Beechwood Meetinghouse and Museum, ca. 1867
Formerly the 1867 Beechwood Congregational Church, the Beechwood Meetinghouse and Museum has been transformed by the Society into a museum that showcases the history of the Cohasset fire and police departments as well as Beechwood's 19th-century farming community.
Located at 51 Church Street, the Meetinghouse is currently available for scheduled tours and small functions.
The ground floor exhibits many artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays. Featured are the Society’s two antique 19th-century handtub pumpers, the 1848 Independence 2 and the 1856 Konohassett
On the upper level, the meeting room (which still retains the church’s original pews) provides a light-filled gathering place, available for lectures, weddings, concerts, and other group functions. Contact us to learn more.
Clarissa Harris, with twelve of her neighbors, was the initial founder of the church in 1862. At first, they met in rental space over Brown's General Store on Beechwood Street.
After land was donated in 1866, a modest, white clapboard Greek Revival with black shutters and steeple, typical of many 19th century New England country churches, was constructed and furnished at the cost of $5,734, including pews and pulpit.
Now the people of Beechwood no longer had to travel up to six miles both ways to attend church services in the center of town. Typical Sunday services at the church took all day and well into the evening.
View some of the museum’s collection
A selection of fire uniforms and helmets on view at the Beechwood Meetinghouse and Museum.
Beechwood Fire Department, Company Two.
Weathervane from the Beechwood Fire Station.
The hand tub pumper, Konohasset, could throw a stream of water over 100 feet.