Groton History Center

Looking for a new place to call home? The Gov. George S. Boutwell House has an attached apartment that we have been renting out for over 75 years. The apartment will be available July 1st and has been recently updated with new appliances, new kitchen countertops, and fresh paint throughout. If you, or someone you know, is interested in living in the heart of historic downtown Groton, please reach out to our Development Director Beverly B. Smith at [email protected] or Treasurer Michelle Collette at [email protected]

When Richard Brunton wasn't deserting the British Army, he was busy in Groton (and around New England) decorating walls, creating family registers, and counterfeiting currency.

From the archives...

Our terrifically talented intern Annabella is back with us for the summer and we can't be more excited about the project she's heading up...

Have you ever wondered what your grade school classmates are up to these days? We had an excellent visit with David Noble yesterday. Now living in New Mexico, David grew up in Groton and spent a number of his school years here. Since then he has had a career in writing, photography and southwest archaeology-often merging all three interests. In 2019 David donated a large collection of birds carved by Harvey Sargisson that were collected by his mother. Thank you, David, for the nice visit, engaging chat, and continued interest in the history of Groton.

The Boutwell House will be closed to the public today and tomorrow (Thursday May 7th and Friday May 8th) as our new UV window film is installed. The film will protect our interior furnishings and collections from damaging rays and-as an added bonus-will also increase our heating/cooling efficiency. This work is part of our FY2025 CPC Boutwell Property Security, Safety, and Preservation project.

History Mystery Monday! This stone ax head has had an interesting and perplexing journey. Based on accompanying correspondence, the tool was dug up in Groton on a farm on Old Ayer Road sometime during the first half of the 20th century. It was then gifted to a Podiatrist practicing in Nashua. Letters back and forth between several parties indicate a disagreement about ownership. A note to the Doctor (written in 1954) actually includes an offer to purchase the tool so that it can be given to the Groton Historical Society.

Somehow this ax head ended up at the Lunenburg Historical Society. Why Lunenburg? Preliminary research offers no indication that the Doctor nor any of his immediate family had any ties to the town.

The Lunenburg Historical Society recently generously donated the ax head to the Groton History Center.

Continental Currency
Groton History Center, Groton, MA

Revolutions run on ideals, but they also run on money. Beginning in 1775, the Continental Congress issued Continental currency to keep the fight alive. It paid soldiers, bought supplies, and propped up a brand new government still inventing itself in real time. In total, Congress authorized 226 million Spanish milled dollars, the common monetary standard of the era.

There was just one problem. This money was backed by hope, not gold or silver. Its value rested on future tax revenue and collective faith. Counterfeiters moved fast, flooding the market and forcing entire series of bills out of circulation. Massachusetts led the charge in issuing its own currency to cover war costs, which only sped up depreciation.

By 1779, production stopped altogether. Soon after, it took $100 in Continental currency to buy just $1 in gold or silver. Some surviving notes bear punched holes, a quiet but decisive mark of cancellation. These fragile scraps of paper tell a blunt truth. Independence was expensive, uncertain, and built on risk.

Seen here are examples of 1775 and 1776 Continental Currency from the collection of the Groton History Center.

📍 Groton, MA
🖼️ Image credit: Groton History Center