Our Headquarters
General Gideon Foster House
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The Peabody Historical Society was founded in 1896 by Elizabeth Cheever Osborne. Its members came from all walks of life but shared a common interest in the preservation of local history. From its first home, a small meeting room in the Warren bank building, the Society moved into the General Gideon Foster House in 1916 and remains the Society's headquarters today.
View of the Hallway Entrance
Above, is a view of the hallway gallery at the first floor main entrance.
Each room of the house features displays relating to Peabody's historic past.

Below, the Victorian parlor represents a lifestyle not uncommon to mid 19th century Peabody.
View of the Hallway Gallery
Peabody Memorial Room Above, is an interior view showing the hearth in the Peabody Memorial Room. Example of Victorian Clothing
The Peabody Historical Society maintains a large collection of clothing, jewelry and accessories of the Victorian era as seen in the image to the right.

The Society's Ruth Hill Library contains an extensive collection of books, maps, manuscripts, photographs and records pertinent to the city of Peabody's history from the earliest times.

The library is open to the public for research every Tuesday evening, Wednesday afternoon or by special appointment.

The Military Room contains artifacts of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War I and II; it also features local military men and women, many are still residents of Peabody.

We reserve the Children's Room as the last stop when we have children touring our museum. Once they realize it is a hands on experience, they are reluctant to go to other exhibits.