The Purpose of the Shirley Historical Society is to preserve books, photos, papers, and other artifacts relating to Shirley, Massachusetts people, places, and history.  The Society works to educate the public regarding historic matters, and seeks to encourage preservation of items of historic interest.

The Lucy Longley Memorial Building which houses the Shirley Historical Society Museum was opened in the Fall of 1981.  The Library contains information on many Shirley people and places as well as references on local and general history and is open to visitors and researchers.  The main floor of the Museum is fully handicapped accessible.  The Museum is located four miles north of Route 2 in central Massachusetts.  For directions to the Museum please click here.   For a further description of our building and its history, click here.
If we can answer a quick research question by email, phone, or letter, there is no charge.
Xeroxing costs 25 cents per page.
If you would like us to do more involved local research or lengthy copying for you, the requested donation will be $20 an hour.

ePodunk.com named Shirley The Most Historic Small Town in the Nation in June of 2001. You may also go to www.ePodunk.com and do a search for Shirley, MA to see what they've got to say about us.

Shaker Tours - Guided Tours of the Shirley Shaker Village may be held by special request of groups of 8 or more.  Tours for 2010 are scheduled for Sundays August 8th, September 12th, and October 10th. These tours introduce visitors to the architecture and lifestyle of the Believers who lived in Shirley from 1793-1908.  Visitors meet at 1:00 p.m., at a restored Shaker building on the grounds of the Massachusetts Correctional Facility and have an introductory talk on the Shirley Shaker Community.  After the talk, they go through two other Shaker buildings. The cost is $15 for non-members and $10 for SHS members.  Due to limited space, reservations must be made and paid for in advance.
For a brief history of the Shirley Shaker Village and links to other Shaker sites, click here.

Society Membership - The Shirley Historical Society is incorporated as a non-profit 501(C)(3) corporation.  Membership in the Society is open to all those interested upon annual payment of dues.  To join the Historical Society and be placed on the mailing list, send $20 for individual membership, $10 for a Senior, or $35 for a family.  Contributing membership is $50 per year. 

To see our Historical Society By-Laws, click here. Note that they are currently being studied and may be revised.

Do Your Shopping for Shirley Souvenirs at the Museum
For a list of Shirley items available in the Historical Society Museum Gift Shop, click here.

Thank You 

Thank you for their help with the SHS booths at the 2010 Hoe Down - Paul Przybyla, Susan Baxter, Dot Hatch, Linda Dressler, Ruth Rhonemus. Dawn McCall, Mike Labbe. Jane Hallett, Gail Dolan

Thank you set up, clean up, and sales people for our Fall Book and Bake Sale - Paul, Meredith, Ward, John, Jackie, Don, Dorothy, Christyne, Dawn, Ruth, Betsy, Gina,  and Lee. Thanks to you and all the donors, we made over $800 for the Society.

For his help re-organizing our map collection - recent Parker School graduate - Jake Fletcher.

For their help finishing the walls and ceiling in the cellar storage area, Great Thanks go to Eagle Scout Tyler Dee and his fellow Boy Scouts.

If you would like to volunteer at the Museum. click here.

Kudos
        Judy Warner of Harvard wrote us - "I have enjoyed spending time in Shirley Center sitting on the grass sketching the buildings and setting for the past few days. What a wonderful spot --- I do a lot of drawing in the area and haven't found many places as peaceful and unspoiled.  I just wanted to tell you I've found your web site very helpful and thank you to all those people who have kept your Center such a special place."

    Watching the children in the Crazy Hat Parade, marching around the Common at the 2009 Hoe Down,  Susan Baxter said, "Why would anyone want to live any place else but in Shirley ?"

Thank you to our two Business Sponsors
The Bull Run Restaurant "Serving the Tired, Thirsty Traveler since 1740"
Open Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and supper plus a variety of entertainments.
The Guercio Family, Innkeepers, Rt. 2A, Shirley, MA 01464       http://www.bullrunrestaurant.com/
Phoenix Park "A Great Place to Grow Your Business" 
Shirley's historic mill complex with build-to-suit space that provides a location for all your office, R & D and manufacturing needs.
Two Shaker Road, Shirley, MA 01464         http://www.phoenixparkonline.com/