Set at Liberty: Stories of the Enslaved People in a New England Town

Through luck and foresight, the Balch House has survived while the hundreds of homes from the same era have fallen to progress or decay.

The John Cabot House is a Georgian style mansion built in 1781 during the Revolutionary War, and the home to an important ship owner.

John Hale was born in Charlestown, MA in 1636 and came to Beverly to preach when it was still known as the “Bass River Side” of Salem. The property mirrors the evolution of the community of Beverly.

The American Story can refer to many things, including the history of the United States, the values and ideals that define the country, and the stories of its people.  Beverly: An American Story should serve as a unifying force for Beverly residents by providing a shared narrative and identity through stories from our city’s  history. It can inspire people to work together to achieve common goals,  overcome challenges, and understand their place in the world and their role in shaping the future.

Have you heard the expression, “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure”? Balch Family History Through Time and Trash is a presentation of the treasures found in the trash of the Balch family. Launched to celebrate Massachusetts Archaeology Month, this new online exhibit explores the 1998 excavation performed at the Balch House. Through items found during the dig, the history of the family can be explored to determine who was living on the premises, what they were using, when they were using it, and how they were obtaining it.

Remarkably, some of the stories of Beverly’s black population have been preserved. These are stories of citizens, black and white, battling against the unjust system of slavery; of enslaved men fighting for freedom for our nation, though not free themselves; of a woman using the law to emancipate her family; and of the racism that affected the lives of Beverly’s black population, long after they were freed from bondage. This exhibit is generously funded by the Cummings Foundation. Painting of Juno Larcom by Gayle Kabaker

History grows with time and preservation needs increase as well. Please help us continue these important programs with a gift to the Fund for Beverly History. Your support will make a significant difference.

This program provides an opportunity to our generous supporters – individuals, families, organizations and businesses –to support important and necessary conservation work through tax-deductible donations.

There are a number of giving options that allow donors to fulfill their philanthropic goals while contributing to the richness of Historic Beverly’s collections and its financial stability.