Duxbury Rural and Historical Society
Encyclopedia
The Duxbury Rural and Historical Society (DRHS) is a non-profit organization in Duxbury, Massachusetts founded in 1883. Its mission is to "preserve and promote the heritage and rural character of the town of Duxbury and its environs." The DRHS owns several historic buildings, operates a library and archive
s, and maintains approximately 140 acres of conservation
land in Duxbury.
. However, with the advent of rail transport
, clipper ships
and steamships
, Duxbury shipyards soon became obsolete. Most local shipyards closed or relocated during the 1840s and 1850s. This resulted in a decline of population and the economic condition of the town.
The original mission of the organization was to "improve and ornament the town." Early projects included installing street lamps, planting trees, building fences and erecting road signs. The DRHS soon acquired conservation land in an effort to preserve the "rural character" of the town. In the first decades of the 20th century, the group began to collect and exhibit artifacts relating to Duxbury's history. As activities of the organization increasingly came to encompass the preservation
of Duxbury’s heritage, its name was changed in 1936 to the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society.
, a historic building built in 1807. The King Caesar House
, built in 1809, is operated as a museum in the summer months and features rotating exhibits. The 1808 Capt. Gershom Bradford House
is also operated as a museum in the summer months. The organization's newest facility, the Drew Archival Library, contains the Society's collection of historic documents and photographs, is located in the 1909 Wright Memorial Library
and is open to researchers year-round. All four of these buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
Archive
An archive is a collection of historical records, or the physical place they are located. Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated over the course of an individual or organization's lifetime, and are kept to show the function of an organization...
s, and maintains approximately 140 acres of conservation
Conservation movement
The conservation movement, also known as nature conservation, is a political, environmental and a social movement that seeks to protect natural resources including animal, fungus and plant species as well as their habitat for the future....
land in Duxbury.
History
The DRHS, originally known as the Duxbury Rural Society, was founded on November 14, 1883 by a group of individuals concerned about the deteriorating condition of their community. During the early 19th century, Duxbury had been a prosperous center of wooden shipbuildingShipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
. However, with the advent of rail transport
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
, clipper ships
Clipper
A clipper was a very fast sailing ship of the 19th century that had three or more masts and a square rig. They were generally narrow for their length, could carry limited bulk freight, small by later 19th century standards, and had a large total sail area...
and steamships
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
, Duxbury shipyards soon became obsolete. Most local shipyards closed or relocated during the 1840s and 1850s. This resulted in a decline of population and the economic condition of the town.
The original mission of the organization was to "improve and ornament the town." Early projects included installing street lamps, planting trees, building fences and erecting road signs. The DRHS soon acquired conservation land in an effort to preserve the "rural character" of the town. In the first decades of the 20th century, the group began to collect and exhibit artifacts relating to Duxbury's history. As activities of the organization increasingly came to encompass the preservation
Historic preservation
Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...
of Duxbury’s heritage, its name was changed in 1936 to the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society.
Facilities
The DRHS currently maintains several facilities in Duxbury. The headquarters and main office, open year-round, is located in the Nathaniel Winsor, Jr. HouseNathaniel Winsor, Jr. House
The Nathaniel Winsor, Jr. House is a historic house located at 479 Washington Street Duxbury, Massachusetts. It currently serves as the headquarters of the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society....
, a historic building built in 1807. The King Caesar House
King Caesar House
The King Caesar House is an historic house located at 120 King Caesar Road, Duxbury, Massachusetts. It is operated as a non-profit museum by the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society....
, built in 1809, is operated as a museum in the summer months and features rotating exhibits. The 1808 Capt. Gershom Bradford House
Capt. Gershom Bradford House
Capt. Gershom Bradford House is an historic house in Duxbury, Massachusetts.The house was built in 1807 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978...
is also operated as a museum in the summer months. The organization's newest facility, the Drew Archival Library, contains the Society's collection of historic documents and photographs, is located in the 1909 Wright Memorial Library
Wright Memorial Library
Wright Memorial Library, more commonly known as the "Wright Building," is an historic library at 147 St. George Street in Duxbury, Massachusetts.-Historic significance:...
and is open to researchers year-round. All four of these buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.