It may come as no surprise that there are several world-class museums found within the Bay State. There’s the Boston Science Museum, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Peabody Essex Museum, just to name a few. But did you know that there is a former utopian community on 210 acres of land that provides an immersive museum experience in Massachusetts? One visit here and you’ll understand why this area was occupied by Transcendentalists for a time.

Set on a bucolic 210 acres of land in the town of Harvard, Fruitlands Museum occupies what was once a Transcendentalist community. It all began in 1843 by Amos Bronson Alcott (father of famed author Louisa May Alcott) and Charles Lane.
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As part of the Transcendentalist movement, these men set their sights set on creating a utopian community based on "subsistence farming and Emersonian self-reliance." Fruitlands only lasted a total of seven months but you can still get a taste of it today.
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Fruitlands Museum is home to gorgeous landscape with sweeping views. There are plenty of exhibits to enjoy and learn about the former community that started here.
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Take a hike along the trails to explore the grounds and immerse yourself in the same natural surroundings that members of the original Fruitlands community had.
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Book an hour-long "Visions of Utopia" tour that will allow you access to both the Fruitlands Farmhouse and Shaker Gallery. You'll be given a detailed account of the utopian community during the tour.
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On the Fruitlands property, you can also enjoy art as well as Native American and Shaker exhibits. A visit here is a fascinating look into the past.
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The main season of the Fruitlands Museum runs from mid-April through early November. It's strongly encouraged to reserve passes for your visit ahead of time online.
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If you have not yet visited Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, you are missing out. What is your favorite immersive museum experience in Massachusetts? Let us know in the comments. To learn more about Fruitlands Museum and to reserve passes for your visit, head to The Trustees’ website.

Are you fascinated by pirates? Immerse yourself in pirate life at the Whydah Pirate Museum in West Yarmouth.

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