Cohasset Historical Society, Cohasset, MA

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Cohasset Historical Society

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ABOUT

PROPERTIES

COLLECTIONS

EVENTS

MEMBERSHIP

GIFT SHOPPE

COHASSET VIEWS

CONTACT

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Welcome to the Cohasset Historical Society

Incorporated originally as an outgrowth of the Committee On Town History, the Cohasset Historical Society has been collecting, safeguarding and exhibiting artifacts relating to Cohasset's historic past since 1928. Headquartered at 106 S. Main St. in the town's original 1903 library, the Society operates two additional seasonal museums in the center of town. The ca. 1760 Bates Ship Chandlery houses our Maritime Museum and the 1810 Captain John Wilson House interprets life in Cohasset during the 1800s. Our society has a significant collection of clothing and textiles dating from the 1700’s throughout the mid 1900’s. The Society’s Helen Howes Vosoff collection of theatrical artifacts records the history of summer performing arts in Cohasset from its start in the 1800’s to its present day South Shore Music Circus.

Historic Map of Cohasset

Click below to see our tour of historic locations in Cohasset and learn about the people, stories and history that make them important.

Become A Member!

Become a member and be among the first to know about special events. Enjoy members-only events, including meetings with authors and guest speakers.

Join now...

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ABOUT

About Us

The Cohasset Historical Society's mission is to collect, preserve, and present the history of Cohasset through acquisitions, exhibitions, research, events and programs on local and regional history.

The acquisiton of the Pratt Building in 2003 provided the Society with space to expand the scope of its programs, exhibititions and community outreach. Open year round, Monday-Friday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, the Pratt Building contains the Society's research archives and draws visitors from around the world. Our two seasonal summer museums offer visitors an opportunity to learn about life in early Cohasset.

Our spring and fall night lecture series covers topics as varied as the Road to Jerusalem to Quincy Quarries to What's In A Name, identifiying some of Cohasset's favorite places.

Our quarterly newsletter highlights local history as well as items in our collection. Sent to members it provides a glimpse into the daily activities of the Society as well as a calendar of events.

The Society's varied activities offer opportunities for every interest. Volunteers are an invaluable asset to the operation of the Society. Please consider a membership and/or volunteering.

The Cohasset Historical Society is a member of the following organizations:

Back Roads of the South Shore

Costume Society of America

New England Museum Association

American Association of Museums

Plymouth County Conventions & Visitors Bureau

PROPERTIES

Our Properties

Small Business Consulting

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1810 Captain John Wilson House Restored with the generousity of Community Preservation Act funding, 1810 Captain John Wilson House located at 4 Elm St., contains period household furnishings and exhibits about 19th century life in Cohasset. Built by David Nichols and purchased soon thereafter by Captain John Wilson, the house remained in the Wilson family until 1912. Through the years the house became a marine supply store, tea room and gift shop, photographer's studio, candy store until it was given to the Historical Society by William McGaw in 1936 for ithe Society's first headquarters and museum. The Wilson House remains the last unaltered example of the 19th century residences that once comprised Cohasset's center village. Open summers, Wednesday-Friday, 1:00-4:00 and Saturdays, 10:00-2:00.

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Business Plans

Marketing Plans

1903 Paul Pratt Building - Society HeadquartersDesigned by Edward Nichols, a Cohasset native and Boston architect, the Pratt Building was built in 1903 to provide Cohasset with a central library building for both the private Paul Pratt Memorial Library and the town's Cohasset Free Public Library. The walls of the rotunda are noteworthy for holding four large murals painted by prominent Cohasset artist MacIvor Reddie. The murals depict scenes of the town's history from Captain John Smith's arrival in 1614 to the peak years of Cohasset's maritime era in the 1850s.Now housing the Historical Society's extensive archives, library, historic costumes and textiles, and other collections, the Pratt Building is located at 106 S. Main St. and open to the public year-round, Monday-Friday, 10:00 am. to 4:00 pm. for exhibits, lectures, programs and research facilities. The Society's evening activities are also often held here.

Ca. 1760 Maritime Museum The Maritime Museum built as a ship Chandlery for the Bates fishing business now features maritime aritifacts that reflect Cohasset's long seafaring history. Originally located at the harbor, the building was given to the Society by Mr. and Mrs. William Cox and moved to its present location on Elm St. in 1957. Open summers, Wed.-Fri., 1-4 and Sat. 10-2.

