Higgins Armory Museum Review

Name: Higgins Armory Museum
Website: http://www.higgins.org/
Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
Length of stay: 90 minutes

The Higgins Armory Museum displays a unique collection of medieval arms acquired by John Higgins during his lifetime. The building, historic in its own right, has open walking areas filled with period pieces.

Entrance and First Floor: Museum Store and Orientation Gallery

The girls loved the iron style door as they went in, each noticing a different part. We checked in and got a map. There is a small museum shop with books and other fun items. On a previous trip we bought Serious Trouble. The rest of the floor is an introduction to the museum and some of the rare pieces. The girls had their check list and went about looking to see what they could find. They loved to see the different pictures and watched part of a video on armor that was provided. They each commented on something in the room and went from item to item.

4th Floor: World of Knights — Armour Around the World – Ancient

The girls liked looking around at the different types of armor over the years. They would ask what year each type was and where it was located in the world. We talked about all the similarities and differences. They also liked to look at the different types of swords.

3rd Floor: Combat and Tournament Wing – Swords – Armorer’s Craft

R. and A. loved the third floor as there was a guide willing to answer their numerous questions. They saw examples of a joust and knights fighting with swords. This room also held many types of weapons. The girls even asked about the flags overhead. They were told what the combinations of colors means.

Each of them had something they liked. M. loved to sit on all the benches and look around. R. and A. asked about the different weapons and also about the different type of displays. M. loved to run around and point out all the swords. The person in the hall was very patient and helpful. All the girls loved to find a sword that was taller than daddy.

2nd Floor: Castle Quest

The second floor has a large play area. Each girl got to dress up and be a knight or noble at a joust. They liked the big blocks to build a castle, but R. loved the big chess set most. A. ran about from place to place trying everything. All the girls loved the pretend horse to sit on and looking at the different armor pieces. This was a fun area for all. We read a few of the books in the reading area. M. had fun moving the big blocks around. R. and A. enjoyed trying to pull the long bow.