History of Harvard
1880-1940 Enter the New Century

Our newly published book, “History of Harvard Massachusetts: Enter the New Century 1880-1940” is now available for purchase at the Harvard Historical Society.

We are open most Monday and Tuesday afternoons, 1-5 pm. If these hours are not convenient for you, please email curator@harvardhistory.org, to let us know you would like to order a book. Softcover book is $35.00, hardcover is $45.

The book is newly edited by Joe Theriault from a manuscript written by members of the Society in the late 1930’s, under the leadership of Ida Harris. The manuscript has been prepared for publication by Joe Theriault. The book was formerly available only in a typed manuscript compiled by Ida Harris but never formally published, perhaps because of wartime.

Ida Harris tells us in her Preface that “Records have been searched, papers consulted, some of the oldest inhabitants interviewed and efforts made to obtain the most authentic information available.” She concludes “The aim of this committee has been to preserve for posterity such material as is now available but which, with the passing of the present inhabitants, might be forever lost.”

The book is 459 pages long and filled with information. Sections include short biographies of citizens of the town, the apple industry, roads and transportation, electric lights, cellar holes and old home sites, education, military annals, social and political organizations, vital records for the years between 1890 and 1940, and much much more. The book is a fascinating combination of historical facts and the recollections of the contributors.

The book is published by the Harvard Historical Society and all proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Society.