Norwell Historical Society
Keeping Norwell's history alive for the next generation and beyond.
Norwell Historical Society
Keeping Norwell's history alive for the next generation and beyond.
About Us
Where We Are
How We Celebrate History
How We Celebrate History
We do our work in two Norwell locations: our Research Library & Archives are located on the third floor of the Sparrell School, and our Museum is located at the historic Jacobs Farmhouse.
How We Celebrate History
How We Celebrate History
How We Celebrate History
From tours of the Jacobs Farmhouse, to gatherings that bring together neighbors to learn about their local history, to historic talks and presentations for all ages--this is how we celebrate the history of our town, one historic event at a time. See our events page for more info.
Preservation Work We Do
How We Celebrate History
Preservation Work We Do
The Norwell Historical Society is the keeper of our town's treasures--from old postcard collections, to family bibles, to Lucy Damon Waugh's 1888 wedding dress--we protect and preserve the items that tell our town's story, while we publish and write about the continued tale.
BECOME PART OF HISTORY.
Your membership and contributions
will support our mission to keep
Norwell's history alive
for the next generation and beyond.
Historic Photo Gallery
Norwell Schools & Town Buildings
Some of these structures still stand, some are long gone. Questions about a photo? Please contact us for more information.
Ridge Hill School
This building is still standing at the corner of Oak and Washington Street (Route 53). Note the small shed in the back of the school which housed a Ridge Hill branch of the Norwell Public Library.
Center School
This building no longer stands, but its location is where the current Coastal Heritage Bank drive-thru is located in Norwell Center.
Norwell High School & Town Hall
Located approximately at the location of Town Hall today. In 1922, another High School was built behind this structure and both buildings burned down in 1935.
Norwell High School & Town Hall
Norwell High & Grammar School
This building, built in 1922 on the site of the current Town Hall, burned in 1935 from faulty wiring. Displaced Norwell students attended afternoon sessions in Hanover until the new school (Sparrell School today) was built.
The Almshouse in Norwell Center
On the site of the Cushing Center today, the Norwell Almshouse is the four-chimneyed building. It housed the "ill and infirmed" in town prior to any welfare programs. The building was taken down in the 1930s in preparation for the building of the Cushing Center.
The Almshouse in Norwell Center
Fire Department No. 1
On the site of the current Central Fire Station, this building was moved to the corner of Lincoln and Norwell Avenue when the new fire station was built. This building is visible in the Town Hall photo at right.
Town Hall
The Cushing Center was built in 1936 as the new Town Hall. $100,000 was given by Florence Cushing to build the structure in honor of her father, Hayward Pierce Cushing, and her uncle, Nathan Cushing.
Norwell Houses
The Norwell House
166 Norwell Avenue was the home of Henry Norwell, after whom the town was named.
May Elm Farm
841 Main Street was the home of Rev. Samuel May, a renowned prohibitionist. To learn more about Rev. May, see the article in our LINKS section.
The Admiral Eaton House
The site of a murder mystery in the early 1900s, this house is now home to businesses at 427 Washington Street (Route 53).
Central Street
These houses, at 42 and 48 Central Street, still stand today--although 48 Central no longer has the Victorian-styled porch.
Town Center
These homes in town center still stand at 661 and 667 Main Street.
Jonathan & Joseph Turner House
At 869 Main Street, this house looks much the same today--horse included.
George Anson Robbins House
At 593 Main Street, the Victorian gingerbread and porch are no longer on this home. Built circa 1836, the Victorian additions were made by a style-conscious owner in the late 1800s.
Main Street
"Parson's Row" looks much the same today--minus the towering elm trees. These houses are located at 637 and 647 Main Street today.
The Delano Mansion
Built in 1803 by William Delano, this house stands proudly today at 370 River Street.
Ridge Hill Photos
Accord Post Office & Store
Located at Queen Anne's Corner, this building was located just over the town line in Hingham where the Bank of America branch is today.
Charles Grose & Son Shoe Factory
The first Grose Shoe Factory on High Street, it was later replaced by a larger structure.
