Whittier Birthplace

08/27/2026

The new well sweep is installed!

This is a centuries-old technology that makes it easier to lift heavy buckets of water out of the well.

Our volunteers rebuilt the well sweep every 5 or so years using the same type of hand tools the Whittier family would have used 200 years ago. Pictured here is Buildings & Grounds Committee volunteer Bill Woodhouse who lead the project.

08/25/2026

Don't forget about tonight's free lecture:

Elizabeth Paliga, the senior preservation services manager at Historic New England, will talk about the role of women in preserving history at Whittier Birthplace. Paliga’s talk, “Tenacious Women: A History of Preservation in New England,” will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 6 p.m. in the Whitti...

08/24/2026

This Saturday!

08/21/2026

Have you been following along with our barn restoration project?

Thanks to a $50,000+ gift from the Cogswell Club this year we've been able to make headway on restoring the 19th century barn at the Whittier Birthplace.

A new roof was installed in April, electrical upgrades were done in May, carpentry repairs took place in June/July, and now exterior painting is scheduled to begin at the end of this month/early September.

We're excited to host more community events inside the space starting this fall! If you'd like to learn more about the history of the barn, the work that's being done, or to donate to help us reach our goal, please visit: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/help-restore-the-whittier-birthplace-barn

08/19/2026

Homeschooling families are invited to a program on the legacy of John Greenleaf Whittier.

When: Wednesday, September 2nd, 10-11:30am

Suggested ages: 6-12

Suggested donation: $10

Theme: The Freeman Memorial Trail

This month we’re taking a short hike along the Freeman Memorial Trail, through the woods and fields around the Whittier Birthplace. At each of the 13 stops along this approximately 1/2 mile trail, we will take turns reading a short section of Whittier’s poetry that describes the scenery. Along the way participants will get to collect leaves and other natural items for the craft at the end of the hike. Please come dressed for the weather and with sturdy shoes for walking over uneven ground. We’ll have sun block and insect repellant available.

Skills practiced in this program: reading, hiking, arts & crafts.

Click here (https://www.whittierbirthplace.org/events/ertsfn625adhn9dg5884t7jcfe5b7g) to sign up, at least one week prior to the program. Please include the ages and first names of participating kids as well as any relevant allergies or other special considerations we should know in advance.

08/17/2026

Summer is not over yet! We have four more events scheduled before Labor Day.

https://whittierbirthplace.substack.com/p/summer-is-not-over-yet?r=48nkkt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

08/16/2026

Two more chances to join us for Preschool Storytime before back to school!

August 18th and August 25th at 10am at the Whittier Birthplace

Preschoolers and a caregiver are invited to join us each Tuesday from 10am-11am from June 23rd through August 25th for story reading and craft. The target age is 3-5 years, but older and younger kids are also welcome to join. This is a free program and no registration is required.

Preschool Storytime will take place on the grass next to the Little Free Library. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket to sit on. Parking is available on the field by the barn or along the side of Whittier Road.

08/14/2026

Poet Jason O'Toole and friends are back for another summer poetry fest at the Whittier Birthplace on August 29th at 2pm. Check it out!

08/11/2026

The Whittier Birthplace is hosting Elizabeth Paliga, Historic New England 's Senior Preservation Services Manager for a lecture on Tuesday, August 25th at 6pm in the Gus Reusch Welcome Center (across the street from the main museum) at 305 Whittier Road. Parking is available along the side of Whittier Road or in the field next to the barn.

Ms. Paliga's lecture is titled "Tenacious Women: A History of Preservation in New England." It is part of the Whittier Birthplace's summer program series on the historic preservation movement. All programs in this series are free to attend! “This program is funded in part by a grant from the Haverhill Cultural Council-HCC , a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council , a state agency.”

08/09/2026

There are three more chances to join us for Preschool Storytime this summer.

Join us outside on Tuesdays at 10am (August 11th, August 18th, and August 25th) for a story and craft on the lawn (or in the Welcome Center if there's rain). Bring a blanket to sit on. This is a free program for young families. There's no need to register.