The Concord Museum in Concord, Massachusetts, is opening a new exhibition that explores the unusual objects people collect and the stories those items can tell. Mark Dion: Eccentric Collectors Like Us opens October 9, 2026, and runs through March 7, 2027, bringing together historical artifacts and an interactive installation designed to spark curiosity.
The exhibition features internationally recognized conceptual artist Mark Dion, whose work often examines museums, collections and the ways people decide which objects deserve to be preserved. The project draws inspiration from Cummings E. Davis, a 19th-century Concord resident whose passion for collecting helped establish the foundation of the museum’s collection.
A Fresh Look at the Stories Behind Historical Objects
Rather than presenting history through traditional displays alone, the exhibition invites visitors to think about why people save certain objects, how collections develop and what happens when everyday items become part of a museum.
Visitors can explore objects that have rarely, if ever, been displayed publicly. The selection includes unusual portraits, historic engravings, distinctive weathervanes and other pieces of historical ephemera.
The exhibition also takes a playful approach to the museum experience. Instead of relying on standard gallery labels, visitors can use a field guide to explore the collection. Contributors include Dion, author Gregory Maguire, museum curators and staff members.
Mark Dion Brings an Interactive Museum Experience to Concord
Dion is known for creating installations that challenge conventional ideas about collecting and displaying historical objects. His work encourages audiences to look beyond an item’s appearance and consider its background, significance and place in a larger story.
For this exhibition, he has developed a gallery environment that encourages discovery and participation. A hands-on installation gives visitors an opportunity to engage with the process of museum collecting, offering a closer look at how objects are selected, organized and interpreted.
The exhibition connects those ideas to Concord’s local history while raising broader questions about how communities preserve their past.
Opening-Day Gallery Talks Offer Additional Insight
The museum is also planning curator gallery talks on October 9 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Visitors can hear from Mark Dion, curator David Wood, and Christie Jackson, the museum’s curator and director of exhibitions.
The discussions will explore the exhibition’s inspiration and highlight the participants’ picks for the collection’s most eccentric objects. The talks are included with museum admission, and advance registration is not required.
An additional opening-day event, An Evening with Mark Dion, is scheduled for 7 p.m. The program features Dion in conversation with Ruth Erickson of the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston about his collaboration with the museum. The museum lists the evening as free for members, $10 for nonmembers, and free to attend virtually.
Why the Exhibition May Appeal to History and Art Fans
The exhibition offers a different way to experience local history by focusing on curiosity, personal interests and the meaning people attach to objects.
For visitors who enjoy antiques, unusual artifacts and behind-the-scenes museum stories, the installation provides an opportunity to explore how collections come together. It also connects a historical figure’s personal interests with the broader role museums play in preserving community heritage.
By combining historical objects with an interactive presentation, the Concord Museum is inviting visitors to reconsider what makes an object worth saving and how seemingly ordinary items can become part of a much larger story.
Exhibition Dates and Visitor Information
Mark Dion: Eccentric Collectors Like Us runs from October 9, 2026, through March 7, 2027, at the Concord Museum, located at 53 Cambridge Turnpike in Concord, Massachusetts.
Visitors planning a trip can check the museum’s official website for admission prices, operating hours, directions and additional exhibition information.