FOUNDED IN 1896

C. 1904

Smith Barn

C. 1683

Nathaniel Felton House

C. 1852

Osborn-Salata House

The Peabody Historical Society & Museum allows personal and commercial photography on the grounds of the Felton-Smith Historical Site to Peabody residents only. Please call 978-531-0805 to request permission. Photography is restricted to Monday through Wednesday. Access will be denied if special events are taking place. 

The open hours for the Gideon Foster and Salata-Osborn Houses (35 and 33 Washington Street) have changed. We will now be open by appointment only. If you would like to visit, please call 978-531-0805. We look forward to seeing you.

Weddings

The historic Smith Barn is situated on a picturesque hilltop surrounded by two hundred and fifty acres of orchards and conservation land. Located at the Felton-Smith Historic Site adjacent to Peabody’s Brooksby Farm, the Smith Barn is the perfect setting for your special day. Rich in beauty and significance, the site represents over three centuries of the region’s history and is home to several historic landmarks.

We are proud to share that the Smith Barn was chosen as  Bons Best of 2020, Reader’s Choice for Wedding Venue!

“Until the Cows Come Home: Farming in Peabody”

     Come learn about Peabody's agricultural past and present with our latest exhibit “Until the Cows Come Home: Farming in Peabody.” We tell the stories of individual family farms, explain Peabody's connection to the Topsfield Fair and show how grassroots...

History

Founded in 1896, the Peabody Historical Society & Museum is a center for the preservation, study and enjoyment of Peabody’s cultural heritage. The Society’s collections are of local and national significance and document over 300 years of the region’s history. The Society maintains eight historic properties, an extensive library and archives, and a large collection of china, textiles, furniture and fine and decorative arts.

Postcards from Peabody's Past

Peabody and the Topsfield Fair

  Did you know? The Topsfield Fair was held in Peabody from 1895 to 1909. The Essex Agricultural Society Fair, now known as the Topsfield Fair, was looking for a permanent home in 1895. The Fair bought a 9-acre...

The Great Peabody Fire of 1843

On September 22, 1843 at 1am, Mr. Berry's wheelwright shop on (now) Railroad Avenue was destroyed by fire. This set off a chain reaction that destroyed many of the buildings in Peabody Square. It is worth noting that Peabody was still considered part of the South...

Back to School

Often, ideas for our Postcard from Peabody's Past series come from our members or recent research requests. This week, I received a request for information on the history of the John McCarthy Memorial Elementary School, on the 20th anniversary of its re-opening. The...

Visit

Peabody Historical Society
35 Washington Street
Peabody, MA 01960

Call

978.531.0805

Message

[email protected] (general info)
[email protected] (research requests)

Smith Barn

Felton-Smith Historic Site, 38 Felton St., Peabody, MA 01960

General Gideon Foster House

Headquarters/Office Hours
35 Washington Street, Peabody, MA 01960

Osborne-Salata House

33 Washington Street, Peabody, MA 01960

Sutton-Peirson House

31 Washington Street, Peabody, MA 01960

Nathaniel Felton Senior House

47 Felton Street, Felton-Smith Historic Site, Peabody, MA 01960

Nathaniel Felton Junior House

43 Felton Street, Felton-Smith Historic Site, Peabody, MA 01960

Peabody Historical Fire Museum

38 Rear Felton Street, Felton-Smith Historic Site, Peabody, MA 01960

 

The Peabody Historical Society and Museum are proud members of the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Website photos courtesy of Solare Wedding Photography and GraVoc Associates