Imagine that you are on your Massachusetts car rental vacation and you want to do something completely worth your while. You love doing the unexpected and you want to go somewhere that is just that. You want to visit a place that will jump start your imagination and a place that will teach you about things you never thought you would learn about. You want to visit a place like the Brockton Historical Society. It has numerous museums, each for the purpose of teaching its guests something about past times in Massachusetts. It the perfect place to go if you want to do something unexpected and educational. With its groundbreaking exhibits and its unique style of presentation, the Brockton Historical Museum is truly spectacular. It is most certainly worth your while.

A tale to tell

The Homestead is one of the most popular places to visit at the Brockton Historical Society. Built in 1767 by Deacon Jeremiah Beals, it stayed in the family for over 100 years. For much of its time, the Homestead was used as a tavern for travelers to rest their bodies and regain their strength for further journeys. People from the Boston-Taunton Turnpike would stop for some food along their way. In 1971, the Brockton Historical Society got a hold of it and began renovations. Inside the Homestead, you can explore a cast iron stove, ancient tools and tin ceilings and walls from the 1920s. It also contains a parlor and a library with lots of historical information. It's a gorgeous place to visit on your Massachusetts car rental trip.

If the shoe fits…

Another area of the Brockton Historical Society is the Shoe Museum. It demonstrates how footwear has evolved in America from the 16th century to modern times. On display are Indian moccasins, slave shoes, athletic shoes and so much more. Many visitors enjoy viewing the "celebrity footwear exhibit" as it presents Ted Williams, Arthur Fiedler and the size 24 shoes of Primo Carnera. You can also see shoes worn by Presidents Ford and Clinton. Check out this museum to see some of the shoes worn in the Civil War as well, Massachusetts car rental customers.

Fulfilling many childhood dreams

The Fire Museum opened in 1992 as a way of honoring the fire fighters in the Brockton region. The museum is set up to look like a fire station in the Victorian times with wide floors and dimmed lighting. There are many artifacts to admire with one of the favorites being a 1850s Hand-Tub Pumper, named "The Protector". There is also a memorial for a number of firefighters who were killed in a disastrous fire in 1941. Don't forget to pay your respects on your Massachusetts car rental journey.

Box like a champion and enter the mind of a genius

For those of you who are sports fans, you might enjoy the Rocky Marciano exhibit. It features the boxing gloves and shoes he wore while winning a very important boxing match against Jersey Joe Walcott in 1952. There are also newspapers, films, photos and video clips in his honor. Also at the Brockton Historical Society, is an exhibit that pays tribute to Thomas Edison. You can examine a display of rare incandescent light bulbs, equipment and wiring that were created by Edison himself. You will also learn that Edison chose Brockton to experiment with his first standardized central power system. It was a huge success and now the Brockton Historical Society has an exhibit in his honor. There are also various other exhibits that you might really enjoy if you choose to visit the Brockton Historical Society on your future Massachusetts car rental vacation.