Hanover MA Historical Society

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Hanover MA Historical Society

Hanover MA Historical Society Hanover Historical Society
The Hanover Historical Society is a 503(c)(3) non profit organization Incorporated within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on March 1, 1928.
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Hanover Historical Society archives and museum are located in the Stetson House, 514 Hanover Street, Hanover MA, and open to the public on the first three Saturdays of the month, from 2 to 4 PM. Our Station Five Firefight Museum is open the last Saturday of the month from 2 to 4pm and by appointment. The Society is also open on Memorial Day, Hanover Day and during the Christmas Season.

Mission: The purpose of the Hanover Historical Society to stimulate interest in the History of Hanover, Massachusetts, by the collection, preservation, and study of manuscripts, books, pictures, furniture, and other objects of historic value which shall be acquired by gift, loan or purchase; to provide a suitable repository for such objects and records; to mark historic sites; and to perform such other acts as may from time to time seem desirable to promote the aims.

05/04/2020

The warm weather of Spring has finally arrived and everyone in Hanover is getting out of doors, walking, biking, driving, and exploring the town. How many people are familiar with the older forms of measurement like rods and chians? This surveyor’s compass was constructed and engraved by the Hanover clockmaker and inventor John Bailey II. John Bailey II (1751-1823).This form of compass was positioned on a wooden tripod and used to measure the direction for surveying a plot of land. A measuring “chain,” measuring 100 links or four rods, and amounting to 66 feet or twenty-two yards. One mile equaled 80 chains (5,280 feet) and one acre equaled ten square chains. Using these types of measurements, surveyors plotted out properties and towns throughout the Early Republic. These measurements were officially adopted in the Land Ordinance of 1785. These measurements appear on the 1794-95 map of Hanover surveyed at “a scale of 200 rods to an inch.” Surveyor’s Compass; Brass, steel, glass; Hanover, MA, 1785-1810; Dims: H 7 1/16” x W 5 3/8” L 13 3/8”; HHS 0000.1273, Gift of the Bonney Family, 1997; Engraved: “JOHN BAILEY / HANOVER”

04/13/2020

The Hanover Historical Society hopes everyone had a very Happy Easter Sunday yesterday. Here are some Easter scenes of Hanover in the 1940s from the Charlie Gleason Scrapbooks, the Easter Bunny and some local families attending church services.

04/02/2020

Taking social distancing inspiration for today from Hanover's past, an image from the Charlie Gleason albums at the Hanover Historical Society, late 1940s. "The author [Charlie Gleason] takes it easy for a few minutes listening to the radio and reading the paper. At Salmon School Boiler Room he is the janitor."

03/21/2020

Unfortunately, the Stetson House will be closed to the public for tours until further notice. But events and programs are being planned for later this Spring and Summer. And research is always happening. Here's a challenge for this week. We have ten small documents from 1825-6 related to the Barstow family and their shipbuilding business. Here are two of them, let's see how many people can read the early 19th century handwriting. If you can, make a transcription and post it here.

02/22/2020

From the Charlie Gleason scrapbooks in the Hanover Historical Society collections comes this photo of a speed limit sign for motor vehicles in 1905.

02/14/2020

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Here are some vintage Valentine's Day cards from the early twentieth century in the collections of the Hanover Historical Society.

02/08/2020

Who remembers The Hearthside Restaurant? This 1965 photograph shows "Dick Richard's Hearthside Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge" on Route 53, advertising "Char-Broiled Steaks" and lobster. Remembering restaurants is one way to explore Hanover's more recent history, especially through personal memories.

01/30/2020

A photo of what is now the Norwell Package and General Store from the winter of 1958. The caption reads "After the Norwell Fire, Elmer Josselyn now has a better up to date store." This photo is from one of the Charlie Gleason scrapbooks in the Hanover Historical Society collections. Charlie Gleason loved taking photographs of Hanover and the surrounding towns.

