Museum Facilities

The New England Quilt Museum is located in historic downtown Lowell, Massachusetts. Master craftsman Josiah Peabody built the Lowell Institute for Savings building in 1845 in the classic Greek Revival Style. The structure boasts an unusual rhomboidal footprint, with curved corners and an ornate wrought-iron balcony along two sides. Today the 18,000 square foot space holds exhibition galleries, a library and resource center, classrooms, a museum store, collection storage, staff offices, and support areas.

Hours

Tuesday through Saturday, 10-4, Sunday, 12-4 (May through December only)
Fourth Fridays in January-April, 10-8 (4-8 free to all)
The Museum is closed Mondays and on major holidays (July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Easter Sunday).
Winter Snow Policy: Check radio and TV listings. If the Lowell schools are closed the Museum is closed. In case of inclement weather the Museum may elect to close early. Please call before visiting.

Extended hours: The museum will remain open until 7pm on the following Friday evenings
May 30, June 20, August 22, September 26, October 24, November 21

Between exhibitions the gallery will be closed for viewing but the museum shop will remain open.

Tour Groups

The New England Quilt Museum has a variety of special group tour packages that include luncheons, teas, and workshop space rental. Find out more information here.

Admission

$5 for adults; $4 for seniors and students. Museum members are admitted free. Two-for-one discount for WGBH members. The building is entirely handicap accessible with parking behind the museum.

Free admission for all New England Quilt Museum Auxilliary and supporting quilting guild members on the 4th Sunday of each month from 12 to 4pm.

Directions

New England Quilt Museum
18 Shattuck Street
Lowell, Massachusetts 01852

By car:

Lowell is located 28 miles north of Boston off Interstates 93 and 495 and Route 3. Take the Lowell Connector from either Route 495 (Exit 35C), or Route 3 (exit 30B Northbound or 30A Southbound) about 2 miles to Thorndike Street (Exit 5B).

At the 4th light, Thorndike Street merges into Dutton Street. Go to the 2nd light and turn right onto Market Street. Parking is available at the Leo A. Roy Market Street Garage, or at street meters in the neighborhood. A parking lot behind the museum is available for free parking on weekends only. For the lot behind the museum take the first left off Market St. onto Palmer St., then the first left onto Middle St. You'll recognize our building by the quilt mural on the back wall. (See map)

By train:

Commuter rail service is available by MBTA from Boston's North Station to Lowell's Gallagher Terminal. Lowell Regional Transit Authority shuttles run between Gallagher Terminal and downtown Lowell every half hour Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a shuttle stop at the corner of Market and Shattuck Streets, one block from the museum.

Area attractions:

For information about restaurants, lodging, and other area attractions, contact the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitor's Bureau at http://www.merrimackvalley.org

Lowell Quilt Festival: August 7-10, 2008 www.lowellquiltfestival.org