About the Historical Society of Old Newbury
The Cushing House on High Street
The Historical Society of Old Newbury was founded in 1877, originally as the Antiquarian and Historical Society of Old Newbury, amid the patriotic fervor surrounding the nation's centennial. In its early days the organization used space at the Newburyport Public Library to collect and study local history. Today it does business as the Museum of Old Newbury, preserving and presenting the history, art, and culture of "Old Newbury" — a region that takes in Newbury, Newburyport, Byfield, Plum Island, and West Newbury on Massachusetts' North Shore.
Since 1955 the society has been housed in the Cushing House, an 1808 brick Federal-style mansion at the corner of High and Fruit Streets. The house was the home of Caleb Cushing, Newburyport's first mayor, and was given to the museum by the heirs of Margaret Cushing, Caleb's niece and a longtime benefactor of the society. It is Newburyport's only National Historic Landmark, and because it saw minimal modification during Margaret Cushing's roughly 100-year residency, it retains original carpet, wallpaper, and fixtures. The campus of historic buildings also includes a restored 19th-century garden that remains accessible to visitors year-round.
The museum's collections include fine and decorative arts spanning four centuries, archival collections, and approximately 18,000 photographs documenting the region. A significant 1912 acquisition brought in the Newburyport Marine Society's collection of nautical objects, ship portraits, and curiosities gathered from around the globe — a reflection of the port city's deep maritime heritage. Guided tours lead visitors through two floors of period rooms and galleries filled with furniture, paintings, clothing, and the stories of Old Newbury, and the society also offers public programs and archival access for researchers.
Plan Your Visit
The Museum of Old Newbury is located at 98 High Street in Newburyport, Massachusetts. During the regular season the museum offers guided tours Thursday through Sunday, with tours beginning on the hour, and the historic garden and grounds are open year-round. For current hours, admission prices, and special programs, visit newburyhistory.org.
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