Wistariahurst is the former home of the Skinner family, whose Skinner Silk Manufacturing Company was one of the largest silk operations in the United States in the late 19th century. The house was originally built in Haydenville (a village in the town of Williamsburg) in 1868 and moved to Holyoke in 1874 after the Mill River dam disaster destroyed the Skinners’ first factory. It was donated to the City of Holyoke in 1959.
The name comes from the wisteria that still climbs the porch.
What to see
- Period rooms: the music room, library, and drawing rooms are preserved largely as the Skinners left them, with original silk wall coverings, Tiffany-glass details, and Belter-style furniture.
- Conservatory: a sunlit music-room/conservatory designed by Clarence Sumner Luce and built in 1913, with stained glass and a checkerboard-tile floor.
- Grounds: three acres of landscaped gardens, free to walk during daylight hours.
- Archives: the museum holds the Skinner Company’s business records, open by appointment for researchers.
Visiting
The main house is accessible only during designated open hours, scheduled tours, and special events; private event bookings can close the building, so check the calendar before going. The grounds and gardens are always free and open dawn to dusk. Guided tours are currently $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and free for youth under 18; self-guided historic mansion and art gallery visits are free when offered on the calendar.