Braintree Historical Society  31 Tenney Road,  Braintree, MA  02184

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Gilbert Bean Museum and Research Library


The Gilbert Bean Museum and Research Library houses the Braintree Historical Society’s exhibit galleries, gift shop, and offices. 

This facility, the design and construction of which were completed during the National Bicentennial period, 1974-1976, was conceived as a complement to the Thayer House; it was named for Gilbert L. Bean, a past president of the Society who was instrumental in the relocation of the Sylvanus Thayer House. The post and beam construction are consistent with early American buildings of its type. It houses the gift shop, exhibits, storage and work areas. Additionally, the barn’s center gallery will also host classroom space for visiting artisans offering courses in a variety of historic handicrafts.

Click here to View Research Library


 

The Mary Bean Cunningham Historical Resource Center

The addition to the Barn Museum was completed in 1995, with two levels of exhibit and library space that are fully ADA accessible. The main level contains a reception area and two large museum galleries. One of these features furniture built between the late 17th century, 18th century and 19th centuries, as well as a number of 19th-century paintings. The other is focused on the Civil War period, by way of a variety of military artifacts and various memorabilia of the period.

On the lower level are the sizeable Society library, archives and conservation area.  This section attracts many researchers seeking genealogical information about families with Braintree origins or connections. A third (unfinished) level contains a sizeable collection of early American tools, farm implements, ice cutting gear and other artifacts.
 

Current Exhibits:

Four Centuries of Fine Furniture from the 16th -19th Centuries

 

The History of  Braintree’s Fire Department

 
A Nation Divided:  An Exhibit on the Civil War

 


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Last modified: 02/01/10