Historical Commission

The Historical Commission is currently in need of one more member. To volunteer, please send a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen's Office: 122 Main Street Acushnet MA 02743.

 

The Long Plain Museum located on Main Street

 

Purpose: 

Historical preservation and education

General:


Among the primary activities of the Commission are:

  • Researching historical homes and other buildings in Acushnet, and providing plaques, where appropriate. Organizing and maintaining the records of historical buildings and sites into a permanent inventory including River's End historic district. 

  • Installing markers, such as those at Howard's Neck and Peak Rock, highlighting points of historical interest such as 1903 Parting Ways sign showing the old Meeting House where the Fire Station is today.

  • Supervising the Town's principal historical treasures, the Long Plain Museum at 1203 Main Street, the Long Plain Friends Meetinghouse and Quaker Museum at 1341 Main Street and the Perry Hill Church (1851) at 39 Perry Hill Road, which is in the process of restoration so as it can be used again. These attractions are located in the far north of the Town in what was once the rural village of Long Plain.

  • The Long Plain Museum, in the former Long Plain Schoolhouse (1875), is operated under the Commission by the Acushnet Historical Society, a private, non-profit organization. The Meetinghouse (1759), is the oldest Friends (Quaker) house of worship in the SouthCoast. Both buildings are on the National Register for historic places.

  • The Long Plain Museum is a fascinating local history museum, with many interesting features: a life-size diorama depicting a blacksmith shop that was once located across the street, a 'Whaling Wall' of portraits of Acushnet whaling captains and their homes, an 1875 school room kept just as it looked over 125 years ago, a room of 19th Century fashions, and a 4-room apartment with authentic 19th century furniture and utensils.

  • The Meetinghouse, situated in a leafy 2.7 acre park, also has the help of the Historic Commission. Attractions include a small Quaker Museum, a burial ground dating to the early 18th century and a dressed stone wall encircling the entire property.

Board Members

Name Title
Lori Bates Member

Commission Members

NamePositionTerm Expires
Pauline Teixeira

Chairperson

2026

Lori Bates

2023

2024

Richard Gwozdz

2024

John Larsen

2025

Richard Mercier

2026

Nancy Viveiros

2025