Beverly 400th
To celebrate Beverly’s 400th and the important role our City played in the American Revolution, Historic Beverly is opening its doors and collections wider than ever to tell our collective story.
Across three historic properties, visitors can discover the stories of Indigenous peoples, colonial settlers, fishermen, farmers, privateers, craftspeople, merchants, politicians and philanthropists whose lives helped shape both Beverly and the nation.
Our three historic properties bring to life generations of people who built communities, pursued opportunity, challenged authority, and contributed to the American experiment. Visitors can explore the places where commerce, agriculture, industry, politics, religion, and civic life took root, revealing how one community’s history became part of America’s story.
“People often think of the American Revolution as something that happened elsewhere.”
“But the Revolution happened right here. Beverly’s citizens built ships, supplied troops, went into battle, challenged authority and helped shape a new nation. As we celebrate both America’s 250th and Beverly’s 400th anniversaries, we’re inviting people to discover how our local history is a critical chapter of the American story.”
- Abby Battis, Director of Historic Beverly
Visit Our Three Historic Houses
One of the oldest surviving, wooden-frame homes in the United States, tells the story of Beverly’s indigenous people and early settlers by offering a rare glimpse into daily life for women and children in the 16th century
A colonial-style house with land that originally stretched to the water, examines Beverly’s connection with the Salem Witch trials and the evolving relationship between religion and government in colonial New England.
A Georgian-style, brick mansion, brings visitors into the world of Beverly’s affluent merchant and privateer families, illuminating both the opportunities and contradictions that defined early America.
“History is not confined to textbooks or distant battlefields.”
“It lives in the homes, streets, and stories that surround us every day. Beverly’s history is woven into the fabric of our nation’s history, and we are excited to share that story with residents and visitors alike.”
Visitors are encouraged to take part in the special events, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences planned throughout the anniversary celebration. Following a brief closure from July 4–7, the museum will reopen on July 8 with a reimagined installation that explores Beverly’s role in the American Revolution and brings to life the stories of the residents who helped shape the nation’s fight for independence.
