Our Publications and Exhibits

• Historical Collections

  From 1895 to 1928, the Topsfield Historical Society published an annual volume of historical research and stories about Topsfield. Six additional volumes were published sporadically after that, the last one produced in 2009. Most volumes contain data about Topsfield's population and buildings, news and court reports about Topsfield and essays on Topsfield's involvement in state and national history.

• Local Lore Past Issues 2002-2016

  The Local Lore is the Society's history-rich monthly newsletter.

• History of Topsfield by George Francis Dow

  Forty years of research by Topsfield's pre-eminent historian, George Francis Dow, went into this extensive history, The work was completed after his death by his wife and a dedicated set of WPA researchers. It covers Topsfield's history from the early European settlement to the end of World War I. Among the topics included are the Witchcraft Hysteria, the Revolutionary War, the coming of the railroad, the Civil War and World War I.

• Houses and Buildings of Topsfield, Massachusetts by C. Lawrence Bond

  In 1902, the Topsfield Historical Society published "The Houses and Buildings of Topsfield", by John H. Town. In 1989 C. Lawrence Bond and the Society published an update, including all structures built up to 1950. The report is organized by street name and house number making it an easy reference book.

• Historic Structure Report of the Parson Capen House by Finch & Rose (2002)

  An in-depth report on the original construction of the Parson Capen House and the work done in 1913 to restore it to what was thought to be its original condition. Commissioned by the Topsfield Historical Society, this report explains not only how the House was originally constructed but the numerous alterations that were made over the centuries, the decisions that George Francis Dow made and the remnants of all the alterations that are still visible in the House today. Many detailed pictures of the House from the past and in 2002.

• National Register of Historic Places Documentation

  Prepared by Gretchen G. Schuler & Anne M. Forbes, Preservation Consultants, April 2005. See also Historic Ipswich - Early History of Topsfield

• Domestic Life in New England in the Seventeenth Century by George Francis Dow

  A Discourse delivered in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, it being one of a series to mark the Opening of the American Wing. Published 1926.

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