Celebrate 'old stuff' and rich history at these museums around the SouthCoast

On March 2, forget about whatever is new.

That day is about the old stuff.

Because it’s National Old Stuff Day.

It’s a day for cleaning out closets, shelves, etc., sure, but also, it’s a day for revisiting old things and rediscovering forgotten treasures.

Because those things are so much more than “old stuff”: They’re history.

History, all of it, in fact, is personal, to someone at least, whether it’s on a grand or smaller scale.

The SouthCoast has its fair share of old stuff and history, and lots of places that have made it their mission, their vocation, to celebrate those things and honor the past.

Here are just some of the places from around the SouthCoast where you can learn about some “old stuff” that tells the history of our communities, and how these treasures inform our present and are still relevant to us today:

Antique shops

Firstly, the SouthCoast is chock-full of antique shops. Check your local listings, and peruse all of the old stuff and quirky finds to your heart’s content.

Battleship Cove, Fall River

Address: 5 Water St.

Hours: Friday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed Monday to Thursday

Famously home of “Big Mamie” herself, the USS Massachusetts, Battleship Cove is known as America’s Fleet Museum, and it’s also home to the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., USS Lionfish, PT-617 and PT-796. They’ve also got aircraft. Plus, check out the Maritime Museum, known for its Titanic exhibit and items related to the famous Fall River Line. For the latest hours and updates, visit battleshipcove.org and battleshipcove.org/maritime-museum. The Maritime Museum is open Friday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for the winter.

Heritage State Park, Fall River

Address: Davol Street

Hours: Open sunrise to sunset

Explore some more of Fall River’s waterfront, and dive further into the past, at Heritage State Park. The Visitor Center, 100 Davol St. (in the Capt. Thomas J. Hudner Jr. Memorial Building), has ongoing exhibits, film screenings, and activities to help visitors engage with some local history during their visit. Plus, they’ve got an ongoing Storywalk series. Learn more at mass.gov/locations/fall-river-heritage-state-park.

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Fall River Historical Society

Address: 451 Rock St.

Hours: Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Closed Saturday and Sunday

Founded in 1921, the Fall River Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of the city and sharing it with the public. Due to a major infrastructure project, the museum and shop are currently closed to the public, but the museum shop is available online. To keep up with the latest renovation updates, follow the Fall River Historical Society on Facebook.

Lafayette-Durfee House, Fall River

Address: 94 Cherry St.

Hours: Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m.; Closed Monday to Saturday

Visit the home of Col. Joseph Durfee, who led the Fall River militia during the American Revolution, and was visited by the Marquis de Lafayette. The house’s website notes that it is Fall River’s only restored colonial house open for public tours. Visitors can check out clothing, furniture, weaponry, medical and surgical instruments, and more. For more information, visit lafayettedurfeehouse.org.

Lizzie Borden House, Fall River

Address: 230 Second St.

Hours: Open seven days a week, starting at 10:30 a.m.

The historic Lizzie Borden House is the site of one of America’s most notorious unsolved crimes. Today, the house operates as a bed & breakfast as well as a museum, and is a huge draw for visitors from all over. Plan your visit at lizzie-borden.com.

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Globe Street Flea Market, Fall River

Address: 460 Globe St.

Hours: Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed Monday to Friday

Wander around the Globe Street Flea Market for antiques and more. Admission is free. You can also keep up with them on Facebook.

Somerset Historical Society

Address: 274 High St.

Hours: Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon; Closed Sunday to Wednesday, and Friday

Walk through Somerset’s town history, decade by decade. There is also a Friends of The Somerset Historical Society Facebook group.

New Bedford Whaling Museum

Address: 18 Johnny Cake Hill

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed Monday

The Whaling Museum explores the storied history of New Bedford as an international seaport and whaling hub of the 19th century, as well as the stories of local people and the region. The museum’s exhibits combine art, history, science, and culture. Learn more and plan your visit at whalingmuseum.org.

Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum, New Bedford

Address: 396 County St.

Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed Sunday to Tuesday

The RJD house was built in 1834 by shipwrights for whaling merchant William Rotch Jr., and it was designed by architect Richard Upjohn. The house and garden museum holds various cultural programs throughout the year, from concerts, to teas, to themed-parties, and so much more. Plus, the garden is free, and open sunrise to sunset. Learn more at rjdmuseum.org.

Fort Taber Military Museum, New Bedford

Address: 1000C Rodney French Blvd.

Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m.; Closed Monday and Tuesday

Since it opened in 2004, the museum has grown to include exhibits that are personal tributes to local veterans, as well as photographs, biographies, uniforms, and even artifacts pulled from area waters. According to their website, more than 8,500 people visit each year. For more information, visit forttaber.org/museum-history.

New Bedford Museum of Glass

Address: 427 County St.

Hours: Wednesday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m.; Closed Monday and Tuesday

The New Bedford Museum of Glass says on their website that, during the Victorian era, New Bedford was renowned as the “Art Glass Headquarters of the Country.” The museum’s 7,000-piece collection showcases the history of glass and glass art, and the collection includes antique tools as well as masterpieces by: Tiffany, Steuben, Lalique, Baccarat, Sandwich, Swarovski, Waterford, and more. For more information, visit nbmog.org.

New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center

Address: 38 Bethel St.

Hours: Thursday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed Monday to Wednesday

The Fishing Heritage Center aims to preserve and present the story of the fishing industry’s past, present, and future, with exhibits, programs, and archives. For the latest events and exhibits, visit fishingheritagecenter.org.

Old Colony History Museum, Taunton

Address: 66 Church Green

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed Sunday and Monday

Bringing the history of the Old Colony region to life, the OCHM is open year-round and offers exhibits, guided tours, lectures, workshops, interactive programs, and so much more. They’ve also recently re-opened their Military Room, after a renovation. In addition to exploring the museum, guests can make research appointments and dig into even more history. They’ve also got a shop, with online ordering. Explore more and plan your visit at oldcolonyhistorymuseum.org, and follow them on Facebook for the very latest updates.

Raynham Flea Market

Address: 480 S. St. W.

Hours: Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed Monday to Saturday

Open year-round, the Raynham Flea Market has a little bit of everything, including furniture, records, jewelry, clothes, and so much more. Learn more at raynhamflea.com.

Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at [email protected]. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Museums to check out around the SouthCoast in Massachusetts