For nearly 46 years (1943 – 1987), the Massachusetts Archaeological Society (MAS) maintained the Bronson Museum in Attleboro. By the late 1980’s MAS decided to seek new quarters with the potential for developing a larger museum for its expanding collection of over 90,000 artifacts, at that time, and for providing a facility for public education.
The Robbins Museum, 17 Jackson Street, Middleborough, Massachusetts
In 1988, James Read of the Read Sand and Gravel Corporation donated an excellent site in downtown Middleborough. The Robertson Factory building at 17 Jackson Street was renovated as a museum complex of 21,000 sq ft for exhibits and other operations. The new museum was named in honor of Dr. Maurice Robbins, the founder of the MAS.
Today the building has been completely transformed into an office, gift shop/book store, museum, collections conservation area, workshop, lecture hall and library. The collection now numbers approximately 150,000 artifacts. A “Room of Respect” for artifacts of a culturally sensitive nature has been constructed as well as a new archive room. The lecture hall and gallery were dedicated in 2000 in honor of the late Dr. Barbara Luedtke. A newly expanded section in the rear of the building serves as the MAS library. We are nearing completion of a display area for a major exhibit ” A Walk Through Time”. The exhibit showcases each of the major periods in New England’s Native past.
The Robbins Museum offers.
- 4,550 square feet of display space
- More than 3,000 artifacts on display, some are over 12,000 years old
- Diorama of a 4,300 year old Native American New England village
- Doyle collection of Native American dolls
- Handcrafted mishoon (dugout canoe)
- The Walk Through Time display: 12,000 years in the Northeast
- Native American portrait gallery
- Research library
- Gift shop
The Robbins Archaeological Museum is located
17 Jackson Street, Middleborough, Massachusetts 02346
Museum Hours:
Wednesday: 10AM to 4PM and Saturday: 10AM to 2PM
Admission:
The Museum requests a donation of $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children under 16.
Admission is free for MAS members, Middleborough students and active duty US servicemen and women.
