During the waning years of the Gilded Age, a local captain of industry from Worcester, Massachusetts made a portentous purchase in Venice: a reproduction of a suit of armor. From this auspicious moment, John Woodman Higgins would devote much of his time and personal fortune to amassing a staggering collection of armor from all across the globe. By the late 1920s, Higgins became increasingly concerned about where to keep all of his treasures. He decided to build a museum, and in 1931, the Higgins Armory Museum opened to the public. On their lovely site, visitors can learn more about their collections, browse through their calendar of events, and of course, learn how to visit the museum itself in scenic Worcester. Some of the best material on the site can be found in the “Virtual Exhibitions” area. Here, visitors can learn about the martial arts of medieval Europe and the techniques of combat during this era, complete with some rather nice footage of reconstructed techniques.