About Us:

The Hardwick Historical Society and Museum in Hardwick Massachusetts

Our Story

Over the years, many items of historical interest have been donated and exhibited at the Paige Library. The collection soon outgrew its home, and in 1958, a group of Hardwick citizens, led by Ernest Ritter, decided to gather and preserve these items and other records, manuscripts, and memorabilia of the town in one place.

This group felt that it was essential to form a historical society to collect items of value still hidden in attics and kept in other places in town and preserve them for future generations.

The Hardwick Historical Society was incorporated in 1961. Its purpose is to collect, hold, preserve, and exhibit items of historical value and interest, engage in and support studies, educate the community, and establish a suitable place for meetings and exhibits.

In 1962, the town sold the brick schoolhouse on the common to the Society.

This school had been built in 1834 and used for classes until the 1920s. During the construction of the Quabbin Reservoir, it held offices of the Metropolitan District Water Supply Commission. Later, the Boy Scouts had their headquarters there, and the Hardwick Fair used it for display.

The Building was repaired and divided into several sections to simulate rooms in a home.

The Board of Trustees

Hardwick Historical Society has an elected Board of Trustees that provide the management of the organization and of the Museum.

The Trustees are elected at the annual Meeting which is held on the 3rd Thursday in September at the Town House next to the Museum. This meeting is open to Historical Society members and non-members. The Trustees meet almost monthly. Anyone wanting to attend one of these meeting should e-mail us for times and dates. The public is invited to all the programs that we present. Information about these programs can be found on our Facebook page, this web page, and posters around town. We hope to do more notifications of events by email and newsletters.

The Trustees elected in September 2024 are:
President, Randy Noble
Vice President, Lisa Prouty
Secretary, Anne Barnes,
Treasurer, Penny Hannon, Gary O’Brien, Warren Johnson, and Sherri Johnson.

The Museum Shoppe

The Historical Society offers publications for anyone who is interested in the town’s past (see below). Note cards, post cards, magnets, and maps representing the town’s four villages and lapel pins are also available.

History of Hardwick, Massachusetts, 1865-1950

by Emily M Bancroft
A thorough history of Hardwick Massachusetts between the years of 1865 and 1950.
History of Hardwick, Massachusetts

by Lucius R. Paige
This book offers a comprehensive and deeply researched history of Hardwick, Massachusetts, alongside a detailed genealogical register of its inhabitants.