Massachusetts History Museums

The Chatham Historical Society and Museum
Located in the Atwood House (an 18th century Cape Cod), the society has a collection of approximately 3000 objects relating to Chatham history and an archives which contains over 2500 photos, books and documents detailing the history of Chatham. Other exhibits include the Stallknecht Mural Barn and the Nickerson Camp.

Chatham Railroad Museum
Built in 1902, the museum is housed in the original Chatham train depot.  The museum is focused on the preservation of the station and local railroad history.  Located at 100 N. State Street in Chatham, IL.

Falmouth Museums On The Green   [Katharine Lee Bates History]

Museums include:

Conant House & Garden

Julia Wood House

Hallett Barn

Hancock Shaker Village 

[More about the village]

This beautifully restored Shaker village is known as the "City of Peace".  Visitors will find 20 historic structures and an enormous collection of Shaker artifacts.  The village virtually comes to life through demonstrations, costume, exhibits and activities.  Located on Route 20 in Pittsfield, MA.

Williamstown House of Local History 

[The Berkshires Historic Homes]

Features a collection of historical materials and exhibitions related to the history of Williamstown.  Collections include historical photographs, documents and artifacts ranging from the 1700s to present day.  Located inside the David and Joyce Milne Public Library at 1095 Main Street in Williamstown, MA.

Battleship Cove

The world's largest exhibit of naval ships can be seen here.

Bristol County Natural History Center

The exhibits housed in an old 19th century barn, were collected and built by students of the Bristol County Agricultural High School and is focused on Taunton River wildlife.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

Known in the 19th century as the richest city in the world, visitors can still stroll down cobblestone streets, visit a whaling merchant's home and learn what life was like in the days of the whaling industry in New England.

New Bedford Whaling Museum

Devoted to the history of the whaling industry in America and it's impact on the local surrounding areas.

Rotch-Jones-Duff House Museum

This beautiful mansion built 1834 in the Greek Revival style was home to whaling merchant William Rotch Jr.  Today it is a museum with displays of furnishings belonging to the families who lived in the house surrounded by a full block of gardens.

Seamen's Bethel

A chapel built in 1831 for the whaling seamen and their families, it has been preserved and serves today as a memorial to whalemen and fishermen who have lost their lives at sea.  It was known as the "Whalemen's Chapel" in Moby Dick by Herman Melville.

Beverly Historical Society and Museum

Dedicated to the preservation of the history of Beverly, Massachusetts, the museum features 3 historic houses including the John Balch House (448 Cabot Street), the John Cabot House (117 Cabot Street) and the Hale Farm at 39 Hale Street.  Collections housed include historical documents, photographs, decorative arts and artifacts related to the early history of Beverly and the North Shore of Massachusetts.  A research library is located inside the John Cabot House for the use of those wishing to research the history of Beverly or family history.

Cape Ann Historical Museum

Danvers Museum at Israel Putnam House

Essex National Heritage Area

Essex Ship Building Museum

G.A.R. and Civil War Museum

The G.A.R. Room in Marblehead is exactly as it was left after the last meeting in 1930.  An outer room offers displays of Civil War artifacts and photos.

General Gideon Foster Home   [Peabody Century Chest Documents]

Home to the Peabody Historical Society, each room of this historic house features displays relating to the historic past of Peabody, Massachusetts. The society also maintains the Ruth Hill Library, where you will find a large collection of books, maps, manuscripts, photographs and records pertaining to the history of Peabody.

Glen Magna Farms

Hall Haskell House

The "Little Red House" has been called home by a myriad of people in Ipswich since the 1600s until it was saved from demolition in the 1980s and is now used as the Visitor Center for historic Ipswich, Massachusetts.

Heard House Museum

The mansion was built between 1795 and 1800.  Housing the Ipswich Historical Society, the home is open to the public for tours and features artworks by the "Ipswich Painters" along with many early artifacts of the area including a collection of early carriages located in the Heard House carriage house. 54 South Main Street, Ipswich, MA.

House of The Seven Gables

J.O.J. Frost Folk Art Gallery

View the collection of art by J.O.J. Frost who painted his boyhood memories of life in Marblehead.  Located at 170 Washington Street in Marblehead, MA.

