Haverhill, Massachusetts
Founded in 1640, Haverhill sits along the banks of the Merrimack River and features a rich tapestry of architectural and historical landmarks. From its early agricultural roots to its industrial heyday as the “Queen Slipper City,” Haverhill’s historic sites offer developers, commercial contractors, and municipalities exceptional opportunities for preservation and restoration projects.
Winnekenni Castle
Built in 1873 by Dr. James R. Nichols as his summer home, this stone castle was constructed using fieldstone harvested from the surrounding area and designed in the Gothic Revival style. The name “Winnekenni” comes from a Native American term meaning “very beautiful,” reflecting the castle’s picturesque setting overlooking Kenoza Lake and its surrounding 700-acre conservation area that now serves as a cultural center hosting numerous community events.
Phone: (978) 521-1686
John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace
This preserved 1688 farmstead was the birthplace and childhood home of celebrated Quaker poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier, who lived here for nearly 30 years. The homestead is the setting for Whittier’s most famous narrative poem “Snow-Bound,” published in 1866, and features original furnishings and architecture that provide invaluable insight into rural New England life during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
Phone: (978) 373-3979
Buttonwoods Museum
Named for the sycamore (buttonwood) trees planted on the property in the 1740s, this museum complex includes the 1814 Duncan House, the 1710-1810 John Ward House, and the 1859 Daniel Hunkins Shoe Shop. The museum showcases Haverhill’s rich history from Native American artifacts dating back 8,000 years to the city’s significant shoe manufacturing industry, with collections that also include decorative arts, textiles, and items related to Supreme Court Justice William Henry Moody.
Phone: (978) 374-4626
Tattersall Farm
Established in 1757 and gifted to the City of Haverhill in 1999 by the last surviving Tattersall family member, this 150-acre historic farm preserves a slice of New England rural heritage with its 19th-century plantings, working hay fields, and meadows. The farm features miles of wooded trails for recreational activities and is home to a magnificent historic red oak with a circumference of nearly 15 feet, serving as a living testament to the region’s natural history and agricultural legacy.
Phone: (978) 374-2390
Bradford Common Historic District
Centered on a triangular common formed by South Main Street, Salem Street, and Church Street, this historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The district features a diverse collection of wooden-frame houses in various architectural styles from the 18th and 19th centuries, representing the evolution of American residential design and showcasing the historical development of this section of Haverhill that was originally the town center of Bradford before its annexation in 1897.
Phone: (978) 374-3341
Duston-Dustin Garrison House
Built around 1700, this First Period house is one of the very few surviving brick houses from this era in Massachusetts and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The house is associated with the Dustin family, particularly Hannah Duston, who was captured by Native Americans during a 1697 attack on Haverhill while this brick fortress was under construction by her husband Thomas Dustin, a respected brick maker and mason whose skilled craftsmanship has allowed the structure to survive for over 320 years.
Phone: (978) 372-8251
Haverhill Firefighting Museum
Established in 2003, this museum houses one of the most extensive collections of firefighting artifacts illustrating the history of New England firefighting from colonial days to the present. The museum features antique trucks, firefighting and rescue equipment, and a popular “Hero Headquarters” interactive children’s area, preserving the rich heritage of the city’s fire department and the evolution of firefighting techniques and technology over the centuries.
Phone: (978) 372-4061
Rocks Village Hand Tub House
Built in 1829, this historic structure was an early firehouse that housed a manually operated fire-fighting pump (hence “hand tub”) and is located in the Rocks Village Historic District, which was listed in the National Register in 1976. The building was constructed primarily using Federal stylistic elements and stands as a testament to early firefighting methods in rural New England, now preserved as a museum and education center by the Rocks Village Memorial Association.
Phone: (978) 372-5531
Museum of Printing
Dedicated to preserving the rich history of the graphic arts, printing, and typesetting technology, this museum houses an extensive collection spanning over 500 years of printing craftsmanship. The exhibits showcase the evolution of printing technology from letterpress printing to photographic and electronic technologies, making it a valuable resource for understanding the development of communication methods that shaped human civilization and an important preservation site for industrial heritage.
Phone: (978) 686-0450
Haverhill Public Library
Established in 1875, this architectural gem features a stunning brick and stone façade that combines elements of Romanesque Revival and Beaux-Arts styles. The library has been a center for learning and community gathering for nearly 150 years, with multiple expansions throughout its history that have preserved its historical character while adapting to modern needs, making it a perfect example of how historic structures can be maintained and repurposed for ongoing civic use.
