Welcome to the new version of the Marblehead Historical Commission web site. Improving the look and usability of the site was important, but the key reason for change was to make it easier to search the archives. As the stewards for an amazing archive of historical artifacts, images, and documents for the Town of Marblehead, we serve a range of researchers from the professional to the merely curious, but searching the archive was just too difficult. Not anymore!
New software now makes it possible for the entire archive to be searched either from Google or from our Search page. From the latter, you can search with just a word or two, or you can narrow your search by adding search criteria and categories. Give the new search a try and let us know how you like it.
Another reason for updating the site is the increased use of smart phones and tablets to access the site. More people are browsing and searching for information from their handheld devices with smaller screens, so the old designs for web sites just didn’t work as well. Our updated site is designed to accommodate screens of all sizes and to show the information in a layout that is appropriate to your screen.
For those who want to stay current with upcoming events related to our Town’s history, we have also introduced a calendar that will show not only upcoming events for the Historical Commission, but also events to be held by other organizations that are likely to be of interest. For those who like to look back, our calendar also contains highlighted dates from Marblehead’s history so you can learn Marblehead’s fascinating stories day-by-day throughout the year.
Finally, we’ve tried to provide lots more information for both residents and visitors who want to see and experience Marblehead’s rich history. For historic structures and places and for Marblehead’s numerous museums, there are now maps to guide you there, pictures to show you what you’ll find, and descriptions to help you understand the historical importance.
While the renovation of the site was a large project, we plan to continue make incremental enhancements in the future. As you use the new site, please provide your feedback so we can add the right information in a way that you find usable, fun, and informative. Send us comments at mailto:historic@marblehead.org
