Old Colony History Museum

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Old Colony History Museum
Old Colony History Museum Taunton Massachusetts.jpg
Old Colony History Museum, building originally known as Bristol Academy
Location Taunton, Massachusetts
Coordinates 41°54′4″N71°5′13″W / 41.90111°N 71.08694°W / 41.90111; -71.08694
Built1852
Architect Richard Upjohn
Architectural style Italianate
Part of Church Green (ID77000168)
Added to NRHPDecember 16, 1977

The Old Colony History Museum (OCHM) is located at 66 Church Green in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. Since 1926, the museum 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 museum was previously located in the former Union Mission Chapel on Cedar Street.

Contents

Collections

The Old Colony History Museum is home to an extensive collection of regional objects and archives and a research library specializing in local history and genealogy. Its parent organization, the Old Colony Historical Society, was founded on May 4, 1853, making it one of New England's oldest historical societies.

The organization maintains a research library specializing in the genealogy of Southeastern Massachusetts and local history, a museum of objects associated with the history of the Taunton area, and educational programs that are open to the public.

The museum maintains an online archive of materials relating to Taunton manufacturer Reed & Barton. [1]

Events

Each autumn, the Museum holds a Liberty and Union Festival to commemorate the events of October 1774, and to celebrate the Taunton Flag. [2] [3] The 250th anniversary of the flag raising was observed in October 2024. [4]

2024's Liberty & Union Day commemorated the 250th anniversary of the Taunton Flag Liberty & Union Day at the Old Colony History Museum.jpg
2024's Liberty & Union Day commemorated the 250th anniversary of the Taunton Flag

See also

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References

  1. "Reed & Barton Virtual Archive". Reed & Barton Virtual Archive. Old Colony History Museum. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  2. "Liberty and Union Weekend" . Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  3. Before Old Glory, There Was the Taunton Flag (October 21, 2015). "Before Old Glory, There Was the Taunton Flag". New England Historical Society. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  4. "Liberty & Union Day - 250th Anniversary". Visit Massachusetts. Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. Retrieved October 26, 2024.