Jeremiah Lee Mansion   [Virtual Tour]

This magnificent home, built in 1768 by Jeremiah Lee, wealthiest merchant in Massachusetts.  Guided tours are offered, allowing visitors a glimpse of early life of Marblehead residents.

John Whipple House

Built in 1677 by Captain John Whipple, military officer and entrepreneur, the house has been home to Crockers, Hodgkins, Crafts, Moores, and Bonds.  In 1898, the house was purchased by the Ipswich Historical Society and was one of the earliest house museums in America.  1 South Village Green, Ipswich, Massachusetts.

Lawrence History Center Immigrant City Archives & Museum

Lowell's Boat Shop

Known as America's oldest boat shop, it has been operating since 1793!

The Lynn Museum

Marblehead Museum and Historical Society

McIntire Historic District

Museum of Printing

Nathaniel Felton Sr. House

Nathaniel Hawthorne's Birthplace

Newburyport Maritime Society Museums

Exhibits and displays detail the history of the maritime history of Newburyport and the surrounding area.  Learn about sailors, shipwrecks, and shipyards.  25 Water Street, Newburyport, MA.

Peabody Essex Museum  [Historic Houses]

Peabody Historical Fire Museum

Rebecca Nurse Homestead

Salem Witch Museum   [1692 Salem Witch Trials]

Sargent House Museum

Wenham Museum  [History]

Witchcraft Victims Memorial

Related Link: Essex National Heritage Area

Historic Deerfield Village and Museum  

[Historic Houses]  [Deerfield Descendants]

Featuring a New England Village with 13 historic museum houses where visitors can experience the history of days gone by.  Historic houses include The Frary House, The 1730 Ashley House, and The 1754 Dwight House.  Located on Old Main Street in Deerfield, MA.

Connecticut Valley Historical Museum

The museum recounts the history of the Connecticut River Valley from 1636 to present day.  Featuring collections of handcrafted furniture, silver, antique autos, historical firearms and other historical artifacts related to Springfield history, visitors will get a glimpse into the rich heritage of the area.  Also housed in the museum is a genealogy and local history library for the use of researchers.  Located at 21 Edwards Street in Springfield, MA.

Emily Dickinson Museum and Homestead

Hadley Farm Museum

Historic Northampton Museum & Education Center  

[Virtual Tours]

Kingman Tavern Historical Museum

William Cullen Bryant Homestead

Minute Man National Park

Concord Museum

Houses one of the oldest Americana collections. The historical past of Concord is brought to life through artifacts of the Algonquian Indians, Puritans, Revolutionaries, Loyalists, farmers, silversmiths, Transcendentalists, cabinetmakers, mill workers and anti-slavery activists.

Job Lane House

The house was built ca 1713 and has been preserved by the City of Bedford.  The house is opened for tours.  Check site for dates and times.  Address is 295 North Road in Bedford, MA.

Minute Man National Historical Park

Be sure to stop at the Visitor Center and watch the short film "The Road to Revolution". The film depicts the events of April 18th and 19th 1775. Highlights include the Battle Road Trail, Hartwell Tavern, the Wayside (home of authors including Nathaniel Hawthorne) and the North Bridge.

National Heritage Museum

Offers a variety of exhibits focused on American history.

Newton History Museum   [Newton History and Research]

The museum offers exhibits on historical topics such as the earliest settlers of New England as well as housing the Newton Historical Society and research library.  Inside the old Jackson family homestead, which was once used as an underground railroad stop, the museum is located at 527 Washington Street in Newton, MA.

National Streetcar Museum at Lowell

Operated by the Seashore Trolley Museum, this museum opened in 2005 and offers trolley rides along with exhibits related to the history of public transit in Lowell, MA along with American transit history.  The museum is located at 25 Shattuck Street in the Mack building in downtown Lowell, MA.

The Royall House and Slave Quarters

[Family connections to the Royall family]

Built ca 1732-1739, the site features a superb 18th century mansion and the only extant slave quarters in the Northern United States.  Both structures are listed as National Historic Landmarks.  The Isaac Royall house is part of the Tory Trail.  Archaeology digs have uncovered important historical artifacts from the 18th century.  George Washington is among the noted visitors to this home.  The historic site is located at 15 George Street in Medford, Massachusetts and open June to October with programs featured year-round.

