White wooden house with green shutters, resembling a church, decorated with a Christmas wreath and red bow on the green front door. An American flag is displayed outside. The house number is 450. The sky is clear and blue.

Where history lives, and community comes together.

The Old Meeting House Museum

Built in 1793, the Old Meeting House is the oldest Methodist Meeting House in New England, and remains one of Wilbraham’s most historically significant buildings. Since 1963, the Atheneum Society has preserved the Old Meeting House and Hearse House, along with a growing collection of artifacts that tell the story of Wilbraham’s people and past.

Today, the Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported entirely by membership dues, donations, and community events.

450 Main Street, Wilbraham, MA, 01095

Old Meeting House Events

  • Vintage cars parked outside a white, historic church building with green shutters, under a partly cloudy sky and surrounded by green trees.

    Wilbraham Hill Climb

    Saturday, May 9th | 8:00 AM-close

    Stop in while enjoying the day’s events and shop exclusive Hill Climb T-shirts and Wilbraham apparel available for purchase.

    Location: Old Meeting House Museum & Wilbraham Village Center

  • Tying the Knot: Wedding Traditions Through Time

    Sunday, June 14th | 2-4 PM

    Step into the history of New England weddings featuring historical garments and accessories from the museum’s collection.

    Make your own floral bouquet to take home.

    Location: Old Meeting House Museum & Gardens

  • Children and adults outdoors at a craft activity table, showing their drawings of colorful ice cream cones with shades of pink, green, blue, and red, surrounded by green trees.

    Ice Cream Social

    Sunday, July 12th | 2-4 PM

    Join us in the museum garden for a fun-filled afternoon featuring free Friendly’s ice cream, live music, kids’ crafts, and a live art demonstration.

    Location: Old Meeting House Museum & Gardens

  • Sidewalk view with flower pots, bushes, and an orange 'Open' sign directing to Old Meeting House, outside a historic brick church, with a churchyard and informational sign in the background.

    Treasures & Trivia

    Sunday, August 9th | 2-4 PM

    Explore rarely seen artifacts from our collection, test your Wilbraham trivia knowledge, and win prizes. Guests are encouraged to bring an artifact to share.

    Location: Old Meeting House Museum

  • An old woodcut illustration of a man and a woman in conversation in a rural landscape with three flying demon-like figures nearby, one of which has wings and horns.

    Springfield Witch Trials

    Sunday, September 20th | 2-4 PM
    Discover the 1651 witchcraft accusations in Springfield, 40 years before Salem. Presented by Elizabeth Kapp, Curator of History at the Springfield Museums.

    Costumes are encouraged!

    Location: Wilbraham Monson Academy Chapel

  • A young man standing in a cemetery next to a large, old gravestone with carved decorations and text. The gravestone appears weathered and has white lichen growth. Multiple other gravestones are visible in the background, with a tree with autumn-colored leaves behind him. The sky is partly cloudy with blue sky and white clouds.

    Gravestone Art & Walking Tour

    Sunday, October 18th | 2–5 PM
    Explore early New England mortuary art and symbolism with Derek Strahan, author of Lost Springfield, Massachusetts and New England Then and Now, and host of the Western Mass History podcast.

    Location: Program begins at the Wilbraham Monson Academy Chapel and concludes with a guided tour of Adams Cemetery.

  • Historic Barns of the Connecticut River Valley

    Sunday, November 8th | 2-4 PM

    Explore New England’s iconic barns and farm buildings with timber framer Nevan Carling, and discover how they shaped the region’s agricultural past.

    Location: Wilbraham Monson Academy Chapel

  • Holiday Fest

    Sunday Dec. 6th | 3-6 PM
    Celebrate the season with live ice carving, carolers, cider and treats, holiday lights, and decorated trees by local groups.

    Location: The Old Meeting House Museum

  • A white, two-story historic house with black shutters and a brick chimney, located along a street with sidewalk and leafless trees.

    Meet Me at The Old Meeting House

    All events take place on Sundays from 2:00–4:00 PM at the Old Meeting House, 450 Main Street, unless noted. The museum will be open before and after each presentation. Feel free to explore and enjoy light refreshments.

    New this year! Select presentations will be held at the Wilbraham Monson Academy Chapel on Main Street to accommodate larger audiences.

    Please note: The October 18 program includes a walking tour component at Adams Cemetery on Tinkham Road. Comfortable footwear is recommended.

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View fullsize Thank you to everyone who joined us for our special presentation “Walking in Knox’s Footsteps,” marking the 250th anniversary of Henry Knox’s winter journey along the Knox Trail! ❄️ We loved seeing so many of you brave the sn
View fullsize This year marks the 250th anniversary of Henry Knox transporting cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston, passing through Wilbraham along what is now known as the Knox Trail. Join us for “Walking in Knox’s Footsteps,” a guided prog
View fullsize What a weekend! Thank you to everyone who filled the Old Meeting House with holiday cheer. Sharing a few photos that captured the spirit of the day 🎄❄️ We’ll see you in the spring! 🌷
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View fullsize Looking for a festive family outing this weekend? 🎄 Join us for our Holiday Festival of Trees at the @old_meetinghouse_museum —Sunday Dec. 7 from 3–6 PM! Kids can enjoy choosing a free ornament from our “Twelve Days of Christmas&
View fullsize Our last event of the season is almost here! 🎄 Join us for an old-fashioned Christmas at our Holiday Festival of Trees! Enjoy locally decorated trees, sweet treats, hot cider from @ricefruitfarm, and a live ice carving demonstration. Children can t
View fullsize We’re thrilled to welcome back master ice carver Joe Almeida to this year’s Festival of Trees at the Old Meeting House! ❄️ With over 40 years of experience, Joe transforms blocks of ice into stunning works of art. Catch his live carving
View fullsize Save the Date! Join us for our annual Holiday Festival of Trees on Sunday, December 7, from 3–6 PM at the Old Meeting House Museum of Wilbraham ✨🎄✨ Come for the live ice carving, hot apple cider & sweet treats, plus a holiday wreath raffl