
View of the Worcester Art Museum Sailsbury Street facade, access bridge, and new Lancaster Street entrance.
In 1896, a powerhouse group of philanthropists led by Stephen Salisbury III joined forces and resources to create an art museum for “the benefit of all.” Since then, the Worcester Art Museum has been a cornerstone of the Worcester community—the trusted caretaker of 38,000 objects, which span over five millennia of art and cultural heritage from across the globe. The Museum uses this exceptional collection to advance its mission “to connect people, communities, and cultures through the experience of art.”
It was 125 years ago, when a brand-new Worcester Art Museum—a stately Classic Revival-style building designed by Stephen C. Earle—opened its doors for the first time. Less than 25 years later, the Museum had outgrown its original building, and the first of five major additions was constructed. Each addition provided more space to house the growing collection and to meet the community’s demand for public and educational art programming.
Today, the Museum is undertaking a new phase of renovations and improvements. These will address evolving 21st-century needs and expectations of the people we serve, building a state-of-the-art home for the renowned Higgins Armory Collection (acquired in 2014), and upgrading the facility and systems so WAM can steward the extraordinary collection in its care, serve its community, and achieve its mission for generations to come.
The Projects
The following projects, to be completed over the course of several years, address critical institutional, facility, and programmatic needs and goals.
Creating a greener WAM: Higgins Education Wing Window Replacement Project

Transforming an art research library: Library Relocation Project

Building a new home for a beloved collection: Arms and Armor Gallery Project

Safeguarding the Museum and its collections: Infrastructure Upgrade Projects

Providing welcoming access for all visitors: Lancaster Plaza Project

See also: