Historic Beverly

06/20/2026

This week marks the end of field trip season at Historic Beverly. It's one of our busiest times of the year but also one of our most fun. This school year we:

Saw approximately 1,300 students from Beverly and the surrounding areas including Gloucester, Wenham, Topsfield, Lynnfield, Hamilton, Andover, and Newburyport. Over 400 of those 1,300 students participated in more than one Historic Beverly education program, meaning we had over 1700 students interactions! We saw everyone from kindergarten through a university Public History class. Excitingly, all of the third grade and all of the fifth grade participated in programs this year for the first time.

Our most popular program this year was our Set at Liberty program, our award-winning program all about slavery in Beverly and Essex County. Students also enjoyed our newly updated Colonial Life program where they did everything from making butter to weaving. Two of our revolution programs, Bev and the Rev and the Battle of the Hannah and the Nautilus, were very popular as well and some students got to hold a real replica musket as well as cannon balls, musket balls, flint, and more.

We are so proud of the growth that we've seen this year and are excited for what next year brings. As always, we are incredibly thankful to all the staff, our board, and our community partners including Essex National Heritage Area, Beverly Education Foundation, Beverly 400+, and the Cummings Foundation.

06/20/2026

All the staff at Historic Beverly will be helping out at Arts Fest today, so the Cabot House will be closed. Exciting news, though, that the Balch House will be open this Monday, June 22nd, from 12-4. The Cabot House will be back open at our regular hours on Wednesday, June 24th from 9:30-4:00 P.M.

Make sure to say hi if you see us while you're at Arts Fest!

06/19/2026

On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation (Proclamation 93), declaring that on January 1, 1863, "all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free."

On January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation took effect, changing the legal status of more than 3.5 million enslaved people in the Confederate states and paving the way for their liberation as Union forces advanced during the Civil War.

The final approximately 250,000 enslaved people in Texas received news of their freedom when Union troops arrived with Major General Gordon Granger in Galveston two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on June 19, 1865.

Juneteenth, a portmanteau of the words "June" and "nineteenth," is also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Emancipation Day. Juneteenth is often called America's second Independence Day, and today we celebrate it.

📷: An Emancipation Day celebration June 19, 1900 in "East Woods" in Austin, Courtesy of the Austin History Center
📷: A coin in our collection known as the "Immediate Emancipation" coin by the Anti-Slavery Society. The back reads: "Our object is the peaceful and speedy and total abolition of slavery. Our trust for victory is solely in God. Our measure shall be such only as the opposition of moral purity to moral corruption, the destruction of error by the potency of truth, the overthrow of prejudice by the powers of Love and the Abolition of Slavery by the Spirit of Repentence. Vide. Declaration of Sentiments"

06/19/2026

Historic Beverly members, you are invited to an exclusive, early look at Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy on Friday morning, June 26th, before the exhibition opens to the public! 🏛️✨

This special Member Morning program offers a behind-the-scenes exploration of the exhibition’s development, themes, and featured objects. You'll hear directly from our staff about the curatorial process and the remarkable story behind Beverly’s own connection to the Declaration—specifically, General John Glover’s July 17, 1776 public reading at Independence Park.

On loan from the Gilder Lehrman Institute for American History, this powerful exhibition features rare documents and firsthand accounts tracing how the idea that “all men are created equal” sparked global movements for freedom.

When: Friday morning, June 26
Where: Historic Beverly's John Cabot House
Who: Exclusive to Historic Beverly Members

🎟️ Not a member yet but want early access? It’s the perfect time to join our community and secure your spot: https://historicbeverly.net/members

MA250 Beverly 400+ Revolution250

06/18/2026

🇺🇸 Stand where history happened. Read the words that changed the world. 🇺🇸

On Friday, July 17, join Historic Beverly at Independence Park as we recreate a remarkable moment from Beverly's past.

Exactly 250 years ago, Beverly residents gathered at Independence Park to hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud for the very first time. This July, we'll gather once again to reflect on those powerful words and celebrate our community's place in the story of America's founding.

To be a reader of the Declaration of Independence at the event please email: [email protected]

📍 Independence Park (Lothrop Street)
🕠 Gathering begins at 5:30 P.M.
📜 Public reading begins promptly at 6:00 P.M.

