We've Moved! ​
Preservation Worcester has a new home in the historic Salisbury House. We are energized by this ambitious move and how it will continue to advance our mission!
The mission of Preservation Worcester is to maintain for future generations the sites and structures which are significant to the culture, history, and architecture of the city and to encourage excellence in future design with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.​
Announcing the Deborah Packard Salisbury House Endowment​
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We've created an endowment fund to honor former Executive Director Deborah Packard's 21 years of service and her upcoming retirement. To honor Deb’s extraordinary contributions and ensure her legacy endures, we are establishing the Deborah Packard Salisbury House Endowment Fund for the ongoing restoration and preservation of our headquarters, Salisbury House. This has been a signature project for Preservation Worcester, and one that has been made possible through Deb’s passion and energy. Join us in celebrating Deb’s incredible legacy and supporting the future of historic preservation in Worcester.
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Preservation Worcester's Annual Meeting 2026
Wednesday, May 20th, 5:30pm-7:15pm
Salisbury House, 61 Harvard St, Worcester
Off Limits Tour: Whitcomb Mansion
Saturday, June 13, 1:00-3:00
Tours offered at 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, and 2:30
51 Harvard St
Preservation Worcester is thrilled to announce the next edition in its series of wildly popular Off Limits Tours — your exclusive pass inside Worcester’s most architecturally stunning and historically significant spaces. Our third Off Limits Tour of the year offers a rare chance to step inside the Whitcomb House, built in 1879–80 and later home to the Memorial Foundation for the Blind.
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This special tour showcases the striking three-story granite High Victorian mansion at the corner of Harvard and Highland Streets. One of the few residences designed by Stephen Earle, it features a picturesque roofline with numerous shingled dormers. Vacant since 2019, the house is opening its doors for a limited time—don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience a long-closed historic property up close.​
Docent Talk:
“Three-Decker Houses in Worcester: A Window into Urban History”
Presented by PW docent Kathleen O'Connor
Thursday, June 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Park View Room
Free to attend
RSVPs not required
This talk explores the iconic three-decker houses that shaped Worcester’s neighborhoods during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It examines their architectural features, the social and economic forces behind their rise, and their role in housing immigrant communities. The discussion will also touch on preservation challenges and why these structures remain vital to understanding Worcester’s cultural heritage.
