Collections Overview

Embroidered panel of a rural scene with a reclining shepherdess, a spotted dog and crook, woolly sheep, nestling lambs, a leaping deer, a small pond with ducks and three varieties of trees. Other small animals include black birds and a pheasant-like animal. Depicted on the horizon is a two-story, two-chimney house with flanking single-story pavilions.
Embroidered pictured worked by Esther Stoddard, circa 1750-1760 (ID 71.120)

Explore Historic Northampton’s Collections

Historic Northampton collects and preserves objects and records relating to the history of Northampton. Since the late 1800s, Historic Northampton has gathered a collection of over 40,000 objects including products and tools of industry, home furnishings, fine art, ceramics, toys, and an important collection of historic clothing and textiles.

The museum also has a local history archive dating from the 17th to 21st centuries, including manuscripts, documents, oral histories, photographic materials, books, journals, ephemera, maps, and digital media.

The museum shares responsibility for stewardship of local history with Forbes Library and other local repositories. 

 A growing percentage of these collections are searchable in Historic Northampton’s online catalog.

Search the Catalog
Browse Highlights from the Collection

Contact us for assistance with searching the catalog, or click “Submit Request” on any search page. 

Handwritten letter begins with "My Dear Husband"
Letter from Mary, Sarah, Ebenezer & Almira Stetson, Brooklyn, Connecticut to their father and husband, James A. Stetson, Boston, Massachusetts, January 13, 1843. Historic Northampton (ID 2000.1.8)

Archives and Manuscripts

Historic Northampton’s archival collections include individual manuscripts and documents from the 17th through the 20th century, plus larger collections of papers and records of individuals, families, organizations and local businesses. In addition there are scrapbooks, bound newspaper journals, and ephemera.

More information

photograph of an old iron trap with sharp teeth and chain attached
Bear trap made by Seth Pomeroy, circa 1735-1755. Photograph by Brie Thomson. Historic Northampton (ID 71.463)

Objects

Historic Northampton’s collections include historic objects such as tools (medical, textile, cooking, farming, animal husbandry, carpentry, etc.), weapons, fire equipment, toys, models, trade signs, transportation artifacts, and an excellent collection of Connecticut River Valley Native American baskets. Many local business signs are on display in Shepherd Barn at Historic Northampton.

See Collection Highlights for more examples.

cotton dress with a pattern of pink roses within a gridded design featuring gothic medallion motifs. The sleeves are pleated at the shoulder with the fullness controlled around the upper arm with narrow bands of self fabric. The waistline is a shallow V, The neckline is wide and round. The bodice is gathered across the center of the bustline to the shoulders. The skirt is pleated all around the waist.
Dress worn by Mary Todd Washburn (1822–1902) dress, at the age of 18 while a student at the Gothic Seminary. Historic Northampton (ID 66.25)

Clothing and Textiles

Historic Northampton’s largest and best known collection numbers approximately 12,000 items and spans the 17th century to the present.

The strength of the collection lies in that much of it has documented local history. The collection is recognized nationwide by costume historians for its excellence in 19th-century women’s clothing. Also included are men’s and children’s garments, uniforms, hats, footwear, accessories, and trims. Textiles include quilts, rugs, linens, bedspreads, blankets, and decorative needlework.

In 2026 Historic Northampton completed a three year inventory of clothing and textiles, in which the majority of objects were photographed, cataloged, and rehoused.

View the Clothing Collection in the catalog.

Woodenchest with ornate carvings on front and Sarah Strong carved along top edge
Chest believed to have been given to Sarah Strong before her marriage to Thomas Stebbins in 1701. Historic Northampton (ID 72.666). More information.

Furniture

Historic Northampton’s furniture collection numbers approximately 300 pieces. Dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, the furniture collection consists of locally made and used chairs and sofas, beds, case pieces, standing and hanging shelves, trunks, tables, and tall case clocks.

A vintage, multicolored map of Northampton, MA showing wards.
Northampton Ward map, 1884. From Atlas of Northampton City, Massachusetts, 1884. George H. Walker & Company. Historic Northampton (ID 2022.17.1)

Maps and Atlases

Browse a selection of digitized maps and atlases from the collection.

See the catalog for more maps and atlases.

women holding a banner while walking on Main Street, Northampton City Hall in background
De Colores members at Northampton Pride march, circa 1990s. Photograph by Marcel Walters. Historic Northampton (ID 2022.30.12)

Oral Histories

Historic Northampton holds a number of oral history interviews. A large portion of the interviews were conducted during the 1970s- early 1990s with older Northampton residents who discuss their childhoods, events, school, and their work in local industries from the late 19th century to the present.

Recent oral histories received include interviews with members of De Colores: lesbians of color in Northampton.

All oral history recordings and transcripts have been digitized and are available upon request. All interviews have been cataloged.

Read more about Historic Northampton’s oral history collection.

Search or browse oral histories in our online catalog.

black and white photograph of a family in front of a clapboard house with a front porch and garden. A woman is seated in the foreground with a baby on her lap, a young boy stands on one side of her, and an older woman stands on her other side. A terrier dog stands on the walkway
35 Vernon Street, Northampton, Mass. Photographic print made from glass plate negative photographed by the Howes Brothers of Ashfield, Massachusetts, circa 1886-1902. Historic Northampton (ID 1976.45.16)

Photographs

The Photograph Collection holds hundreds of photographs filed by topic, family names, businesses, streets, organizations, events, etc. For a complete list of topics, view the Photographs Collection list.

In addition to the above , there are photographs within the papers and records of individuals, organizations and businesses; and special collections of photographs by individual photographers.

In addition, Historic Northampton has photograph albums of individuals and families. A few of these have been digitized and can be viewed in the online catalog.

See Collection Highlights in the catalog for more examples from our photograph collection.

Research Assistance

Please feel free to contact us to:

  • Schedule a research appointment
  • Ask a question about our collections
  • Request photocopies or scans of materials
  • Request assistance with searching the online catalog

In-person research is by appointment only, Wednesday-Saturday 11 am to 4 pm. The museum exhibit gallery and store are open to the public
Wednesday – Sunday 11 am to 4pm.

Hours and Directions