For thousands of years, the land that encompasses what is today Norwell was inhabited by indigenous people. These natives grew crops, foraged, hunted, and fished in the Assinippi and North River areas.
Get out of the house, drive around Norwell, and learn some history! Click HERE to begin.
The State Library of Massachusetts has most of Norwell's (1888+), South Scituate's (1849-1887), and Scituate's (1848 and before) Annual Reports. Here is the LINK that brings you there.
The Norwell Public Library has posted many old yearbooks to the Digital Commonwealth. Here is the LINK to the site.
If you would like to research the history of your Norwell home--in order to get a historic plaque or just for fun--the Historical Society has a Guide for Researching Your Historic Home at this LINK.
The Massachusetts Historical Commission maintains a database of historic homes in Norwell and throughout the Commonwealth called MACRIS. To view the listing, use this LINK.
The Plymouth County Registry of Deeds has a database of documents from 1686 until today. Remember: if you are searching for a deed in Norwell prior to 1888, you must search in the town of Scituate.
The Stetson Kindred of America (founded in 1905) is a non-profit organization made up of descendants of Cornet Robert and Honour Stetson. To view their brochure, use this LINK.
The Norwell Historical Society sponsors regular Neighborhood History Parties where neighbors are invited to a historic home to learn about the area in which they live. The following are the write-ups on those neighborhoods where we have had events. Would you like to have a Neighborhood History Party in your area? Please contact the Society HERE and let us know!
The Norwell Historical Society produces various brochures and pamphlets (sometimes in conjunction with other organizations such as the NSRWA or the Norwell Cemetery Committee.)
A few interesting articles from our Archives have been transcribed and linked here.
The Society prints regular newsletters for its members. If you would like to receive a printed copy
of our newsletter, become a member HERE. Below are links to past issues.