Founded in 1894, the Groton Historical Society preserves archival materials, artifacts, photographs, maps, and stories connected to the history of Groton. Headquartered in the historic Boutwell House, the Center serves as a museum, research resource, and gathering place for anyone interested in the town’s past.
Explore history, exhibits, events, and many other topics that highlight Groton’s cultural, political, social, and community history.
Browse documents, ledgers, photographs, postcards, ephemera, maps, and other archival materials that help tell Groton’s story.
The Groton Historical Society is a repository for archival material and artifacts related to the history of Groton. The Society is headquartered at the former home of the 1851-53 Massachusetts Governor, George Boutwell.
The Groton Historical Society was founded in 1894 as a repository for archival material
and artifacts related to the history of Groton. Boutwell House serves as the headquarters of the Society.
Constructed in 1851, when George Boutwell was the Governor of Massachusetts, the residence continued as a family home while Boutwell’s political career took him to Washington, D. C. and afterward he lived here until his death in 1905. His daughter, Georgianna, continued to live here until her death in 1933. She bequeathed the house to the Groton Historical Society who renovated the building as its headquarters, installed two rental apartments to offset the cost of operations, and opened the building as a museum to the public in 1939.
The Society uses the house as a museum to display artifacts relating to Groton and the
Boutwell family. These objects, documents, photographs, et cetera date from the earliest days of Groton to the present.
The collections and archives in the Boutwell House are valuable resources for those doing school projects, genealogical and local history research, and anyone looking for answers about the town’s history, early families or architecture. The Society has a solid base of local support. After more than one hundred years, the Society remains an important institution in town for tourism and background information on the region. It has a dedicated membership which is open to anyone and has a volunteer corps who staff and operate the House.
Sunday October 25, 2 PM Celebrate the 175th birthday of the Gov. George S. Boutwell House with us! After our brief annual business meeting, historian Brian Bixby will talk about the history of the Boutwell House. Enjoy cake and sparkling cider and good conversation. Free
Check out our new spooky article: "The Graveless Man-the History of the Undead Explored Through a Local Tale."
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Boutwell House turned 175 this year! Come by and see us on Sunday (Oct 25) at 2:00 to hear a history of the house after our brief annual business meeting. Free and open to the public. #grotonhistory #grotonma #boutwellhouse ...
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In 1894 Charles B. Brooks presented the Groton Historical Society with seven weather journals kept by his grandfather Caleb Butler (1776-1854). Butler arrived in Groton in 1802 and spent the remainder of his life holding such town positions as postmaster, selectman, surveyor, historian, and pound keeper. From that year- 1802-until his death in 1854 Butler recorded weather observations from his home on Main Street. #WeatherHistory #grotonma #MassachusettsWeather ...
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Fall looks good on the Boutwell house! We will be open for tours from 1-4pm today, rain or shine. #Groton #boutwellhouse #foliage #grotonma ...
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Tonight at the Groton Senior Center, come see Alex Woodle's film about the history of Lost Lake and Knops Pond featuring stories and memories by long-time residents. Free and open to the public. ...
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