Current Exhibits


Beverly: An American Story

Open Now!

The American Story is a broad term that 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. The purpose of Beverly: An American Story is to serve as a unifying force for Beverly residents by providing a shared narrative and identity through stories from our city’s long history. The American Story can inspire people to work together to achieve common goals and overcome challenges, and it can help people understand their place in the world and their role in shaping the future. We hope that you will come to be inspired and leave with a greater perspective for a bright tomorrow.


Block by Block: Naming Beverly

Opens June 22

1872 Old Map of Beverly, Massachusetts

Explore the namesakes of Beverly’s streets, avenues, and neighborhoods. Featuring images from the museum’s collection, the exhibition presents the faces and stories behind some of the city’s most familiar locations, introducing visitors to those whose names are part of the city’s history.

On view through December 21, 2024


Balch Family History Through Time and Trash

Online

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.

 

Explore the History

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

Online now and opening at the Cabot House in October

Remarkably, some of the stories of Beverly’s black population have been preserved and can be found at Historic Beverly. 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, 

The online exhibit presents these accounts using the archives of the Historic Beverly collection and is supported in part by a grant from the Beverly Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Painting of Juno Larcom by Gayle Kabaker

Set at Liberty

The Hale Farm: A Visual History

Step back in time with this visual chronology of the Hale House history. Images dating back to the early days of photography, through the present day tell the story of just a fraction of the property’s 329 years.

Ongoing at Hale Farm