Charles Grose & Sons Shoe Factory
Located on High Street, this factory burned in 1901 in the early evening under the ownership of Charles Webster Grose (named then as the Ridge Hill Shoe Factory).
Gardner Blacksmith Shop
Located on Washington Street (at the site of Alfredo Aiello's today), Horatio Gardner started the blacksmith shop in 1838 when he moved from Gardner Street in Hingham with his new bride.
Horatio Gardner House
Formerly located on Washington Street and moved to School Street in 1986, this photo shows Gardner, his wife Martha, their son Ed, and a worker in their blacksmith shop. Gardner was an early Selectman in town.
Wishing Well
Demolished in the 1980s, the Wishing Well was a yard goods store that stood where the MacDonalds is on Washington Street today.
Stoddard House
Located at 48 Washington Street (the location of the Taco Bell today).
Stoddard House in the 1970s
The Stoddard House stood proudly on Washington Street in the 70s.
Sledding on Ridge Hill
Imagine sledding towards Washington Street today!? This scene is next to the Stoddard House on the hill where the Urgent Care Center and the Citizens Bank are now located!
The Jacobs Farmhouse & Lands
In 1723, Joseph and Joshua Jacobs built a dam on the Third Herring Brook and created what is known today as Jacobs Pond. The brothers subsequently erected saw and grist mills on the dam. In 1726, Joshua Jacobs married Mary James and built a Georgian-style home on a large tract of land he owned on the east side of Jacobs Pond. That house is known today as the Jacobs Farmhouse—owned by the Town of Norwell and containing a museum that is run by the Norwell Historical Society.
The Jacobs Mills
This undated photo shows the saw and grist mills built by the Jacobs. This photo was taken from road in front of the Assinippi Cemetery.
Jacobs Farmhouse
Taken from Main Street--the site of the Woodworth baseball fields entrance. To learn more about the history of the Jacobs family and their lands, see the article in our LINKS section.
Assinippi Cemetery, Jacobs Mill & Jacobs Pond
On Memorial Day in the late 1800s or early 1900s, this photo shows the orchard that used to be on the Jacobs property near the pond.
Buildings and Misc. Photos
Norwell School Barge
Kids needed to get to school before cars were invented!
Shepard Norwell & Co.
This image is taken from a Christmas card from Shepard & Norwell--the Boston Dry Goods company owned by Henry Norwell.
Building Route 3
Aerial photo taken mid-1900s of Norwell and Route 3 being built. It is believed that this photo shows High Street and the structures under construction are the Route 3 overpass bridges (recently re-constructed).
Sargent's Restaurant
In Assinippi at the corner of Route 53 and Route 123, portions of this building still stand.
North River Boat Club
When the mouth of the North River changed in 1898, the North River Boat Club house was flooded at every high tide. The building was moved to Winter Street and the Club disbanded.
Curtis Store in Norwell Center
The site of the Norwell General & Package Store today.
Town Center Fire in 1957
May Elm Water Tower
Mostly no longer standing, this water tower and windmill was used for the animals at May Elm Farm on Main Street.
Bank in Norwell Center
The bank in Norwell Center was remodeled in 1934 around this original building. This bank had Fogg's Hall on the second floor--shows and dances were held there.
Launching of the Helen M. Foster
The last large ship to be launched from a North River Shipyard, the Helen M. Foster was put in the North River in 1871 at the Chittenden Yard.
Henry Norwell
In 1888, the town of South Scituate voted to change its name to Norwell after Boston businessman and summer resident Henry Norwell.
Snow Photos from Norwell's Past
These photos come from the Mary Osborn Knapp Collection--Mary's Father, Perry Osborn, was the Norwell Highway Surveyor for many years.
1940 Snow Clearing
In front of 683 Main Street, Norwell.
A View from the Road, 1940
Snow near 761 Main Street.
It Takes a Team, 1940
Main Street, 1940
1867 Snow Clearing Budget
Taken from the 1867 South Scituate Town Report. With no town crew, residents were paid to clear snow.
Sleighs on Torrey's Pond
Would you like to look at more photos? The Society can use your help. If you are interested, please contact us to help!