The BHS is located in the heart of our rural town in a beautiful Greek Revival house built in 1836 overlooking Barre's picturesque common which is dotted with historical monuments paying homage to Barre's past. Additionally, we have a modern building on our grounds that houses our fully conserved 1859 Concord Coach as well as our Allen Gallery.
Upcoming Event
CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEA
Sunday, December 15, 2019, 2 p.m.
The Barre Historical Society, 18 Common St, Barre, MA 01005
Join us in the front parlor of the BHS for special Christmas tea. A magical way to enjoy the holiday season here in Barre-- sip on gourmet tea and enjoy light snacks while overlooking beautiful Barre common. Ladies and gentlemen are encouraged to adorn their best ‘high tea’ finery for this festive occasion. All ages welcome!
New Ehxhibit
HISTORICAL SOCIETY EXHIBIT RECALLS THE END OF WORLD WAR I
The exhibit may be viewed on Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon (please call the Society at 978-355-4978 first to make sure winter conditions have not necessitated closure) or by appointment, also by calling the Society and leaving a message.
Don't miss this opportunity to experience one small town's connection to a global event that affected the destiny of our nation and the world, both at the time and for many generations thereafter.
The Barre Historical Society recalls a time of transition, when the relief of an ending war was tempered by the losses suffered in that victory. The euphoria of guns having fallen silent was met in equal or greater measure by the grief of coping with the painful absence of loved ones at dinner tables.
Among other personal moments, the Society in its current exhibit recalls the epic loss of resident and Barre Wool employee Ida Exley, who perished along with 1,197 others when the British passenger liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-Boat within sight of the coast of Ireland on May 7, 1915. Miss Exley's tragic demise emboldened several of her co-workers to return to England to enlist in the military to avenge her death. Photographs of these historical figures, along with memorabilia from the Lusitania, are also on display.
A collection of photographs of the men from Barre who served in World War I is also featured in the exhibit, plus honor rolls and programs for both the return of soldiers to our town and for the dedication of the iconic "Dough Boy" monument in North Park. Posters which were displayed in the Barre Post Office during the war, emphasizing victory, civilian participation, patriotism and conservation of resources are also on view, along with a uniform worn by Barre resident Paul Snyder.
Our Latest News
BHS featured in a recent Telegram and Gazette article for our recent program on Harriet Tubman portrayed by the fabulous Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti, see it here.
This year's annual members only Christmas Party was the most fun in recent memory due to the addition of a trivia competition. Questions included those pertinent to Barre's history as well as holiday themes questions such as, "What are the names of all Santa's reindeer?". Proud winners of this years competition are pictured above.
On November 4th, 2018 a group of about 20 people aged one to 80 years joined historian Lucy Allen for a walk to Rum Rock and Shelter Rock as part of her presentation on Barre/Petersham's Pirate Valley. The group enjoyed a beautiful Autumn day in the woods and later met at the Dudley home (now being resorted by Sean & Molly DuBois), which is one of the last standing historic home in Pirate Valley.
