ABOUT US
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About Historic Northampton
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Historic Northampton is a museum dedicated to the history of Northampton, Massachusetts.
Our mission is to collect and preserve Northampton's past and to engage the community in the exploration of the town's history, its human-made landscape, and the natural world that underlies and surrounds it.
The museum is one of the primary caretakers of objects and artifacts relating to Northampton. We research aspects of the past, particularly histories that have been obscured or unrecorded.
Our mission is to collect and preserve Northampton's past and to engage the community in the exploration of the town's history, its human-made landscape, and the natural world that underlies and surrounds it.
The museum is one of the primary caretakers of objects and artifacts relating to Northampton. We research aspects of the past, particularly histories that have been obscured or unrecorded.
What to see and do
Events & Programs
Each year, we offer more than 50 events and programs for people of all ages, both in person and online. Public talks showcase the research of both local experts and professional historians. Explore Northampton walking tours highlight different historical aspects of Northampton's downtown, of conservation areas, and of the nearby Bridge Street Cemetery. The renovated Shepherd Barn serves as the site during the summer months for unique theatrical plays written by local playwrights on Northampton history and for musical performances.
Current Exhibition
The current exhibit is Slavery and Freedom in Northampton, 1654 to 1783. Visitors may tour the exhibit independently or can attend a gallery talk with museum staff.
Historic Properties
Our three historic houses - the Damon House, (1813), the Parsons House (1719), and the Shepherd House (1798) - all stand side-by-side on their original sites facing Bridge Street. Behind the Shepherd House is an 1805 structure moved to this location prior to 1853 for use as a barn.
The historic houses are closed to the public at this time pending historical studies and renovation. The Parsons House and Shepherd House are undergoing architectural studies funded by the Northampton Community Preservation Committee to determine construction dates for the original houses and additions, the building materials used, and changes over generations. Visitors may enjoy the grounds during daylight hours.
The historic houses are closed to the public at this time pending historical studies and renovation. The Parsons House and Shepherd House are undergoing architectural studies funded by the Northampton Community Preservation Committee to determine construction dates for the original houses and additions, the building materials used, and changes over generations. Visitors may enjoy the grounds during daylight hours.
Where we are going: our plans for the future
Historic Properties
Damon House (46 Bridge Street)
The Damon House was built in 1813 as the residence of Isaac Damon and his wife, Sophia Strong Damon. Isaac Damon came to Northampton in the spring of 1811 to help build the fourth Northampton meetinghouse on Main Street. When the principal contractor withdrew from the project, Damon took responsibility for raising the frame and was awarded the contract to complete the church. His first wife died and he married a Northampton resident, Sophia Strong. Isaac Damon sustained a long career as a builder of public buildings and bridges in Northampton, in western Massachusetts, and beyond.
The Damon House contains Historic Northampton’s administrative offices, collections storage, and an exhibition gallery and collections storage. A modern addition, the Damon Education Center, was built in 1985-1986 in conjunction with the Smith Vocational School in Northampton. It houses an exhibition gallery and a space for public talks.
Parsons House (58 Bridge Street)
Next door is the Parsons House (1719). Nathaniel Parsons, a grandson of Cornet Joseph and Mary Bliss Parsons, inherited half of his grandparent’s original homelot in 1709 at age 22. In 1714, Nathaniel married Experience Wright, who died the following year. In 1728, he married Abigail Bunce (circa 1701-1789). Dendrochronology studies suggest the earliest section of the house dates to 1719. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the original four-room house was expanded and its interior remodeled. It is currently closed to the public for a historic structures study.
The Shepherd House (66 Bridge Street)
The Shepherd House (1796) is believed to have been built in 1796-99, soon after Seth Russell purchased a portion of the neighboring Parsons property. In 1856, the house was purchased by Susan Munroe Shepherd. She lived here with her husband, Henry Shepherd and son, Thomas Munroe Shepherd. In 1914, Thomas married Edith Carpenter. When he died nine years later in 1923, he left his property toward the formation of a historical museum. Edith Carpenter Shepherd outlived her husband by 46 years and in the 1940s convinced both her neighbors - Anne Catherine Bliss, co-owner of the Parsons House and Jane Damon Smith, owner of the Damon House - to donate their houses to the Northampton Historical Society.
