Visit Mechanics Hall, one of the top attractions in Worcester you only need to glimpse the outside to appreciate its lasting beauty. Join a tour to learn why it’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Capture photos with the building, which features innovative construction techniques from the 19th century.
In 1841, the Worcester County Mechanics Association formed to enhance manufacturing. As the group grew, they hired architect Elbridge Boyden to construct a building for them on Main Street. It was completed in 1857 and helped to define the group as leaders in the country’s Industrial Revolution. Admire the building you see today, which was restored to its original glory with the help of community fundraising.
Discover the portraits of distinguished individuals on the walls of the Great Hall. The first were installed in 1866 to represent values including excellence and human welfare, with groups such as social reformers and political leaders. Throughout the 1990s, the Worcester Women’s History Project added portraits honoring women.
A highlight of the main concert hall is the Worcester Organ. Its shining pipes and Corinthian-style columns are the focus of the stage, with life-size portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln on either side. Book a ticket to an organ concert to hear the huge range of sounds played by some of the top musicians in the country.
Time your trip with a Brown Bag Concert from the Brown Bag Concert Series, a Worcester tradition since 1983. The 60-minute free concerts feature both regional and national performers in the Great Hall. Join other audience members and bring your own “brown bag” lunch to eat while listening to the music. Arrive early, as seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Afterward, enjoy live music at Club 321, an entertainment venue that blends jazz club and coffee house atmospheres.
Mechanics Hall is open year-round with a busy schedule of events. Parking is available for a fee in lots and garages within walking distance of the hall.