01/18/2020

Another photo of Hanover from the scrapbooks of L. Vernon Briggs. This is of the E. Phillips & Sons Tack Factory on the Indian Head River. This photo was taken around 1890, and is looking up Cross Street from the bridge over the river. You can see Myette's Country Store building in the center of the photo.

01/11/2020

On this unseasonably mild January day, here is a photograph taken by L. Vernon Briggs in 1888 on top of Church Hill in Norwell looking towards Hanover Four Corners. You can make out the steeples of St. Andrew's Church in the center and the Second Congregational Church off to the right. From the collections of the Hanover Historical Society

12/21/2019

Two vintage postcards from ca.1900 in the collections of the Hanover Historical Society. Wishing everyone happy holidays!

12/11/2019

Shipyard Ornaments now on Sale!
These special holiday ornaments feature the signs from Hanover’s two historic shipyards along the North River. Smith’s Shipyard and Barstow’s Two Oaks Shipyard were among the most successful and prolific shipyards along the North River during the late 18th and early 19th century. Ornaments $20 each and available only at the Stetson House, open Saturday, from 12 noon to 4pm.

12/06/2019

Stetson House Decorated for December!
The historic Drummer Samuel Stetson House in Hanover Center is decorated for the Holidays during the month of December. Stop by for a tour, explore the collection, learn about the ongoing research projects, find some unique gifts, and see the decorated rooms of the Stetson House. Special thanks to Bruce Ryerson and the enthusiastic members of the Hanover Club for decorating. The Stetson House is open to the public from 12 to 4pm on Saturdays, December 7th, 14th, and 21st.

11/25/2019

As a way of wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving, here are some early 20th Century postcards from the collections of the Hanover Historical Society.

11/16/2019

Stop by and check out the pottery sale! Local artist Janine Senatore has her work on display from 11-4, her pieces are great for holiday gifts & more. #pottery #handcrafted #sale #holidays

11/12/2019

This Saturday! Pottery Sale at the Stetson House Barn
Featuring the work of Janine Senatore
Saturday, November 16th, 2019, 12 noon to 4pm
A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Hanover Historical Society

The Hanover Historical Society will host a special holiday sale of hand-made, unique pottery. Items for sale will include lidded vessels, bowls, sets, mugs, and decorative pieces. The pottery pieces are made by Hanover native and current resident Janine Senatore, who has been working in ceramics for decades. Senatore discovered a love of pottery while in Hanover High School, and later attended nationally important workshops around the country. Her ceramic works are individual pieces which draw on the long tradition of subtle differences in color, form, and texture that only hand-made work can produce. Come explore the work, meet the artist, and help support local craft and local history.

11/02/2019

Dr. Gad Hitchcock's 19th Century Doctor's Buggy is restored and has returned to the Stetson House! And it looks stunning! Thanks To Whitey Correria for great job on the restoration.

11/01/2019

Pottery Sale at the Stetson House Barn
Featuring the work of Janine Senatore
Saturday, November 16th, 2019, 12 noon to 4pm
A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Hanover Historical Society

The Hanover Historical Society will host a special holiday sale of hand-made, unique pottery. Items for sale will include lidded vessels, bowls, sets, mugs, and decorative pieces. The pottery pieces are made by Hanover native and current resident Janine Senatore, who has been working in ceramics for decades. Senatore discovered a love of pottery while in Hanover High School, and later attended nationally important workshops around the country. Her ceramic works are individual pieces which draw on the long tradition of subtle differences in color, form, and texture that only hand-made work can produce. Come explore the work, meet the artist, and help support local craft and local history.

