Harvard Historical Society

Harvard Historical Society The archives are a treasure trove of information about Harvard.

The Society is located in the Still River Meetinghouse, now a museum of Harvard’s past, where our collections are displayed, including furniture, tools, paintings, and other objects. Periodic exhibits depict the town’s history and its people.
• Concerts feature musicians performing in the meetinghouse, known to be
acoustically superb.
• Art exhibits allow local painters and crafters to share th

eir creativity with the community.
• Discovery Open Houses showcase the extensive collection of the Society. Maps, photos, books, documents, town reports, personal narratives are all windows to a past that influences Harvard today

The Babcock Farm house at 4 Madigan Lane had many owners before the Babcocks. The land was sold in 1743 "with a dwelli...
08/25/2026

The Babcock Farm house at 4 Madigan Lane had many owners before the Babcocks. The land was sold in 1743 "with a dwelling house and barn" and had many owners after that. Phillip Babcock owned it from 1912 to 1953, and named it the Harvard Fruit Farm. He was one of a group of young Harvard graduates who moved to Harvard to take up agriculture.

This is the Babcock Apple truck being readied for a trip to market. We think this is Phillip Babcock doing the loading....
08/24/2026

This is the Babcock Apple truck being readied for a trip to market. We think this is Phillip Babcock doing the loading. The farm with a big orchard was on Madigan Lane near the Still River Road end. Can someone date the truck??

Franklyn Carlson checking an apple. This picture is from 1983. Franklyn is greatly missed by all in Harvard.
08/18/2026

Franklyn Carlson checking an apple. This picture is from 1983. Franklyn is greatly missed by all in Harvard.

The Lions Summer Baseball team is the title, and all we know about this picture. Can anyone tell us more so we can put ...
08/18/2026

The Lions Summer Baseball team is the title, and all we know about this picture. Can anyone tell us more so we can put some information in the archives with this picture?

Houses with big elm trees were a Harvard feature. This one is 31 Mill Road. Verandas were in style too, and showing of...
08/03/2026

Houses with big elm trees were a Harvard feature. This one is 31 Mill Road. Verandas were in style too, and showing off your horse and buggy in the picture was popular.
Check the "Houses Now and Then" on our website, for more picture of old time Harvard. https://harvardhistory.org/houses-now-and-then/

This is the house at 1 Elm Street when it was painted white, over the brick, and had the veranda and structure over th...
08/03/2026

This is the house at 1 Elm Street when it was painted white, over the brick, and had the veranda and structure over the entrance door. The sign may say Dr. Royal, as he lived here, and that may be the Dr. himself standing near his horse drawn buggy. He made house calls all over the area in that buggy, apparently smoking a cigar the whole time. Notice the elm trees still standing--that's how Elm Street got its name.

In the summer of 1939 the Garden club led a campaign for the eradication of ragweed, mostly along the roadsides. School ...
07/27/2026

In the summer of 1939 the Garden club led a campaign for the eradication of ragweed, mostly along the roadsides. School children were enlisted, and 428 bushels of ragweed were pulled up. The club could not continue the effort, but it taught many people, old and young, to recognize ragweed and called attention to its abundance and to the misery it causes so many people.

The Harvard Fire Department around 1930 is how this photo is labeled. Does anyone recognize the men in the photo? Or h...
07/27/2026

The Harvard Fire Department around 1930 is how this photo is labeled. Does anyone recognize the men in the photo? Or have an idea about the date?? It's obviously in front of the fire house next to Town Hall.

From a Shaker Journal transcribed by Ned Quist78 Shaker Road, the Church family's new Office.July 17, 1839, “The New Of...
07/20/2026

From a Shaker Journal transcribed by Ned Quist

78 Shaker Road, the Church family's new Office.

July 17, 1839, “The New Office was raised. Er. Grove & Br. John came over with 9 or 10 brethren besides our hired men. They ate supper by candlelight, yet did not finish. Shirley brethren ret’d except Er. Br. & William Wetherbee. There were about 40 brethren to the raising besides the hired men &c.”

When they talk about raising, it's the frame of the building. Of course, work on the building went on for a long time.

21 Still River Road:This 1851 structure was the home of Caleb Strong Gerry. Gerryheld numerous town offices : Town Mode...
07/20/2026

21 Still River Road:
This 1851 structure was the home of Caleb Strong Gerry. Gerry
held numerous town offices : Town Moderator,Selectman (1852 and
1863-75), and Justice of the Peace (1880) and Trustee of the Bromfield School. His daughter Mary Gerry Baker lived here for many years. Many will remember Mr and Mrs Terry who lived here.

Address

PO Box 542/215 Still River Road
Harvard, MA
01451

Opening Hours

Monday 1pm - 5pm
Tuesday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+19784568285

Website

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