From its earliest incarnation making pewter ware in 1824 through its growth into silver–plated and then sterling silver goods, Reed & Barton helped develop and define manufacturing in the United States.

Until its final closing in 2015, the Taunton factory produced metal wares that mirrored the country’s changing tastes, helped build its commerce, and supplied a wide range of customers with quality metal goods.

The history of Reed & Barton is now spread through several libraries, archives, and collections. Each contains a different body of information, from business and legal records to design and marketing documents.

A 2022 Mass Humanities grant, and ongoing support from The Taunton-South Shore Foundation, allowed the OCHM to build this centralized virtual archive, linking existing information about Reed & Barton, making it known and available for research, education, and inspiration.

A project of the Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, Atlascope is a tool for exploring historic urban atlases in Massachusetts and telling stories about how places have changed over time. In 2024, members and donors of the OCHM sponsored the digitization and addition of Taunton atlases to the project.

In the aftermath of the bloody conflict that was the American Civil War, soldiers returning home were met by communities struggling to rebuild after paying the heavy costs of war. With communities struggling to support their veterans, soldiers formed their own support groups, which became so popular that they eventually wielded political power. The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was one of the most famous of these organizations, founded in 1866 and boasting over 400,000 members by the year 1890. Locally, The William H. Bartlett Post No. 3 served as the GAR post for the areas surrounding Taunton, Massachusetts.

A database of over 250 William H. Bartlett Post No. 3  members and personal war sketches was created by Anna Flynn, Bristol Community College, Intern, January – May 2017.

Explore our online archive of the OCHM Garden Project: Growing Local History. Launched in 2021, this initiative documented our efforts to grow native wildflowers, vegetables, and herbs while sharing the stories behind them. It was made possible by the generous support of Mass Humanities, with funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and affiliation with the National Endowment for the Humanities. (Discover more of the inspiring projects they support at masshumanities.org.)

Growing Local History offered a unique opportunity to explore our region’s heritage through gardening, helping us connect with our community in fresh and meaningful ways. Dive deeper into this project on the OCHM Blog here.

Explore our online collection of historic recipes, where the flavors of the past come to life through authentic dishes from different eras. Each recipe is carefully curated from historical sources, offering a glimpse into the culinary traditions of the time. Discover how food connects us to history and try your hand at recreating these timeless meals from the comfort of your own kitchen.