HISTORIC NORTHAMPTON
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Grand Opening ​to Celebrate
the Restoration and Re-opening of the Shepherd Barn
Saturday, August 19, 2023
2 to 4 pm
Explore the Barn ~ Meet our Experts ~ Amazing Artifacts
Cool History ~ Fun Activities for Kids
Free Herrell's ice cream, watermelon & cold drinks
All welcome! Rain or Shine.
Parking Information
Only limited handicap-accessible parking is available at Historic Northampton.
Guests may park along Bridge Street and in the lots for the Bridge Street School.


About the Barn
The Shepherd Barn at Historic Northampton was built in 1805 -1806, when Thomas Jefferson was in his second term as President of the United States and with timbers that began growing at least a century earlier.

From the 1850s to the 1920s, the building was used as a horse barn and carriage house by the Shepherd family, who lived in the house in front along Bridge Street. After the death of Thomas Shepherd (who designed Northampton's city seal), his widow--Edith Shepherd--used the barn mainly for storage.

​After her passing, from the 1970s to early 2000s, Historic Northampton refashioned the barn as an exhibit space, gift shop, blacksmith studio, and book bindery. 

Almost a decade ago, Historic Northampton began planning for the building's restoration. The sills and floor joists were rotted, and some of the upper timbers were compromised. 

Thanks to the input of dozens of experts--artists, architects, contractors, conservators, engineers, timber framers, and more--and the support of hundreds of donors, the Barn will re-open to the public on August 19. It will function as a multipurpose space--a place for exhibits, a meeting and gathering place for workshops and community events, and as a small, one-of-a-kind performance venue. 

Historic Northampton thanks our donors and
the many dedicated people who worked to restore the barn.
Emptying the Barn: Inventory, Cataloging, and Storing Historic Artifacts
Artifact Conservation
Pulling the Barn to Build a Secure Foundation: November 5, 2022
Pulling the Barn Back: January 23, 2023
The Barn Ell Reconstruction: February 19, 2023
Timber Frame Preparation
 The Timber Frame Barn Addition: March 26, 2023
At Work
HISTORIC NORTHAMPTON
46 Bridge Street Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
info@historicnorthampton.org | 413-584-6011

Museum Hours

Wednesday - Sunday
12 noon - 5 pm

Closed on holidays

© COPYRIGHT 2015-2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • About
    • About Historic Northampton
    • Hours and Directions
    • What's On View >
      • Main Street Exhibit
      • The Sarah Strong Chest
    • Board-Staff
    • Legal/Financial
  • Programs
    • Upcoming Programs
    • Past Programs 2022
    • Help I am not receiving email announcements
  • Explore
    • Collections & Research
    • History at Home >
      • Videos
      • Interactive Witch Trial
      • Paper Dolls
      • Hidden Histories
      • Scavenger Hunts
      • Coloring Pages
      • Brain Teasers
      • Peg Doll Hunts
      • Jonathan Edwards Prayer Requests
    • Properties >
      • Parsons House
      • Damon House
      • Shepherd House
      • Shepherd Barn 2020
      • The Bridge Street School Sprouts
    • Educational Websites
    • Historic Highlights
    • COVID-19 Stories >
      • Vaccination Photos
      • Submit Your COVID Story
      • Children React
      • Family and Neighborhood Fun
      • It's a New World
      • Hope and Togetherness
      • Images
      • How Illness Feels
      • Brings Forth Memory
      • Blessings and the New Busy
      • Fear and Worry
  • Indigenous Native History
    • Native Histories in Nonotuck
    • Nonotuck Histories Essay by Margaret M. Bruchac
    • Recovering Nonotuck Histories Photo Essay
    • Profiles of Native People
    • Extended Biographies of Native People
    • Nonotuck to Northampton Maps
    • Native LIves Bibliography
  • History of Slavery
    • About the Slavery Research Project
    • Black Enslaved People
    • Free Black People
    • Native Enslaved People
    • Enslavers of People
    • Relationship Map
    • Timeline of Slavery in Northampton
  • DONATE
    • Make a Donation
    • WAYS TO GIVE
    • Join the Email List
    • MEMBERSHIP
    • IRA Giving
    • Stock Giving
    • Donate to the Collection
    • Volunteer