Harvard Historical SocietyDiscover Your Town
The Harvard Historical Society Website Gets a Makeover!
We are excited to announce the opening of the Harvard Historical Society renewed website! After months of dedicated work, we’ve enriched the online experience to provide you with a more engaging and informative journey through the rich history of the town of Harvard.
History and Stories from Clinton Shores
On the shores of Bare Hill Pond there is a cottage neighborhood that started in the early 20th Century.Was on
Sunday June 9, 2024
At the Harvard Historical Society, 215 Still River Road, Harvard MA 01451
$15 per person donation includes the BBQ. Please register...
More about this...
The Antique Stove at the former Harvard Public Library building, now Fivesparks
More about this...
The Harvard Shakers, their barns and the worst agricultural land in Harvard
An illustrated talk by
Was on
Thursday April 11, 2024
At the Harvard Historical Society, 215 Still River Road, Harvard MA 01451
$5 Donation appreciated to support our public programming
More about this...
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.
A Common History: The Story of Harvard's Identity
Carlene Phillips‘ 2022 book about the history of Harvard center contains 142 pages of stories about people and events that shaped Harvard, plus many rare photos.
To purchase the book, see our Museum Shop, or contact Carlene at carphillips01451@gmail.com
We are looking for Collections Volunteers!
Come try it out! All training is provided. A fun way to learn about your town, and make a difference protecting history and making sure access is available to all!
Come & Visit
Pieces from the collections are on display and may be seen at social events, or you may visit by appointment.
Our administrative assistant, Judy Warner, is in the Curator’s office Mondays and Tuesdays from 1:00 to 5:00 pm and will be happy to show you around by appointment or assist you with research.
Volunteering
Membership can involve as much or as little active participation as you prefer; you can simply choose to support us through your donation or if you would like to be more actively involved we have many volunteer opportunities available.
Membership
We are a non-profit organization and do not receive any town funding; all our operations are made possible by our members.
Because we are a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, all contributions and dues are fully tax deductible.
The HHS is a non profit organization and relies on membership and donations to maintain our buildings and our collections and to support programs. We do not receive any town funding.
Harvard History
The town of Harvard, Massachusetts, incorporated in 1732, has a rich history of social and religious experimental communities.…
Houses now and then
In 2022, Bromfield senior Julian Iverson took current pictures of historical houses in Harvard, framing the pictures as close as…
Discover the 1870 Organ with Gavin Klein
Bolton resident Gavin Klein demonstrates the workings of the 1870 George Stephens organ at the Harvard Historical Society in a…
Center Cemetery Tour
This tour explores the town through the graves of some of the people who shaped its history: Founding Fathers Simon…
Local Register of Historic Places
The Harvard Historical Commission’s ‘Local Register of Historic Places‘ includes a detailed architectural description and the history of the property…
Elvira Scorgie
A woman of many talents, Elvira Scorgie was an authority on the history of the town of Harvard. Her research…
In Memoriam Doug Cregar
Doug Cregar died on Sept. 26, 2021, at the age of 56 at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston. A…
