Annual Chili Lunch
and Membership Meeting

Sunday, March 10, Noon
Gould Barn 1 Howlett St, Topsfield, Massachusetts

This past year has been both challenging and exciting for THS as we emerged from pandemic-related setbacks, resolved our parking situation, and looked for new ways to engage and excite the public about our rich history. Come join us on March 10th to hear about what's been happening, and what's next.

NEW! Virtual attendance at Membership Meeting via Zoom!
For the Zoom link, email: Presentations@topsfieldhistory.org.
Email requests for the Zoom link made after 8am, Sunday, March 10 may not receive the link in time for the meeting.

PLEASE use our new parking lot! DO NOT PARK in the Emerson Center’s parking lot. If our lot is full when you arrive, park along the east side of East Common Street (same side as the Gould Barn) or on Main Street.

To maximize safety and enjoyment for all attendees, THS welcomes anyone who is concerned to wear a mask.
THS reserves the right to require the wearing of masks if the public health situation warrants it at the time of the event.



Sharing the Love of History

Welcome to Topsfield The Topsfield Historical Society is dedicated to the study and preservation of the history of Topsfield Massachusetts. All volunteers, we are active participants in the vitality and character of our small town. We invite all Topsfield residents and those interested in the preservation of our town’s history to join in on our many opportunities to be involved.

We are organized to enjoy, learn and preserve the history of Topsfield, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States of America. We offer monthly talks on a wide variety of historical topics such as colonial slavery, women's history, Boston history and historical actors such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Mark Twain. We run educational programs for Topsfield schools and local children. Every June, we sponsor the Strawberry Festival which features Topsfield's local nonprofit organizations, local history exhibits and local craftspeople.

Since the early 1900s, we have owned and cared for the 1683 Parson Capen Historical House.

Interested in seeing the Parson Capen House? Private tours are available upon request by emailing: capenhouse@topsfieldhistory.org. Please give us two weeks notice before you would like to come. Volunteers are not usually available on short notice.

In the 1990s, we moved and restored the 300 year old Gould Barn which we now offer to the community as a meeting and event space.

Study

We also actively promote research and promotion of Topsfield’s history through scholarships, lectures and Topsfield school programs. We collaborate with the Topsfield Town Library, the Topsfield Town Clerk's office, the Essex National Heritage Commission, Gordon College (Wenham) and other historical and cultural organizations within Essex County and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Strawberry Festival

Our major fundraiser is the annual June Strawberry Festival which attracts newcomers, old-timers, and visitors from all over Massachusetts and the United States.

Contact Us

The Topsfield Historical Society has existed for over 100 years and has over 400 members in 18 states. We invite you to join our membership.

The Gould Barn page has more information on renting the Barn for your next event.

Questions about our historical archives can be addressed to HistoricalRecords@TopsfieldHistory.org.

We invite you to explore our website, send us your comments and join our Society.

Please Note: Do NOT call the Gould Barn phone number. That phone is for internal purposes only. No messages are taken and no calls returned.

The Society can be reached by email only. Please use the appropriate emails above or use webmaster@topsfieldhistory.org.