About Fitchburg Art Museum

As a painter, Eleanor Norcross took Paris by storm with works exhibited in art capitals almost annually from 1866 until her death in 1923. She never lost her love for her hometown of Fitchburg, though. She always wanted to create a center of art and learning there, and, thanks to her will, she was able to do just that. Norcross bequeathed much of her fortune and personal art collection to start what became known as the Fitchburg Art Museum.

Today, after recent renovations, the museum spans 20,000 square feet, collecting works spanning from ancient Egypt to 19th-century America. This impressive permanent collection is often supplemented by traveling or special exhibits, which choose Fitchburg as a destination during travels around the country and globe. The museum, too, makes an effort to entertain every kind of visitor. While some galleries simply feature paintings hanging on walls, others, such as the Egyptian collection, invite interaction, making them well-suited for families and school groups.