Travel Back in Time: Wilmington Town Museum

Looking for a little history without a trip into Boston to see the Freedom Trail? Well, look no further than your own backyard and head to Wilmington Town Museum at the Col. Joshua Harnden Tavern. Within the museum is more local charm and folklore than you could ever imagine.

The tavern, which was built during the last quarter of the eighteenth century, is located at the corner of Route 62 and Woburn streets in North Wilmington, or the “Land of Nod” as it was then called. Since that time six different families have owned the property. 

In the early 1970’s, when the property was sold to a developer who planned to tear down the tavern and create a commercial development, residents banded together to call a special town meeting and save the historic property. On June 25, 1973 they voted to take the house over and preserve it instead.

For years the tavern was leased to caretakers who lived onsite and, at the same time, maintained the property. In 1999, however, Harnden Tavern officially became the town museum.

The tavern’s rich history makes it the perfect place to display many of the town’s unique artifacts. Named after its first owner, Col. Joshua Harnden, the tavern was likely the location for some of the state’s more historic meetings. One of three men from Wilmington chosen to help write the Massachusetts Constitution, Col. Harnden was also a well known veteran of the American Revolution. 

When he retired, Harnden and his wife turned their home into an inn where it is said that a Franklin Stove, which is still in place today, was kept lit at all times to welcome guests.

After Harnden’s death, the property was sold to Dr. Silas Brown, the first superintendant of the Tewksbury Alms House, now Tewksbury State Hospital. Brown’s medical bag is among the collection of treasured artifacts at the museum.   

It was during the Silas era that another big part of history took place inside the walls of the tavern. Many believe that Harnden Tavern served as a stop on the Underground Railroad providing safe haven for slaves seeking freedom. A tour of the museum always includes a peek at a chamber off the main fireplace that was originally designed to smoke meats but also served as an almost undetectable hiding spot.

Throughout the building are reminders of our area’s rich history.  18^th century cookware fills the kitchen and even though the fixtures are now electrical they are all fashioned to replicate the 18^th century time period.  The collection even boasts a “Gowing Cradle,” a popular style originally created by Wilmington’s own Gowing family.

The Wilmington Town Museum is open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 AM to 2:00 PM and the first Sunday of every month from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.