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.
Join us at 172 Main Street during this year’s GrotonFest! Visit the Boutwell House between 11 AM and 2 PM on Saturday September 26 to hear conversations between George Boutwell and his daughter Georgianna. Brian Bixby will take on the role of George with Bonnie
Old and Rare Books with Brattle Book Shop’s Ken Gloss Sunday, October 4, 2:00—4:00 PM Sibley Hall Groton Public Library 99 Main St., Groton, MA, 01450 FREE REGISTRATION: https://gpl.assabetinteractive.com/…/hold-for-ken…/ Join us for a special presentation by Ken Gloss, second-generation proprietor of Boston’s famed Brattle Book
On September 21, 1938, the Great New England Hurricane swept through Massachusetts with little warning, bringing fierce winds and widespread destruction. In Groton, hundreds of trees came crashing down, roads were blocked, and West Groton was temporarily cut off. Buildings were damaged as well, including the American Legion Hall, whose roof was blown away. With roads buried under trees and the electrical grid badly damaged, Groton residents quickly got to work. Using axes and hand saws, neighbors worked together to clear roads and restore power, which took several weeks. Beyond the immediate damage, the hurricane dramatically transformed Groton’s landscape. ...
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Its starting to sound like Little Women season outside in Georgie’s Garden at the Boutwell House. The garden is open to visitors dawn to dusk 7 days a week. #fall
#littlewomen
#grotonhistory
#localhistory
#newengland ...
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Throw-back Thursday featuring our Town Hall on Main Street!
#ThrowbackThursday
#tbt #grotonhistory
#localhistory ...
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A little Trivia Tuesday for you! Answer is on
the second slide but let us know your
guess before. (no cheating)
#weirdhistory #trivia
#grotonhistory
#localhistory #fire ...
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It’s Mystery Monday at the Groton History Center and we have an interesting tale of 19th century murder from right here in town. Let us know what you think happened! #truecrime
#victorianera
#grotonhistory
#localhistory ...
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Vintage photographs of The Groton Inn ...
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