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Historic Beverly has been preserving and caring for Beverly’s past since 1891 and the 1781 John Cabot House has been our headquarters since 1892, and is home to a collection of nearly a million objects and documents related to Beverly and the North Shore of Massachusetts
In 1891, the Beverly Historical Society was founded by a group of local residents who cared about the city’s history.
The 1781 John Cabot House has been its headquarters since 1892. The Cabot House, a regional visitor center, includes exhibits, program space, and research services.
In 1932, the Society acquired the 17th century Balch House, from a group of Balch family members and preservationists. John Balch was one of the first settlers of Beverly; Balch descendants remain important contributors to the organization and the house is a significant artifact of early European colonization.
In 1937, we acquired Hale Farm from Hale descendants, including the 1694 structure built for John Hale, Beverly’ s first minister. That property reflects not only the 17th century witchcraft hysteria with which Rev. Hale was deeply involved; its long association with one family illustrates the evolution of the community.
The collections of Historic Beverly have a strong concentration on papers pertaining to the American Revolution and the maritime history of the early republic, and 19th and 20th century photographs of Beverly. The collection includes manuscripts, books, photographs, maps, ephemera, decorative arts, and other artifacts related to the history of Beverly and the North Shore of Massachusetts.
Historic and genealogical material related to the earliest settlers of Beverly, including the men collectively known as the Old Planters: John Balch; Roger Conant; John Woodbery; William Trask; and Peter Palfrey. In addition to published genealogies we have family charts, photos, and miscellaneous documents, such as wills, deeds, letters and diaries. Related artifacts include dolls, toys, furniture, clocks, clothing and other textiles.
The personal and professional papers of both William Bartlett, the first naval agent under General George Washington, and Josiah Batchelder, Jr, a member of the General Court, Provincial Congress and first district surveyor and inspector of the port. These papers provide vital information on the history of Beverly and the American Revolution, and also tell the stories of other important maritime communities along the east coast.
Thousands of images in various formats, such as prints, negatives, slides, glass negatives, CDV’s. Tintypes, Ambrotypes, daguerreotypes, and movie film, VHS cassettes and DVDs of people, places and events related to Beverly, Essex County, and New England transportation.
The Walker Transportation collection contains images and information on the region’s transportation history. The focus is on rail, but all forms of transport are included, with a wealth of images of train depots, airports, gas stations, fire departments, garages, bridges, and diners.
117 Cabot Street
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