Massachusetts is full of history, from Boston to Lowell, and a history tour along the Lowell Commuter Rail can fill a day, or even a whole weekend. Buy a $10 Weekend Pass for unlimited trips Saturday through Sunday and take a trip on the Lowell Line. Visit museums, monuments, and memorials to learn about the state and nation’s past and gain a greater appreciation for how far we’ve come and where we might go next.
Discover History on the Lowell Line
The American Industrial Revolution was a major part in American history, and is even the reason the city of Lowell exists. About a mile from the train station is the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, where you can get an in-depth look at the textile industry and how the Industrial Revolution changed the country. Here you can learn about the Lowell Mill Girls and immigrants who worked in the mills, see working power looms, and gain a greater appreciation for how Lowell came to be.
243 Worthen St, Lowell, MA 01852
The birthplace of famous American artist James McNeill Whistler, the Whistler House Museum of Art is well worth a visit. The house was built in 1823 and Whistler was born there in 1834, making it one of the most historic houses in Lowell. It’s a must-see for art history connoisseurs, as the first and second floors showcase the museum’s permanent collection of artworks, including an entire room dedicated to the etchings of Whistler himself.
71 Faulkner St, North Billerica, MA 01862
Open only on weekends, the Middlesex Canal Museum and Visitor Center is right by the train station, so it’s an excellent spot to visit. The museum was created to preserve and illuminate the history of the Middlesex Canal. This canal made a huge impact on the early commercial viability of New England, as it was the superhighway of its day and played a major role in the Industrial Revolution. While at the museum, you’ll also be treated to a stunning view of the Middlesex Canal and the Talbot Dam, allowing you to appreciate the beauty that goes with the industrial icon.
Open year-round and less than a mile from North Station, the Paul Revere House was the colonial home of American patriot and Founding Father Paul Revere and is now a museum to his legacy. This house is where he set out to warn his fellow patriots of the British Redcoats’ arrival on the night of April 18, 1775, which started the American Revolution. Much of the house has been preserved and restored to look as it did in the 18th century and is the perfect place to learn about the famous silversmith with self-guided tours.
Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charleston, 02129
There are few ships more iconic in American history than the USS Constitution, also known as “Old Ironsides.” Check out the USS Constitution Museum where you can learn and experience the ship’s history as it comes alive. Sail through three centuries of the USS Constitution’s history from its early beginnings in the United States’ Navy, to the War of 1812, to the diplomatic voyages it made as it became a national icon. With nearly 2,000 artifacts and over 10,000 archival records, the museum is home to the most comprehensive collection of material related to “Old Ironsides.”
The Museum of African American History is New England’s largest museum dedicated to preserving, conserving, and interpreting the contributions of African Americans to our country’s history. Its Boston location includes the Abiel Smith School, the African Meeting House, and the Black Heritage Trail. With first-class exhibits, galleries, tours, and educational programs you’ll discover the story of abolition, equal education, and the missing pages of America’s history.