Historical societies throughout Massachusetts document the state's unique heritage, from indigenous history and colonial settlement to industrial development and modern community life, preserving primary sources for future generations of researchers and citizens.
Historical Society locations are available in 170 cities across Massachusetts. They are spread across 13 counties.
Cities with the highest concentration include Boston, Bourne, Newton, which are home to the state historical society or large county organizations with significant archival collections and museum facilities.
Residents of Massachusetts interested in genealogy or local history research should contact their county or state historical society, as many organizations maintain collections of census records, land deeds, newspapers, and cemetery records not available through online databases.
Residents of Massachusetts planning a genealogy or historical research visit should contact the historical society in advance to confirm research room hours, any appointment requirements, and whether the specific records they need are available on-site or have been digitized for remote access.
Browse Historical Society by county across Massachusetts to find the nearest location.