ABOUT US
Welcome to Historic Northampton
Historic Northampton preserves and explores the history of Northampton, Massachusetts.  
Mission
The mission of Historic Northampton 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.
About Us
Historic Northampton is one of the primary caretakers of artifacts relating to the history of Northampton.  We preserve historical objects and documents with strong connections to Northampton’s history that reveal the histories of past residents.​ The museum also shares with Forbes Library and other repositories the responsibility for caring for archival materials documenting the community's history.  Research and explorations into the past are based upon these authentic, primary sources.
Historic Northampton is dedicated to preserving and interpreting all aspects of Northampton’s rich and complicated history.
What We Offer
Historic Northampton: 
  • ​offers programs and events for people of all ages, both in-person and online.
  • presents rotating exhibitions in the main exhibition gallery.
  • researches aspects of the past that have been obscured or unrecorded in prior historical accounts.
  • assists researchers exploring Northampton's history.
  • connects local history to nature through the Explore Northampton walking tour series.
  • presents original, specially-commissioned theatrical plays based on local history.
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We welcome you to explore the website, visit the museum gallery, and join our mailing list to find out about public talks, concerts, and other events.
Non-Profit Information
The Northampton Historical Society was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1905.
Historic Properties
Historic Northampton is located at 46 Bridge Street, two blocks from downtown Northampton, where Main Street meets the Bridge Street residential area. The museum’s three historic houses stand side by side, all on their original sites due to three neighbors who all agreed to donate their houses to the society. The Damon House (1813), the Parsons House (1719), and the Shepherd House (1798) were donated between 1941 and 1969. Behind the Shepherd House is an 1805 barn that was moved to this site prior to 1853.
National Register of Historic Places
In 2001, all three houses and the barn were added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Parsons, Shepherd, and Damon Houses Historic District.
For more information about us, see the following: