Cohasset Historical Society

The Cohasset Historical Society has collected, preserved, exhibited and taught the public about Cohasset’s history since 1928. It runs four museums in Cohasset village and Beechwood, presents programs on the town’s heritage and maintains extensive archives where people can research the history of their family or property. Its collection ranges from fire uniforms and helmets to a weathervane from the Beechwood Fire Station.

One of its sites, the Beechwood Meetinghouse and Museum, occupies the former 1867 Beechwood Congregational Church, founded by Clarissa Harris and twelve neighbors, whose community no longer had to travel up to six miles each way to church in the town center. The ground floor covers the history of Cohasset’s fire and police departments and Beechwood’s 19th-century farming community, including two antique handtub pumpers, the 1848 Independence 2 and the 1856 Konohassett. Upstairs, the meeting room still has its original church pews.

What to Know

• The Meetinghouse is open for scheduled tours and is available for lectures, weddings, concerts and small functions.
• Memberships, donations and volunteering support the Society’s programs.
• Society merchandise is available for purchase.
• For larger events, the Society points people to Cohasset Lightkeepers.