Worcester Art Museum to Unveil Expansive New Arms and Armor Galleries in 2025 (Spanning Approx. 5,000 Sq. Feet, Part of a $6 Million Project)NEW

The Worcester Art Museum (WAM) is set to open its new Arms and Armor Galleries in late 2025. This $6 million project aims to showcase the museum's extensive collection of arms and armor, the second largest in the Americas, in a 5,000-square-foot space. The new installation will allow almost the entire collection to be on view, featuring over 1,000 objects from various historical periods and regions.

Date of Exhibitions
The new Arms and Armor Galleries will open in late 2025.
June 16, 2024, a public talk will be hosted to offer a first glimpse at the new galleries.

Project Details
• Size: The galleries will span approximately 5,000 square feet.
• Location: The galleries will be centrally located on the Museum’s second floor, previously the library space.
• Design: Created by TSKP x IKD in collaboration with Jeffrey L. Forgeng, WAM leadership, and various scholars and educators.
• Objects on View: More than 1,000 pieces, including highlights like a Japanese sea conch shell helmet, a Roman gladiator helmet, and gauntlets for Prince Philip of Spain.
• Features: The new galleries will have innovative installations, an open storage system, and hands-on programming and demonstrations.
• Funding: The project is funded by public and private donors, with $5.5 million raised so far, and is part of WAM’s $125 million "A Bold Step Forward" campaign.

Accessibility and Engagement
• The Museum aims to enhance accessibility and engagement with hands-on interactives, digital tools, and live interpretations, including costumed presentations of knights and samurai.

Quote from Leadership
Matthias Waschek, WAM’s Director, emphasized the importance of the project in preserving the collection and offering insights into the artistry and technology behind arms and armor, aligning with the Museum’s mission of learning and inspiration.

About the Worcester Art Museum
The Worcester Art Museum creates transformative programs and exhibitions, drawing on its exceptional collection of art. Dating from 3000 BCE to the present, these works provide the foundation for a focus on audience engagement, connecting visitors of all ages and abilities with inspiring art and demonstrating its enduring relevance to daily life. Creative initiatives-including pioneering collaborative programs with local schools, fresh approaches to exhibition design and in-gallery teaching, and a long history of studio class instruction-offer opportunities for diverse audiences to experience art and learn both from and with artists.

The Worcester Art Museum, located at 55 Salisbury Street in Worcester, MA, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm. For information on admission and discounts, visit https://www.worcesterart.org/visit.

Parking
Museum parking is free.|

Date
Open Nov 22, 2025

Hours (Check)
Wed-Sun: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

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