10/24/2019

A Tour of the Center Cemetery:
Burying the Dead in Colonial Hanover
Sunday, October 27th, 1pm
Hanover Center Cemetery

This special program of the Hanover Historical Society will explore the traditions of mourning the dead in the 18th Century. Hanover’s Center Cemetery is the oldest in town and its landscape is filled with gravestones, but there is more to the story. This tour will explore all the aspects of mourning that were involved when a person died in Colonial Hanover—preparing the body, making the coffin, digging the grave, conducting the funeral, and, if it could be afforded, setting carved gravestones in place. The tour will last one hour and be held rain or shine.

Photograph courtesy of Board member Betsey Josselyn.

10/18/2019

A Tour of the Center Cemetery: Burying the Dead in Colonial Hanover
Sunday, October 27th, 1pm
Hanover Center Cemetery

This special program of the Hanover Historical Society will explore the traditions of mourning the dead in the 18th Century. Hanover’s Center Cemetery is the oldest in town and its landscape is filled with gravestones, but there is more to the story. This tour will explore all the aspects of mourning that were involved when a person died in Colonial Hanover—preparing the body, making the coffin, digging the grave, conducting the funeral, and, if it could be afforded, setting carved gravestones in place. The tour will last one hour and be held rain or shine.
Special thanks to HHS Board member Betsey Josselyn for the photograph!

10/17/2019

The Stetson House, Barn, and Cobbler's Shop are fine, but last night's wild and windy nor'easter did a number on the trees, including knocking over a beautiful ittle crabapple tree.

10/15/2019

A Tour of the Center Cemetery: Burying the Dead in Colonial Hanover
Sunday, October 27th, 1pm
Hanover Center Cemetery

This special program of the Hanover Historical Society will explore the traditions of mourning the dead in the 18th Century. Hanover’s Center Cemetery is the oldest in town and its landscape is filled with gravestones, but there is more to the story. This tour will explore all the aspects of mourning that were involved when a person died in Colonial Hanover—preparing the body, making the coffin, digging the grave, conducting the funeral, and, if it could be afforded, setting carved gravestones in place. The tour will last one hour and be held rain or shine.

10/11/2019

The Hanover Historical Society's Annual Meeting & Dinner is Saturday, October 19th, 2019, at the Phoenix Lodge Masonic Hall, 133 Broadway, Hanover, MA
Featuring Guest Speaker: Michele M. Pecoraro, Executive Director of Plymouth 400, Inc., the organization formed to lead the planning and execution of programs and events commemorating the 400th anniversary of the 1620 Mayflower voyage and the settlement of Plymouth Colony; America’s founding story.
Appetizers 5pm, Business meeting 5:30, Dinner 6:00, Presentation 6:45
Hanover Historical Society Members $20 each, Non-Members $25 each, Check or cash payable at the door.
Please RSVP by Thursday, October 16th, to [email protected] or 781-826-9575.
Sponsored by our friends at Richardson Insurance

10/05/2019

The Stetson House will not be open for tours today, please join everyone at Oktoberfest, this afternoon at Forge Pond Park!

10/04/2019

Seen this afternoon, a deer, next to the Cobblers Shop.

09/28/2019

Come down to Old Ship yard lane for Barstow’s Shipyard Walk at 10 am today

09/26/2019

This Saturday Monring!
A Walking Tour of Barstow’s Two Oaks Shipyard
Who: The Hanover Historical Society
When: Saturday, 10am, September 28th
Where: Shipyard Lane, Hanover
$8 HHS Members, $10 Non-Members
Join Caleb Estabrooks for a special tour of Barstow’s Two Oaks Shipyard, the site of one of the North River’s most famous and productive shipyards. Hear about the history of the yard, the ships built here, and see objects found on the property.
The tour will last about one hour, rain or shine.
For more information, find us on the Web at http://hanoverhistoricalsociety.com/connect/events/ or contact the Hanover Historical Society at 781-826-9575 or via email [email protected].