Adams Mansion in Quincy

Adams National Historical Park

[Adams Mansion]  [Some Adams family information]

Featuring the John Adams Mansion, signer of the Declaration of Independence, the site is a memorial to four generations of the Adams family.  The mansion, known as Peacefield was home to both presidents, John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams.  Tours are offered daily  April 19th thorugh November 10th.  A Visitors Center is located at 1250 Hancock Street in Quincy, MA.

Forbes House Museum  [History]

Housed in the historical 1833 home of Captain Robert Bennet Forbes, the home has original furnishings and offers a large collection of American European and China Trade heirlooms.  On the grounds is a 1923 replica of Abraham Lincoln's birthplace which houses an extensive collection of Lincoln memorabilia.  Located at 215 Adams Street in Milton, MA.

John Adams Birthplace

John Quincy Adams Birthplace

Josiah Quincy House   [Photo]

Quincy Historical Society Museum

[Adams Academy History] 

USS Salem and the United States Naval Ship Building Museum

1749 Courthouse and Museum

Located in the heart of Plymouth, is the oldest wooden courthouse in the United States.  Serving as a municipal building for over 200 years, the building today houses a museum.  Visitors will discover an 1828 fire engine, an old hearse and other historical items.  Location is on the Town Square in Plymouth, MA.

Cudworth Historic House, Barn and Cattle Pound

Duxbury Rural and Historical Society  [Houses]

Hedge House Museum (Closed for renovations)

Isaac Winslow House

Jabez Howland House   [John Howland History]

Jenney Grist Mill Museum  [History]

John Alden House Museum  [Alden Genealogy]  [Photos]

Little Red Schoolhouse (Kathleen Laidlaw Historical Center)

Major John Bradford House

Mann Historic Farm House and Museum

Maritime and Irish Mossing Historical Museum

Mayflower Society Museum  [The Pilgrims]

Situated in the center of Plymouth, just around the corner from the famed Plymouth Rock, is the 18th century mansion built by Edward Winslow in 1754.  Now owned by the Mayflower Society, tours are offered and visitors can learn about the history of this Plymouth site.  Behind the mansion, is the library of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants where genealogy research may be conducted. 

Old Bridgewater Historical Society and Museum

Old Derby Academy

Old Scituate Lighthouse Historic Site

Old Ship Church  [History]

Known as the oldest meetinghouse in continuous use in the US, it is a free, non-sectarian church and still in use.  Located at 107 Main Street in Hingham, MA.

Pilgrim Hall Museum

Plimouth Plantation  [1627 English Village]

Robbins Museum of Archaeology

Features exhibits focusing on 11.000 years of history in New England.  17 Jackson Street, Middleboro, Massachusetts.

The Old Ordianary

Old North Church, Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Common

Boston Historical Society and Museum

Boston National Historical Park   [Freedom Trail]  [Free Brochures]

This is the place to learn about the founding fathers of America and how freedom was won in the Revolutionary War.  Historic sites include Bunker Hill, Faneiul Hall, and the Charlestown Navy Yard where park rangers offer guided tours.  Start at the Visitors Center located on Constitution Road in Boston.

Bunker Hill

Commonwealth Museum

Faneuil Hall   [History]

King's Chapel   [History]

Old North Church   [History]

Old South Meeting House   [History]

Where the Boston Tea Party started!

Old State House Museum   [History]

Paul Revere House   [History]  [Midnight Ride]

Built ca 1680, the legendary house was home to silversmith Paul Revere, who made the famed midnight ride on April 18, 1775.  Known as the oldest building in Boston, the house contains period furnishings owned by the Revere family.  Visitors will find panels and exhibits throughout the self guided tour.  Located at 19 North Square in Boston, MA.

Fruitlands Museum

Started by the Alcott family in 1843, the Fruitlands was an experiment in utopian communal living.  Failing to provide the expected utopia, the experiment ended in 1844, only 7 months later.  Open as a museum since 1914, visitors will learn about the history of this experiment and the Transcendentalist movement.  Located at 102 Prospect Hill Road in Harvard, MA.

Willard House and Clock Museum

Worcester Historical Society and Museum

Museum Index for Other States

Massachusetts Census Records