FOUNDED IN 1896

C. 1904

Smith Barn

C. 1683

Nathaniel Felton House

C. 1852

Osborn-Salata House

Exciting News

We are ecstatic to announce we received a Cultural Sector Recovery Grant for $46,010 from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. We are beyond grateful for their support!

Mass Cultural Council Celebrates $51M in Cultural Sector Pandemic Recovery Grants – Mass Cultural Council

We are also happy to announce that we will be receiving the Essex Heritage Partnership Grant for upcoming preservation work on the Osborn-Salata House. This grant given by Essex Heritage fosters and supports the stewardship activities of organizations that share their mission to preserve and enhance the historic, cultural and natural resources of the Essex National Heritage Area (Essex County, Massachusetts).

Last, but not least – The J.B. Thomas Lahey Foundation funds programs that support the health care needs of residents of Peabody, Massachusetts, and surrounding communities. The Peabody Historical Society and Museum recently received funding from the J.B. Thomas Lahey Foundation to purchase 2 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).  We welcome thousands of local people through our doors each year between our wedding rentals and our public programs. AEDs are essential to bridge the gap between cardiac arrest and the arrival of paramedics. Its use increases a person’s survival by 90% if administered in the first minute. The J.B Thomas-Lahey Foundation is at the forefront of local health initiatives, helping Peabody and the surrounding areas. We are honored to be a small part of their work.

“Until the Cows Come Home: Farming in Peabody”

 Above Image: Harold at Crystal Lake Farm, January 1937   Come learn about Peabody's agricultural past and present with our latest exhibit “Until the Cows Come Home: Farming in Peabody.” We will tell the stories of individual family farms, explain Peabody's connection...

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!

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

A Hearty Meal through Historic Cookbooks

This week's postcard focuses on the best part of Thanksgiving - the food! We are pulling some historic cook books from the Museum's collection to showcase some holiday favorites. The first American cook book was written by Amelia Simmons in 1796 - The American...

The Smith Barn – 38 Felton Street

In 1902, the Nathaniel Felton Junior and Senior Houses were purchased by Joseph Newhall Smith (1839-1912), a wealthy shoe manufacturer from Lynn and owner of the Boston Woven Hose and Rubber Company. Smith also purchased several abutting properties and established...

The Nathaniel Felton Senior House – 47 Felton Street

The Nathaniel Felton Senior House was among the first homes built on Mount Pleasant in the Brooksby area of Salem (now Peabody) around the year 1644. The house was occupied for almost two centuries by the Felton family, most notably by Nathaniel Felton and his son of...

Visit

Peabody Historical Society
33 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