Historic New England

Did you know Haverhill was once known as the "Queen Slipper City"? By 1913, one out of every ten pairs of shoes made in the United States was produced here, helping shape the city’s identity and economy for generations.

WBZ / CBS News Boston recently explored Haverhill’s remarkable shoe-making legacy—and why that story still matters today.

Watch the segment below, then come experience the next chapter for yourself at The Historic New England Center in Haverhill and our inaugural exhibition, 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴: 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦.

Why Haverhill, Massachusetts is known as the "Queen Slipper City" A new home for Historic New England is getting ready to open its doors in Haverhill.

"Couples should not have to wonder whether their love will be welcomed, questioned, or merely tolerated. They should know, from the beginning, that it will be celebrated." This Pride Month, Nicole Skarbek, Director of Private Events at Historic New England, reflects on the importance of inclusivity in the wedding industry and the responsibility of creating spaces where all people feel they belong.

Every Love Story Belongs →

Creating Wedding Spaces Where Every Love Story Belongs | Historic New England Historic New England’s commitment to creating welcoming spaces extends to the private moments we are privileged to host.

This weekend is shaping up to be a beautiful one across New England, and we hope you'll add a Historic New England site, event, or program to your plans!

Explore a historic house, stroll through a garden, attend a special program, or stop by one of our museum shops or the Lyman Estate Greenhouses. And don't let the threat of a summer thunderstorm keep you away—New England weather can be unpredictable, but a little rain shouldn't stop the adventure.

Where will your next adventure take you this weekend?

There's something to learn at every turn! →https://www.historicnewengland.org/visit/events/?start_date=2026-06-08

How do we keep traditional skills, craftsmanship, and outdoor play alive for future generations? Ahead of this year’s Flying Aces Take Flight event at Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Site Manager Sheila Spalding, spoke with Guillow's about a century of making model airplanes and the enduring appeal of gathering outdoors to build and fly them together. The conversation explores the shared values behind this annual collaboration with the Flying Aces Club, and why analog experiences still matter in a digital world.

Take Flight! →

Hands-On History: Celebrating a Century of Model Airplanes | Historic New England For a century, Historic New England event partner Guillow's has been building model airplanes the old-fashioned way.

Planning a visit to the Berkshires this summer or fall? Be sure to add a tour of Merwin House to your itinerary!

William and Elizabeth Doane purchased this elegant late Federal-style house in 1875 as their summer retreat. At the time, Stockbridge was emerging as one of the Berkshires' most popular destinations, attracting visitors seeking fresh air, beautiful scenery, and a respite from city life.

Step inside and discover the stories of the families who spent their summers here while exploring one of New England's most picturesque regions.

We can't wait to welcome you! → https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/merwin-house/

Sunday, June 14
Saturday, July 11
Sunday, July 12
Saturday, August 15
Sunday, August 16
Saturday, September 26
Sunday, September 27
Saturday, October 24
Sunday, October 25
Sunday, November 22
Saturday, December 5

Something exciting is happening in downtown Haverhill—and you're invited to celebrate!

Join us as we open the doors to The Historic New England Center, a new cultural destination and the first step in a bold vision for preserving the past while helping shape the future of the city.

Be among the first to experience 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴: 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, explore hands-on activities, enjoy live performances, meet teen shoe designers, hear from innovators in footwear and sustainability, and discover the stories that put Haverhill on the map. Best of all, the celebration spills out onto Essex Street for a day of community, creativity, history, and fun.

🎉 Opening Doors: Ribbon Cutting & Opening Celebration
📅 Saturday, June 27, 2026
⏰ 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
📍 The Historic New England Center
143 Essex Street, Haverhill, MA

Come celebrate a new chapter for Haverhill—and for Historic New England.

What comes next? As the Dublin Seminar for New England Folklife marks its 50th anniversary, President Marla Miller reflects on the Seminar's longstanding relationship with Historic New England and the shared commitment to regional history that has guided both organizations for decades.

Visit the blog to read her preview of this year's conference, 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨: 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦. →

The Dublin Seminar at 50: Imagining New England's Futures | Historic New England As the Dublin Seminar marks its fiftieth anniversary, this year's gathering explores how New Englanders have imagined worlds to come.

Historic New England is bringing the past into focus through an Institute of Museum and Library Services-funded initiative to digitize 125,000 historic negatives dating from the late nineteenth century to the present. By preserving these fragile originals and making them accessible online, we are expanding access to our vast visual record of New England history.

Learn more about the project and explore the collections →

Capturing New England: Digitizing Historic New England’s Negative Collection | Historic New England “Capturing New England” is a multi-year initiative to digitize 125,000 glass plate and film negatives from the nineteenth century to today.