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Historic Northampton is a museum of local history in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts. Its collection of approximately 50,000 objects and three historic buildings is the repository of Northampton and Connecticut Valley history from the Pre-Contact era to the present. The museum maintains a permanent exhibit chronicling the rich history of Northampton in its main gallery and features changing exhibitions in its rotating exhibit space.
Historic Northampton constitutes a campus of three contiguous historic houses, all on their original sites. The grounds themselves are part of an original Northampton homelot, laid out in 1654.
The Damon House (1813), built by architect, Isaac Damon, contains Historic Northampton's administrative offices. A modern structure, added in 1987, houses the museum, gift shop and exhibition area. It features changing exhibits and a permanent installation, A Place Called Paradise: The Making of Northampton, Massachusetts, chronicling Northampton history.
Next Door, the Parsons House (1719) affords an overview of early Colonial domestic architecture. It is currently closed to the public pending renovations.
The Shepherd House (1796) is the headquarters of the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The depth and breadth of Historic Northampton's collections attract historians, scholars and students of New England material culture from around the world. The museum's wide-ranging collection includes more than 10,000 photographs, documents and manuscripts from the 17th to the 20th centuries, fine art, furniture, ceramics, glass, metals, toys, tools and implements, and an important collection of textiles and costumes. Research Policy
Directions
Historic Northampton is located in downtown Northampton at 46 Bridge Street (Rt. 9). Take I-91 to Exit 18, left onto Rt. 5 (Pleasant St.), continue until main intersection, turn right on Main St. (Rt.9), continue under RR bridge, thru light. Museum is on left, across from Post Office. Follow signs to parking at rear.
Hours
The Museum and Gift Shop are open daily, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM until 5 PM and on Sunday from Noon until 5 PM. Historic Northampton is closed on Mondays & Holidays.
Museum Admission
$3.00 for individuals
$6.00 for families
Admission is free for members of the Friends of Historic Northampton.
Researchers are welcome by appointment only. Please see Research Policy.
Contact Us
Historic Northampton
46 Bridge Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Email: mailbox@historic-northampton.org
Phone: Main Office: 413-584-6011, Fax: 413-584-7956
Friends of Historic Northampton
Friends receive free access to our extensive online digital database, admission to all exhibits, a subscription to Historic Northampton's newsletter, The Weathervane, advance notice of museum programs and events and discounts on program fees and museum shop purchases. Historic Northampton is a private, non-profit corporation. Join Now!
Contents Historic Northampton.