Our Collection
In addition to the historic buildings, the Society's collection contains many artifacts from the personal collections of the Society's founder and first president, Samuel Dale Stevens. Mr. Stevens was an admirer of Wallace Nutting and shared with him the enthusiasm for things from the past, particularly from "America's Golden Age." He amassed significant collections of furniture, lighting devices, pewter, hand tools and textile equipment. His important collection of large case furniture is on display in the Main Gallery and at the Parson Barnard House. Individual pieces have been featured in Dean Fales' American Painted Furniture, Fairbanks and Trents' New England Begins, Colonial Furniture of New England, by Brock Jobe and Myrna Kaye, American Furniture, Luke Beckerdite, editor, and Myra Kaye’s There’s a Bed in the Piano.
The Society also collects significant artifacts that relate directly to North Andover or reflect cultural trends in eastern Massachusetts from the 17th through 20th Centuries. These objects total over 9,000 pieces in the following broad categories:
- Furniture
- Kitchenware and household artifacts
- Silver and pewter
- Lighting equipment
- Costumes and accessories
- 19th Century jewelry
- Vehicles
- Farm equipment
- Tools from various professionals and tradesmen
- Pressed glass
- Samplers, quilts and rugs
ADDITIONS TO THE COLLECTIONS
The North Andover Historical Society is grateful to the following people whose gifts have expanded and enhanced our collections in several areas:
- Stephanie Hatch
- John Stevens
- Martha Larson
- Kathy Steven
- Mary Ellen Osgood
- Robert D Stevens
- Elizabeth Victor
The Archives
The Society's archive maintains a collection of over 10,000 items. These include town, church, and personal records, burial records, genealogical materials, town maps from 1830 to 1980, and a wonderful collection of photographs that document North Andover from 1860 to the present day.
The North Andover Historical Commission uses the archives for its surveys and inventories, including its work on the First Burial Ground on Academy Road and past production of the Cochichewick Chronicle.
The archival collection is used by the museum staff, scholars and private researchers alike. It is used to help document the Society's artifacts and historic properties. Local researchers have used our resources to uncover genealogical information about their own families. The architectural files are available for people who want particular information about their houses or other structures in North Andover. The museum staff responds to inquiries for similar information from all across the United States.
Professional scholars have also used our documents for publications and completion of advanced degrees. The Society published Stephen J. Roper’s A Good In-Land Town based on fieldwork and research housed in their archives. The Society's documents and artifacts also formed the basis for Philip Greven's Four Generations, Andover and the American Revolution, by Edward Harris, and Juliet Mofford's And Firm Thy Ancient Vow. In addition, Paul Hudon's A Valley and Its People, Mirra Banks' Anonymous Was A Woman and Alfred Kayworth and Raymond Potvin’s The Scalp Hunters have featured pieces from this collection.
Additions to the Collection
The North Andover Historical Society is very grateful to the following people whose gifts have expanded and enhanced our collections in several areas:
- Jim Batchelder
- Sandra Gleed
- Barbara Dillon
- Martha LarsonJosephine DiMauro
- Ken Rea
- Robert Foster
- Robert Stevens
- Estate of Helen Whitlock
- Sarah M. Field Estate
- Fred Shaheen
Page Last Modified Mon 10-06-2008 11:00
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