Old Colony Historical Society
Encyclopedia
The Old Colony Historical Society (OCHS) is located at 66 Church Green in Taunton
, Bristol County
, Massachusetts
, USA.
Since 1926, the Society has occupied the historic former Bristol Academy school building. The building was designed in 1852 by Richard Upjohn
, architect of New York City’s Trinity Church, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
as part of the Church Green Historic District. The Society was previously located in the former Union Mission Chapel
on Cedar Street.
The OCHS is one of New England
's oldest historical societies, being founded in 1853; its mission is to preserve the history of the people of the Taunton region and to share this history with its audience, inspiring in them a sense of community as they shape the future.
The Society maintains a research library specializing in genealogy of Southeastern Massachusetts
and local history, a museum of objects associated with the history of the Taunton area, and many public programs.
OCHS is open Tuesdays - Saturdays from 10:00 - 4:00, but is closed on holidays and on Saturdays preceding Monday holidays. Admission fees apply, but free admission is one benefit of membership in the OCHS.
Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River...
, Bristol County
Bristol County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 534,678 people, 205,411 households, and 140,706 families residing in the county. The population density was 962 people per square mile . There were 216,918 housing units at an average density of 390 per square mile...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, USA.
Since 1926, the Society has occupied the historic former Bristol Academy school building. The building was designed in 1852 by Richard Upjohn
Richard Upjohn
Richard Upjohn was an English-born architect who emigrated to the United States and became most famous for his Gothic Revival churches. He was partially responsible for launching the movement to such popularity in the United States. Upjohn also did extensive work in and helped to popularize the...
, architect of New York City’s Trinity Church, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as part of the Church Green Historic District. The Society was previously located in the former Union Mission Chapel
Union Mission Chapel-Historical Hall
Union Mission Chapel-Historical Hall is an historic building located on Cedar Street in Taunton, Massachusetts.The Chapel was built in 1867 and served as a mission for many years until it was sold to the Old Colony Historical Society, which occupied the building until about 1926.It was added to the...
on Cedar Street.
The OCHS is one of New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
's oldest historical societies, being founded in 1853; its mission is to preserve the history of the people of the Taunton region and to share this history with its audience, inspiring in them a sense of community as they shape the future.
The Society maintains a research library specializing in genealogy of Southeastern Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and local history, a museum of objects associated with the history of the Taunton area, and many public programs.
OCHS is open Tuesdays - Saturdays from 10:00 - 4:00, but is closed on holidays and on Saturdays preceding Monday holidays. Admission fees apply, but free admission is one benefit of membership in the OCHS.
See also
- First Parish Church (Taunton, Massachusetts)First Parish Church (Taunton, Massachusetts)First Parish Church is an historic church located within the Church Green Historic District in Taunton, Massachusetts. It is the fourth meetinghouse since 1647 to be located on what was the original town common...
- Taunton City HallTaunton City HallTaunton City Hall is an historic city hall containing the offices of the municipal government for the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, including the office of the mayor and the city council chambers. The building was originally constructed in 1848, and expanded in 1896. It is a contributing...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Taunton, MassachusettsNational Register of Historic Places listings in Taunton, MassachusettsList of Registered Historic Places in Taunton, Massachusetts, which has been transferred from and is an integral part of National Register of Historic Places listings in Bristol County, Massachusetts...
- Plymouth ColonyPlymouth ColonyPlymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 to 1691. The first settlement of the Plymouth Colony was at New Plymouth, a location previously surveyed and named by Captain John Smith. The settlement, which served as the capital of the colony, is today the modern town...