Before you come

Hours

Tuesday & Thursday: 9:30am–12pm
Sunday: 10am–2pm

Can’t make our open hours? Email info@waylandmuseum.org or call 508-358-7959 to book a visit at a time that works for you.

Admission

Free for all ages. Donations are always appreciated and help keep Wayland’s history alive.

On view now

The Home Team: Out Until Dark, on view through November.

How long should we plan?

Anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more. A quick walkthrough with our curator takes about 15 minutes. If you love history and a good story, you can easily spend a leisurely hour or more. Our curator is always happy to keep talking! Kids doing our scavenger hunt usually take 20–30 minutes.

Getting here

Address

Wayland Museum & Historical Society
Grout-Heard House
12 Cochituate Road, Wayland, MA 01778

We’re in Wayland Center, right next door to the Wayland Free Public Library.

Parking

Park for free in our lot behind the building.

Which door?

Use our side entrance. Look for the red arrow sign and the red door on our 1960s addition. (The original front door opens only for our Holiday Open House and special events.)

Come on in! Try the door. If it’s locked, ring the bell and we’ll let you in.

Your visit

A guided visit with our curator

Most visits are guided tours with our curator, who loves sharing Wayland’s history and the stories behind our collection. From time to time, we also offer self-guided exploration.

What you’ll see

• First floor: the Stone Room, Heard Room, Campbell Room, and Draper Room
• Upstairs: two bedrooms holding a wide range of objects from our collection

Your guide will shape the tour around your time and your comfort level.

Visiting with kids

Kids can grab a scavenger hunt and explore while grown-ups take in the exhibits and rooms. Our historic doorways are narrow, so you’re welcome to park strollers in our entrance or main room, where there’s also seating for adults.

Photography

Photos are welcome. Please, no flash.

Restrooms

Our restroom is on the second floor. When the Wayland Free Public Library next door is open, it has an accessible restroom.

Accessibility

The Grout-Heard House was built around 1740, long before anyone thought about ramps or elevators. We want every visitor to feel welcome, so here’s exactly what to expect.

• Getting in: There are three steps up to our door: a step onto a large granite block, a step up to the stone landing, and a low threshold into the house. There’s a handrail on the right.
• First floor: The Stone Room, Heard Room, Campbell Room, and Draper Room are all on the first floor. Our large main room has seating.
• Second floor: Two bedrooms with more of our collection are upstairs, along with our restroom. There are three original staircases, each with 10 to 12 steep, narrow steps. Some have a railing on one side, and some have none. Your guide will show you which ones are open that day and can tailor the tour to what feels comfortable. The second floor is not wheelchair accessible. Much of our collection is also online.
• Restroom: Our restroom is on the second floor. When the Wayland Free Public Library next door is open, it has an accessible restroom.
• Seating: Folding chairs are available throughout the house. Just ask.
• Strollers: Our historic doorways are narrow. You’re welcome to park strollers in our entrance or main room during your visit.
• Service dogs: ADA-trained service dogs are welcome. Pets aren’t permitted inside the house.

Have a question or a need we haven’t covered? Call 508-358-7959 or email info@waylandmuseum.org before your visit. We’re happy to work with you.

Groups & schools

School programs

We offer guided visits at the Grout-Heard House and classroom programs we bring to you. Both are tailored to your grade level and unit, and both connect to the Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework K–12, with real connections to science, engineering, and math as well.

Email us at info@waylandmuseum.org to start a conversation. No commitment needed. We’re happy to talk through your unit first.

Learn more about school programs.

Other groups

Bringing a group of friends, family, or neighbors? Email info@waylandmuseum.org and we’ll find a time that works.

Make a day of it

Wayland Center has plenty of places to grab a bite before or after your visit.

Loved your visit?