09/21/2019

One week from today, the Hanover Historical Society presents
A Walking Tour of Barstow’s Two Oaks Shipyard
When: Saturday, 10am, September 28th
Where: Shipyard Lane, Hanover
$8 HHS Members, $10 Non-Members
Join Caleb Estabrooks for a special tour of Barstow’s Two Oaks Shipyard, the site of one of the North River’s most famous and productive shipyards. Hear about the history of the yard, the ships built here, and see objects found on the property.
The tour will last about one hour, rain or shine.
For more information, find us on the Web at http://hanoverhistoricalsociety.com/connect/events/ or contact the Hanover Historical Society at 781-826-9575 or via email [email protected].

09/16/2019

The Hanover Historical Society Presents a walking tour of Barstow’s Two Oaks Shipyard
Saturday, 10am
September 28th
Shipyard Lane, Hanover, MA
$8 HHS Members, $10 Non-Members
Join Caleb Estabrooks for a special tour of Barstow’s Two Oaks Shipyard, the site of one of the North River’s most famous and productive shipyards. Hear about the history of the yard, the ships built here, and see objects found on the property.
The tour will last about one hour, rain or shine.

08/28/2019

It's back to school time of year. This photo shows students of "Salmond School, about 1922," from the Charlie Gleason albums.

08/23/2019

We pulled the early 19th Century doctor's carriage out of the lower barn this afternoon and sent it off to be restored. The carriage came from the Fannie Philips estate and has a tradition of being used by Dr. Gad Hitchcock of Hanson. The restoration will be done by Whitey Correira of Hanover. Watch for updates on the progress over the next several months. Thanks to everyone who helped out.. And if you would like to help, please make a donation to the Historical Society today!

08/21/2019

South Shore children enjoying summer more than a century ago! Photographs labelled "Marshfield in 1905" from Charlie Gleason's Scrapbook, #16, 1940. Hanover resident Charlie Gleason was a dry goods merchant who rode his wagon to customers in the South Shore towns of Hanover, Marshfield, Norwell, Hanson, Scituate, and Pembroke, taking hundreds of photos along the way.

08/13/2019

More summer scenes, this time from some Hanoverians' visits to the beaches of Scituate and Marshfield, 110 years ago. The first one is labelled "Olive Prouty and Henrietta Stetson," second one is "Third Cliff Party -- Martha Farrar, Mrs. Stetson, Helen Lewis," and third one "Mrs. Hatch, Mrs. Wood, and Mrs. Stetson." From Charlie Gleason's Scrapbook, 1908-1909.

08/06/2019

Some scenes of summer in Hanover from sixty years ago. These are photos taken by Charlie Gleason in July 1959. Shown here are some riders at Briggs Stables in Hanover Center and coffee hour after church at St. Andrew's in Four Corners. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

08/03/2019

The Stetson House will not be open for tours today, Saturday, August 3rd.

Address

514 Hanover St
Hanover, MA
02339

General information

The mail address is Box 156, Hanover MA 02339. Email inquiries may be [email protected] Telephone messages may be left at 781-826-9575.

Opening Hours

Saturday

12:00 - 16:00

Telephone

(781) 826-9575

Website

www.hanoverhistoricalsociety.com

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Videos

Wildcat Bogstompers Bluegrass band are kicking off a fantastic event!

The Standish Guards played some hot licks at the Stetson House Museum on Hanover Day 2017. Visitors also got to see the exhibition of historic drums in the Museum. If you haven't visited yet, the exhibition continues until August 26th, Saturdays 2 to 4 pm or by appointment.

The trolley brought happy passengers from B. Everett Hall Fiel...

Trolley tour visits the Stetson House on Hanover Day, June 25, 2016

Historical Society Board member Dick Bancroft shows off his newly learned skills, with instructor Dennis O'Neill of the Standish Guards Drum Corps

Our Story

The Hanover Historical Society is located at the Historic Drummer Samuel Stetson House, 514 Hanover Street, Hanover MA. It is open to the public on Saturdays from 12 to 4 PM, and at other times by appointment. The Station 5 Firefighting Museum is open for special events and by appointment.