023. The exciting program, which offers free admission to over eighteen museums and historic sites throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, aims to promote the region's rich history and cultural heritage by bringing you on an adventure through time!
The Passport to History program is a great way to motivate your family to get excited about learning about the history of their own backyard and gain a deeper appreciation for our region's unique heritage. Plus, to make the adventure extra fun, visitors who collect all of their history stamps can return to the Old Colony History Museum for a free gift!
Why "Old Colony"?
"All of the museums participating in the program reside within the boundaries of what was known as the Old Colony. The term Old Colony refers to the area of southeastern Massachusetts that was once Plymouth Colony. Plymouth Colony existed as a separate entity until its merger with the larger Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691. Then the area became known as “Old Plymouth Colony” until it was finally shortened to “Old Colony.” Home to humans for at least 10,000 years before Europeans settled the area in 1620, the land today encompasses Plymouth, Bristol, and Barnstable counties." - Old Colony History Museum
How to Begin Your "Passport to History" Adventure
To join the fun and begin your Passport to History journey, you're invited to start at any of the participating sites (see the list below) and ask for your passport. The passport features a page for each location, and visitors can redeem it for free admission for up to a group of four. "Passport holders are invited to then visit as many locations as possible to have their passport stamped," explains the 2023 program details.
The Passport to History website also includes a curated list of "Day Trips" highlighting local places to eat and other sites to see. This can help turn your trip into a family-friendly adventure filled with fun activities!
Participating "Passport to History" Sites
- Alden House Historic Site
- Attleboro Area Industrial Museum
- Berkley Historical Society
- Carpenter Museum / Rehoboth Historical Society
- Fall River Historical Society
- Fearing Tavern / Wareham Historical Society
- Fisher-Richardson House / Mansfield Historical Society
- Fuller Craft Museum
- Historical Society of Santuit & Cotuit
- Jenney Interpretive Centre
- Lafayette-Durfee House
- Memorial Building / Old Bridgewater Historical Society
- Military Museum / Ft. Taber Ft. Rodman Historical Association
- Museums on the Green / Falmouth Historical Society
- Old Colony History Museum
- Paragon Park Museum
- Robbins Museum of Archaeology / Massachusetts Archaeological Society, Inc.
- Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum
“All passport holders will gain the greatest prize of all – a deeper love and understanding of our past and the rich local history of Southeastern Massachusetts.” - Old Colony History Museum
For more information about the program, visit the Passport to History website at https://www.oldcolonyhistorymuseum.org/explore/passport-to-history/.
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