COLLECTIONS

Our Collections

Worth Gown
Osgood c. 1905
Wedding Gown
South Main St. 1917

The Society houses a varied collection in three buildings, all of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. From historic photographs to documentary records, deeds, postcards, maps, books and genealogical history, the Society's archival collection is equally impressive as its object collection which includes 19th century furniture and decorative arts, historic textiles, ephemera capturing Cohasset's theatrical past and a large collection of paintings depicting the town's seascapes, landscapes, people and places.The Helen Howes Vosoff Theater Archive, established in the 1980s, spans more than a century of Cohasset's theatrical history. The archive includes artifacts from the Hanlon Brothers' Pantomine Theater of the late 1880s, the Cohasset Dramatic Club founded in 1921 which continues performances to this day, the South Shore Players of the 1930s and 1940s and the South Shore Music Circus which began in 1951 and which is a lineal descendant of the South Shore Players, The Society's textile collection began in the 1940s and now contains close to 4000 items. The collection covers a broad range of women's, men's and children's clothing dating roughly from the early 1800s to the present day. Exquisite wedding dresses, and extraordinary quilts and samplers are among the high points of the collection.

EVENTS

Upcoming and Past Events

Upcoming Events: (At 106 South Main St., Cohasset unless otherwise stated.) For specific information please call 781-383-1434 or email us at cohassethistory_yahoo.comWEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 20127:30 pm. Light RefreshmentsWEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 20127:30 pm. Light RefresmentsIN OUR CLOSETThe Cohasset Historical Society is offering a very special series that starts in January and continues with the second lecture in February. For the January presentation Martha Hurtig, head of the Textile & Costume Collection, and Martha Fisher, our SCSEP representatiave, will tell us "how" we acquire our accessions, how we preserve them, and how we display them on mannequins showcasing some of our oldest dresses and oldest trousers. February, the second of the lecture series, will focus on accessories in our collections. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Past Events:The opportunity to support the Historical Society, by buying raffle tickets was well received. $100.00 worth of MA Lottery Tickets (unscratched and nicely framed.) at $5.00 per ticket or three for $10.00 were available. TheDrawing was at the Wassail Party on December 4th. A local resident won!WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011 7:30 pm Light RefreshmentsHarvey Dickstein presented James Joyce's Historical Dublin. This was a lookaround Dublin as it related to the works and life of James Joyce.SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011WASSAIL PARTY 2 - 4 pmWe had a wonderful turn-out at our annual Wassail Party. And by all accountsthe eats were not too bad either.

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S. S. Mus. Cir. Carousel 1960
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MEMBERSHIP

Membership

Sponsorship

The Cohasset Historical Society is the primary resource for the promotion and preservation of history in Cohasset. We hold a unique place of leadership in the community and enjoy some longstanding relationships with the schools, local businesses and corporate sponsors. We continue to welcome new partnerships with those who share the conviction that supporting the Historical Society is not only a worthy cause but also an exceptional marketing strategy to reach an affluent and engaged audience.

Volunteer

Volunteers contribute actively to our organization and assist in all phases of operation. Help when you can or participate on an ongoing basis.

Contact us to learn more about volunteering!

Download our membership application form and mail with payment to:

Membership Application

Cohasset Historical Society

P.O. Box 627

Cohasset, MA 02025

Make checks payable to:

Cohasset Historical Society

Enjoy the Benefits of Membership

• Members-only quarterly newsletter

• Members-only exhibition previews

• Access to the Historical Society's library and archives

• Reduced admission for certain programs and events

• Advance notice of upcoming events

Please help us preserve Cohasset's rich history! Our three historic museums offer opportunities for all interests.

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GIFT SHOPPE

Gift Shoppe

The Pratt Building, 106 South Main Street

Visit our Gift Shoppe! We have books, cards, DVDs, refrigerator magnets, art work, tote bags, and our Cohasset flags for sale.

Our DVDs for sale at $16.00, include:

• Tall Ships Tour of Boston Harbor

• Margaret Reed Exhibit

• Holiday House Tour

• More Stately Mansions

• Greenbush Train Ride

Cohasset Town Flags

Needlework Book

Our Cohasset Town Flags are available for sale. Stop by 106 South Main Street and pick up yours. Only $42.50 each. Order some to be sent as gifts to friends and relatives on your gift list.

Needlework in the Cohasset Historical Society: an illustrated collection of samplers explaining the design and history of just a few of the pieces from our archives. $11.00 including tax.

COHASSET VIEWS

Cohasset Views

Cohasset Common
Cohasset Harbor
Bridge

CONTACT

Contact Us

Cohasset Historical Society

106 South Main Street

Cohasset, MA 02025

781-383-1434

Hours: M-F 10AM - 4PM Sat/Sun: Closed

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