Bring your family, invite your friends, and be part of this meaningful community tradition.

Before the event, stop by the John Cabot House (117 Cabot Street) to see Beverly's historic reading copy of the Declaration on display.

Together, let's honor our shared history in the very place where it first came to life.

Beverly 400+ Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce

06/17/2026

Here's what people are saying about Historic Beverly...

🚶 About our walking tours:
"Engaging, informative, and full of fascinating stories. I left seeing Beverly in a whole new way."

📚 About our free programs:
"Thought-provoking, welcoming, and accessible. Historic Beverly consistently offers outstanding programs that make history relevant and enjoyable for everyone."

🖼️ About our exhibits:
"Beautifully researched and thoughtfully presented. Every exhibit offers something new to discover, whether you're a lifelong history enthusiast or a first-time visitor."

🎉 About our community events:
"Fun, inclusive, and memorable. Historic Beverly creates opportunities for people of all ages to come together, learn, and celebrate our shared history."

✨ From exhibits and lectures to walking tours and community celebrations, Historic Beverly is proud to connect people with the stories, places, and people that have shaped Beverly for nearly 400 years.

Come experience it for yourself!

06/17/2026

Swords flashing, horses rearing—dive into the drama of the American Revolution! ⚔️🐎

This incredible piece by Swedish artist Thure de Thulstrup captures the legendary clash between Washington and Tarleton at the Battle of Cowpens. Come see it frozen in time at our exhibit, The American Revolution: The Story of the War in 28 Paintings!

📍 The Cabot House | 117 Cabot St., Beverly, MA

MA250 Revolution250

06/16/2026

🌟 Congratulations to our Archives & Research Manager, Jonathan Schuster! 🌟

On June 12, Jonathan traveled to the Massachusetts History Conference at the College of the Holy Cross to receive the Rising Star Award from the Massachusetts History Alliance.

This prestigious award recognizes emerging public history professionals, students, and volunteers with fewer than 10 years of experience who demonstrate exceptional promise and make significant contributions to researching, interpreting, and sharing local history with the public.

Jonathan’s passion for uncovering Beverly’s stories and making them accessible to our community embodies Historic Beverly’s mission of sharing Beverly history with everyone. Whether assisting researchers, developing programs, or bringing new perspectives to the stories of our city, Jonathan’s work helps connect people with Beverly’s rich past in meaningful ways.

Please join us in congratulating Jonathan on this well-deserved honor! 👏🎉
We are so proud of you! 🙌

06/16/2026

🌿⏱️ 3 Features. 30 Minutes. Countless Stories. 🌹🍃

Join Historic Beverly at Hale Farm (39 Hale Street, Beverly) this Thursday, June 18th at 2:00pm, for this month’s 3 in 30 program; a quick, engaging dive into three fascinating landscape features that have shaped this historic property for generations.

Discover:
🌿 The romantic beauty, and surprising history, of English ivy
🌹 The design traditions and enduring appeal of the rose garden
🌳 The peaceful beech walk, a landscape feature created for beauty, reflection, and connection with nature; and privacy

In just 30 minutes, explore how these plants and landscape elements helped define the experience of historic homes and estates, revealing stories of horticulture, design, and local history along the way.

Whether you're a garden enthusiast, history buff, or simply curious about the hidden stories growing all around us, this lively program is the perfect way to spend your lunch break or afternoon!

📍 Hale Farm | 39 Hale Street, Beverly
📅 Thursday, June 18
🕰 2:00pm - 2:30pm
🎟 FREE

🌿🌹🍃

06/15/2026

Debunking the lore of President Taft getting stuck in the bath.

Did President William Howard Taft actually get stuck in a bathtub? According to new research, he did not.

For years, this story has been a popular bit of presidential trivia, shaping how people think of Taft and often serving as a funny example of a president’s flaws. But historian Howard Dorre discovered that the legend began with a 1929 essay by explorer Lewis R. Freeman. This shows how myths can stick around long after they start.

Ready to unstick the facts from the fiction? https://bit.ly/4dztKjU

📸: Public domain / Wikimedia Commons