The Shepherd Barn (66 Bridge Street rear)
The Shepherd Barn was moved to this site by 1853 and converted to use as a barn. Timber framer Jack Sobon suggests the structure may have originally been built as a warehouse, shop, or mercantile building c. 1805 at another location. The barn was renovated and re-opened in 2023 as a performance space during the summer months.
In 2001, the Parsons, Shepherd, and Damon houses were added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Damon House was built in 1813 as the residence of Isaac Damon and his wife, Sophia Strong Damon. Isaac Damon came to Northampton in the spring of 1811 to help build the fourth Northampton meetinghouse on Main Street. When the principal contractor withdrew from the project, Damon took responsibility for raising the frame and was awarded the contract to complete the church. His first wife died and he married a Northampton resident, Sophia Strong. Isaac Damon sustained a long career as a builder of public buildings and bridges in Northampton, in western Massachusetts, and beyond.
The Damon House contains Historic Northampton’s administrative offices, collections storage, and an exhibition gallery and collections storage. A modern addition, the Damon Education Center, was built in 1985-1986 in conjunction with the Smith Vocational School in Northampton. It houses an exhibition gallery and a space for public talks.
Parsons House (58 Bridge Street)
Next door is the Parsons House (1719). Nathaniel Parsons, a grandson of Cornet Joseph and Mary Bliss Parsons, inherited half of his grandparent’s original homelot in 1709 at age 22. In 1714, Nathaniel married Experience Wright, who died the following year. In 1728, he married Abigail Bunce (circa 1701-1789). Dendrochronology studies suggest the earliest section of the house dates to 1719. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the original four-room house was expanded and its interior remodeled. It is currently closed to the public for a historic structures study.
The Shepherd House (66 Bridge Street)
The Shepherd House (1796) is believed to have been built in 1796-99, soon after Seth Russell purchased a portion of the neighboring Parsons property. In 1856, the house was purchased by Susan Munroe Shepherd. She lived here with her husband, Henry Shepherd and son, Thomas Munroe Shepherd. In 1914, Thomas married Edith Carpenter. When he died nine years later in 1923, he left his property toward the formation of a historical museum. Edith Carpenter Shepherd outlived her husband by 46 years and in the 1940s convinced both her neighbors - Anne Catherine Bliss, co-owner of the Parsons House and Jane Damon Smith, owner of the Damon House - to donate their houses to the Northampton Historical Society.
The Shepherd Barn (66 Bridge Street rear)
The Shepherd Barn was moved to this site by 1853 and converted to use as a barn. Timber framer Jack Sobon suggests the structure may have originally been built as a warehouse, shop, or mercantile building c. 1805 at another location. The barn was renovated and re-opened in 2023 as a performance space during the summer months.
In 2001, the Parsons, Shepherd, and Damon houses were added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Non-Profit Information
Historic Northampton is a 501c3 non-profit historical museum independent of city government. Our work is funded by contributions and by grants.
The museum was incorporated as a non-profit organization under the name of the Northampton Historical Society in 1905 by a group of city residents. In 1989, the museum began doing business as Historic Northampton to avoid confusion with the Northampton Historical Commission, a city board established in 1973 to safeguard the city's historical resources. In 2012, the museum's name was officially changed to Historic Northampton.
Historic Northampton is governed by a board of trustees.
Historic Northampton is a 501c3 non-profit historical museum independent of city government. Our work is funded by contributions and by grants.
The museum was incorporated as a non-profit organization under the name of the Northampton Historical Society in 1905 by a group of city residents. In 1989, the museum began doing business as Historic Northampton to avoid confusion with the Northampton Historical Commission, a city board established in 1973 to safeguard the city's historical resources. In 2012, the museum's name was officially changed to Historic Northampton.
Historic Northampton is governed by a board of trustees.
Our Supporters
Northampton Community Preservation Committee
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation: For History, For Life
The Seth P. Holcombe and Lucy E. Holcombe Charitable Trust
The Beveridge Family Foundation
Mass Cultural Council
1772 Foundation Preservation Massachusetts
The Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB)
Foundation for Advancement in Conservation
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Mass Humanities
Northampton Community Preservation Committee
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation: For History, For Life
The Seth P. Holcombe and Lucy E. Holcombe Charitable Trust
The Beveridge Family Foundation
Mass Cultural Council
1772 Foundation Preservation Massachusetts
The Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB)
Foundation for Advancement in Conservation
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Mass Humanities
For more information about us, see the following: