Mapping Marblehead - Exhibit Booklets and Maps
The Mapping Marblehead exhibits tell the story of Marblehead's history. The first two exhibit booklets are now available as downloadable PDF documents. The third exhibit is planned for the summer of 2022. Use these links to download the booklets from the first two exhibits:
Mapping Marblehead from Founding to Freedom exhibit booklet (12 MB PDF file)
Mapping Marblehead the 19th Century exhibit booklet (7 MB PDF file)
Historical maps of Marblehead that have been featured in the Mapping Marblehead exhibits are listed on the "Mapping Marblehead Exhibit - Explore Online" page. For a current map of Marblehead with property lines, see the the Marblehead GIS website.
The Inclusive History Project: Black Heritage in Marblehead
The Marblehead Racial Justice Team (MRJT) has published a series of videos about the contributions of people of color throughout Marblehead’s history as a part of the Inclusive History Project: Joseph & Lucretia Brown, The Underground Railroad in Marblehead, James Fountaine The MRJT YouTube channel has these and other videos.
History and Traditions of Marblehead – Samuel Roads, Jr.
One of the earliest books of Marblehead’s history is History and Traditions of Marblehead, by Samuel Roads, Jr. First published in 1879, there are multiple editions. It is now freely available for downloading in various electronic book formats at https://archive.org/details/historytradition00road
Marblehead - The Spirit of '76 Lives Here - Priscilla Lord and Virginia Gamage
A very readable history of Marblehead and description of its neighborhoods and their history, published in 1972. Unfortunately, out of print, but available in many libraries and on-line for purchase at sites such as Amazon
Marblehead Messenger and Reporter Newspapers - search site established by Abbot Public Library
Search Marblehead Messengers from 1871 until 1976; Marblehead Reporters from 1966 to 1976. For newspapers after 1976, Marblehead Reporters must be searched at Abbot Public Library. Search at: marbleheadpl.advantage-preservation.com
Massachusetts Historical Commission
The Massachusetts Historical Commission, established in 1963, is an agency of the Massachusetts state government that helps preserve historical and archaeological assets in Massachusetts. The Commission’s staff of historians, architects, archaeologists, geographers, and preservation planners administers the state’s preservation programs through its Preservation Planning, Grants, and Technical Services Divisions. The Commission also maintains the MACRIS database, an invaluable resource for historians and planners (see below). Marblehead works closely with the Massachusetts Historical Commission on preservation efforts within the Town. For more information on the Massachusetts Historical Commission, see: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm
MACRIS Database
The Massachusetts Historical Commission maintains a database of historical buildings, structures, and areas in the Commonwealth. This database, the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) allows you to search for information on historic properties and areas in the Commonwealth. It can be accessed via the internet at http://mhc-macris.net
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources. For more information, see: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister
Naval History and Heritage Command
The Naval History and Heritage Command maintains archives and museums devoted to the naval history of the United States. The online archives contain a wealth of information about the naval history of Marblehead. For more information, see: https://www.history.navy.mil
Old Burial Hill
Web site with information and grave listings: http://www.oldburialhill.org/
Old Burial Cemetery Archives: https://www.marblehead.org/old-burial-hill-committee/pages/old-burial-hill-headstones
Marblehead Vital Records
Vol. 1 – Births to the Year 1849: https://archive.org/details/vitalrecordsofma01marb
Vol. 2 – Marriages and Deaths to the Year 1849: https://archive.org/details/vitalrecordsofma02marb
Glover’s Regiment
http://www.gloversregiment.org/
Salem Registry of Deeds
Land records from the 1600’s to the present day: http://salemdeeds.com/salemdeeds/Default2.aspx
Marblehead in the Year 1700 by Sidney Perley
Link to the Marblehead Museum transcription of the Essex Institute published work by Sidney Perley describing land titles as they existed in 1700: Marblehead in the Year 1700 This is a searchable PDF, but it does not include scans of the maps. For links to the maps, see the "Mapping Marblehead Exhibit - Explore Online" page.
Marblehead's Gas Stations
Since the invention of the gasoline-powered automobile, Marblehead has had 21 gas stations that served the car-driving public. Today it has none. Learn more...