Phone: (978) 373-1586
Washington Street Shoe District
Once home to over 60 shoe factories in the space of just a few blocks, this atmospheric district showcases Haverhill’s industrial heyday when it was known as the “Queen Slipper City,” producing one-tenth of all shoes made in the United States by 1913. The high brick factory buildings along Washington and Wingate Streets represent different architectural periods, from the daintier Italianate factories of the early industrial era to the more austere and larger factories of the late 19th century, many of which have been repurposed for modern commercial and residential use.
Phone: (978) 374-2390
Hannah Duston Memorial
Located in Grand Army Republic Park, this historic statue commemorates Hannah Duston, a colonial woman who became famous after being captured during a 1697 raid on Haverhill. The monument holds the distinction of being the first statue erected in honor of a woman in the United States and represents an important piece of early colonial history, while also serving as a significant example of 19th-century commemorative public art designed to celebrate local historical figures.
Phone: (978) 374-2390
Bradford Rail Trail
Developed on the former Georgetown Spur of the Boston and Maine Railroad, which carried passengers from 1851 to 1931 and freight until 1981, this recreational pathway runs along the south bank of the Merrimack River. The trail features historical and educational markers along with a series of five sculptures forming an art walk, representing a successful adaptive reuse of historic transportation infrastructure that preserves the railway’s heritage while creating a valuable recreational resource for the community.
Phone: (978) 374-2388
Rocks Village Historic District
Established in the early 18th century as a vital crossing point of the Merrimack River, this historic district preserves a collection of buildings that tell the story of early settlement and trade in the region. The district includes the Rocks Village Bridge, constructed in 1883 and renovated in 2013, connecting Haverhill to West Newbury, along with numerous historic homes, the Hand Tub House, and the old toll house, collectively showcasing nearly three centuries of architectural evolution and community development.
Phone: (978) 372-5531
Haverhill’s Historic City Hall
Originally built in 1909 as Haverhill High School, this impressive Renaissance Revival style building was designed by architect C. Willis Damon and later repurposed to serve as the city’s administrative center. The structure’s grand facade features classical columns, ornate detailing, and a prominent central entrance, making it a landmark in the Main Street Historic District and an excellent example of civic architecture from the early 20th century that has been adapted for continued public use.
Phone: (978) 374-2300
Main Street Historic District
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, this district represents the civic core of Haverhill and includes properties along Main Street between White Street and Arlington Street to the north, and Crescent Place and Summer Street to the south. Notable features include the Renaissance Revival style former high school (now City Hall), the 18th and 19th century town common (now G.A.R. Park), the Hannah Duston statue, and three Romanesque Revival style churches, collectively showcasing the architectural and civic development of Haverhill over multiple centuries.
Phone: (978) 374-3341
George Washington Square
This historic public space marks the site where President George Washington visited Haverhill on November 4, 1789, during his tour of New England following his inauguration. The square features commemorative markers and landscaping that honors Washington’s visit to the city, representing an important connection between Haverhill and the earliest days of the United States and serving as a reminder of the city’s place in the nation’s founding era.
Phone: (978) 374-2390
Historic New England Collections Center
This Haverhill facility serves as the major collections and archives center for Historic New England, housing the world’s largest collection of New England artifacts comprising more than 125,000 decorative arts items and 1.5 million archival documents. The center is part of a major expansion initiative in Haverhill that aims to transform the city into a cultural destination, preserving invaluable historical materials while offering researchers and the public access to unique resources documenting New England’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Phone: (617) 227-3956
Basiliere Bridge
Completed in 1925, this distinctive steel truss bridge spans the Merrimack River connecting downtown Haverhill with Bradford and was named in honor of Private Ralph T. Basiliere, the first Haverhill resident killed in World War II. The bridge underwent a major rehabilitation in 2018 to preserve its historic character while ensuring structural integrity, demonstrating the importance of maintaining historic transportation infrastructure and representing a key connection in Haverhill’s urban development across the Merrimack River.
Phone: (978) 374-2390
First Presbyterian Church
Built in 1884 in the Gothic Revival style, this historic church features distinctive architectural elements including a prominent bell tower, pointed arched windows with stained glass, and intricate woodwork throughout the sanctuary. The church represents Haverhill’s religious heritage and the architectural trends of late 19th century ecclesiastical design, continuing to serve as both a religious institution and a landmark of historical significance within the city’s architectural landscape.
Phone: (978) 374-1221
Pentucket Bank Building
Built in 1890, this striking Romanesque Revival structure at 35 Merrimack Street features impressive brownstone construction with arched windows, decorative stonework, and a corner turret that makes it one of downtown Haverhill’s most distinctive buildings. The building represents the prosperity of Haverhill during its industrial heyday and has been carefully preserved to maintain its architectural integrity while remaining in active use, demonstrating successful historic preservation in a commercial context.
Phone: (978) 372-7731
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