Paul Pratt Memorial Library, ca. 1903
Society Headquarters
The Pratt Building, located at 106 South Main Street, houses the Society’s extensive archives and collections of historic clothing and textiles, paintings, decorative arts, vintage photographs, and ephemera. Changing exhibits, lectures, and other programs are held in the Pratt’s first-floor rooms.
We are open to the public year-round, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Researchers are welcome, but appointments made in advance are required.
On the morning of the first Wednesday of every month, our curator will lead special behind-the-scenes tours of our collection in the Pratt Building. Reservations must be made in advance. Call or contact us to reserve your spot.
Local architect Edward Nichols designed the Paul Pratt Memorial Library in 1903. The Society purchased the building a century later when the town relocated the library to 35 Ripley Road. Thanks to Community Preservation funding, in 2005, spaces were reallocated, and the old metal library stacks were adapted to house most of the Society's collection.
Exhibits in the front reading rooms have explored subjects as varied as shipwrecks along Cohasset's shoreline, cod fishing, wedding gowns, wealthy Bostonians and their "summer cottages," and artists painting Cohasset over 90 summers.
Recently, one of the large front rooms has become a research center for staff - and visitors by appointment. The Society's extensive archives are particularly strong in a number of areas, including biographies, business records, residential documents, and maritime history.
The walls of the rotunda are decorated with four historic murals painted by Cohasset artist MacIvor Reddie in 1947.
In 1614, Captain John Smith and his companions entered Cohasset Harbor in a two-masted longboat opposite the rocks known as Hominy Point.
Joshua Fisher surveyed the unpopulated uplands of Hingham’s second precinct, then known as Conahasset, in 1670. Here he prepares to divide the acreage into shares for qualified landowners.
During the American Revolution, while the men of Cohasset were away fighting the British, Resolution Tower carted water by oxcart over a mile to keep the corn from dying, providing nourishment to her patients at the smallpox hospital.
During an age when local ports were vital to their community, Cohasset Harbor was the center of the town's commercial activity. Shown at top left is Tower Brothers' wharf with its many buildings.
View a sampling of the collection at the Pratt Building
The third iteration of Black Rock House, a well known Cohasset hotel that attracted many famous guests before it was torn down in 1971.
19th century hand fan of carved wood, feathers and the tips of peacock feathers. Donated to the Society for the textile collection by the Low Family in 1972.
Christopher James Farmhouse, now the Red Lion Inn, Cohasset Village. Painted by Frank Shapleigh, dated 1885.
An example of Carlo Conte’s 18th-century style miniature furniture, which he created by hand.
We are open to the public year-round, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for exhibits, lectures, programs, and research facilities.
