Massachusetts is home to over 650 historical societies, preservation organizations, and heritage groups. From major institutions in Boston to small-town societies preserving local heritage, these organizations maintain vital connections to Massachusetts's rich past.
Featured Historical Societies
Easthampton Historical Society
Location: Easthampton, MA
Lowell National Historical Park
Location: Massachusetts
Preserves America's first planned industrial city and textile manufacturing complex. Interprets Industrial Revolution, mill girl labor, and immigrant workers who powered America's industry
Website: nps.gov/lowe
Old Sturbridge Village
Location: Massachusetts
Largest living history museum in Northeast recreating 1830s rural New England community. 40 original buildings staffed by costumed historians demonstrating early American trades and daily life
Website: osv.org
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
Location: Massachusetts
First national historic site preserving port that made Salem a world trading center. Wharves, warehouses, and Custom House interpret China Trade and maritime commerce
Website: nps.gov/sama
Barnstable Historical Society
Location: Barnstable, MA
Founded: 1939
Beverly Historical Society
Location: Beverly, MA
Founded: 1891
Brookline Historical Society
Location: Brookline, MA
Cambridge Historical Society
Location: Cambridge, MA
Founded: 1905
Cape Ann Museum
Location: Gloucester, MA
Founded: 1875
Chatham Historical Society
Location: Chatham, MA
Founded: 1923
Chelmsford Historical Society
Location: Chelmsford, MA
Founded: 1930
Cohasset Historical Society
Location: Cohasset, MA
Founded: 1928
Concord Museum
Location: Concord, MA
Founded: 1886
Danvers Historical Society
Location: Danvers, MA
Founded: 1889
Dedham Museum & Archive
Location: Dedham, MA
Dennis Historical Society
Location: Dennis, MA
Duxbury Rural and Historical Society
Location: Duxbury, MA
Founded: 1883
Falmouth Historical Society
Location: Falmouth, MA
Founded: 1900
Fitchburg Historical Society
Location: Fitchburg, MA
Founded: 1892
Framingham History Center
Location: Framingham, MA
Founded: 1888
Great Barrington Historical Society & Museum
Location: Great Barrington, MA
Haverhill Historical Society
Location: Haverhill, MA
Founded: 1898
Hingham Historical Society
Location: Hingham, MA
Founded: 1914
Historic Northampton
Location: Northampton, MA
Founded: 1905
Ipswich Museum
Location: Ipswich, MA
Founded: 1910
Jefferson County Historical Society
Location: Watertown, MA
Founded: 1886
Lexington Historical Society
Location: Lexington, MA
Founded: 1886
Lynn Museum
Location: Lynn, MA
Founded: 1897
Marblehead Museum
Location: Marblehead, MA
Founded: 1898
Martha's Vineyard Museum
Location: Vineyard Haven, MA
Founded: 1922
Massachusetts Historical Society
Location: Massachusetts
America's oldest historical society with unparalleled manuscript collections
Website: masshist.org
Medford Historical Society & Museum
Location: Medford, MA
Founded: 1896
Nantucket Historical Association
Location: Nantucket, MA
Natick Historical Society
Location: Natick, MA
Founded: 1870
New Bedford Whaling Museum
Location: New Bedford, MA
Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society
Location: Easton, MA
Founded: 1906
Peabody Historical Society & Museum
Location: Peabody, MA
Founded: 1896
Pittsylvania Historical Society
Location: Chatham, MA
Founded: 1976
Plimoth Patuxet Museums
Location: Massachusetts
Living history museum recreating 1627 English settlement and Indigenous Wampanoag homesite. Costumed interpreters portray colonists and Native peoples sharing different perspectives on contact
Website: plimoth.org
Plymouth Historical Society
Location: Plymouth, MA
Quincy Historical Society
Location: Quincy, MA
Founded: 1893
Rockbridge Historical Society
Location: Lexington, MA
Sandwich Historical Society
Location: Sandwich, MA
Founded: 1907
Sandy Bay Historical Society
Location: Rockport, MA
Saugus Historical Society
Location: Saugus, MA
Founded: 1928
Scituate Historical Society
Location: Scituate, MA
Founded: 1917
Sudbury Historical Society
Location: Sudbury, MA
Founded: 1956
Waltham Museum
Location: Waltham, MA
Founded: 1913
Watertown Historical Society
Location: Watertown, MA
Founded: 1888
Worcester Historical Museum
Location: Worcester, MA
Founded: 1875
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Submit a Society →Additional Massachusetts History Resources
- Massachusetts Historical Society - Premier independent research library
- Massachusetts Historical Commission - State historic preservation office
- Massachusetts State Archives - State archives in Boston