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The Boxford Historical Society

Home of the Boxford Apple Festival

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The Boxford Historical Society

Boxford Historical Society was formed in 1937 by a group of Boxford residents that included Harry L. Cole, Mary Abbie Herrick, Raymond Perley and  Robert B. Parkhurst as board members. There were also 210 charter members of the society at the first meeting in December that year. At that time, the mission of the society was “to preserve letters, documents, household articles and personal memories of the old homes and families and to promote interest in the town by recording information about families, industrial life and all items pertaining to the history of the town.” The mission also required that the Boxford Historical Society preserve a “historic dwelling” which was to be used by the society to hold meetings. The first home of the society was the old Bacon Lilbrary building on Elm Street however, in 1941 Gertrude Holyoke gifted her home on Topsfield Road to the organization after her death.

The home was in disrepair which prompted the society to launch fundraising campaigns that included colonial costume balls, a historical pageant and several auctions. The money raised from these events and the annual dues that was collected from members allowed the society to restore the interior of the home. The care and preservation of the Holyoke-French house continues to be an important part of the mission of the Boxford Historical Society.

The society continues many activities annually including the Harbinger of Spring Party, refreshments at the July 4th parade, December’s Grand Illumination, and the reknown annual Boxford Apple Festival.

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Did you know?

The Captain Perley House

A Boxford couple was traveling through England this past May when they stumbled upon the room. The American Museum, located in a Georgian mansion in the English countryside surrounding Bath, is all about America and, as it turns out, a little bit of Boxford.  The museum showcases pre-1880 American items including rooms that bring America’s […]

What’s Happening in Boxford?

Apple Festival Artwork Winner

June 1, 2019 By BoxHist

The Boxford Historical Society would like to congratulate Masconomet 2019 graduate, Whitney Bouthot, who's graphic design was selected to be used on promotional materials for the 2019 Boxford Apple Festival. This year's event is scheduled for … [Read More...] about Apple Festival Artwork Winner

2018 Boxford Historical Society Annual Meeting

November 18, 2018 By BoxHist

The Annual Meeting to be held Monday, December 10 @ 7:00 pm. The agenda for the evening includes: The election of trustees and officers. A presentation by B. Gregory featuring a “virtual tour” of the Holyoke-French House. Wine and … [Read More...] about 2018 Boxford Historical Society Annual Meeting

Help to Preserve the Past

Our Mission is to preserve, promote, and interpret the history of Boxford in order to foster a deeper appreciation of the town's heritage.
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The Boxford Historical Society | P.O. Box 78 | Boxford, MA 01921 | (978) 887-5078
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