Our Building
In July 1796, a wooden schoolhouse called Bristol Academy opened its doors in Taunton. Simeon Doggett was hired as the first principal, and he oversaw a student body of about 100 young men and women studying reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic, higher mathematics, composition, grammar, history, geography, criticism, philosophy, logic, and ethics. Boys took a course in public speaking and girls learned needlework, while the social graces and dancing were offered after hours at an extra expense.
After half a century of growth, the Bristol Academy needed more space. A group of civic leaders was appointed to commission a new building. The result was the brick building now at 66 Church Green in Taunton, Massachusetts.
Designed by the preeminent architect of the era, Richard Upjohn, this building is Upjohn’s only known brick schoolhouse. Bristol Academy educated many of Taunton’s leaders including three of the city’s first ten mayors. However, due to competition from public schools, enrollment declined and in 1926 Bristol Academy closed permanently.
When the Bristol Academy closed in 1926, the building was purchased by the Old Colony Historical Society, which had met in private residences, temporary halls, and the Cedar Street Chapel since its founding in 1853. Today, the building is a gem of our collection and is recognized as part of the Church Green National Historic District.
As you tour the museum, you will encounter some important remnants of the Bristol Academy. When you find it, be sure to give the old Bristol Academy lunch bell a hearty ring!
Our Museum
Today, the Old Colony History Museum brings the rich history of the Old Colony region to life. Open Tuesday through Saturday, we offer engaging exhibits, hands-on activities, and special programs that explore local history from the past to the present. Whether you’re a lifelong history buff or just discovering the stories of our area, our museum provides an affordable and welcoming experience for all ages. Plan your visit today and uncover the history that shaped our community!
The discovery of iron ore deposits in 1652 marked the beginning of industry in Taunton. With its central location in the region and easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, Taunton became a manufacturing center, producing silver, stoves, locomotives, textiles, nails, tacks, jewelry, pottery, stoneware, and bricks, and shipping these goods all over the world.
The history of the Old Colony has always been tied to transportation from it’s earliest days as a shipbuilding hub to the trains built right here in Taunton that helped Americans expand to the west. In more recent times, the development of highways and airports have continued to shape and impact the region,
How one chooses to convey oneself to the world is a lens through which an observer can view the commercial, social, and cultural trends of an era. The OCHM is home to an extensive fashion collection which rotates to share glimpses into the many eras of fashion in our history.
Selected from the museum’s remarkable portrait collection, the first-floor display of 29 portraits and paintings celebrate the blend of artists and subjects that make up the unique character of our region. Use our gallery tablet to learn more about the presidents, people, and places who greet you when you begin your visit to the OCHM.
Plymouth Colony, today known as the Old Colony, ended when it was annexed to Massachusetts Bay in 1691, 71 years after the Mayflower arrived in Plymouth. In this section we trace the earliest days of settlement, the conflict that arose between the settlers and the local Wampanoag tribes of our region, and study the objects that date back to the earliest days of Massachusetts as we know it today.
The Old Colony has always been home to people seeking a better way of life. From the first English settlers of the region, to those who continue to settle today, new arrivals have uniquely shaped Southeastern Massachusetts. To look around Taunton is to see the influence of thousands of Irish, Italian, Portuguese, Azorean, Cape Verdean, Hispanic, Polish, French, and many, many more that make this region home.
The men and women of the Old Colony have been involved in every major conflict since the founding of the nation. This exhibit is currently being renovated to share a more complete and updated story of our “Hometown Heroes.”
It can be hard to imagine what life was like in the past for everyday people. In our Society Room we try to do just that! The space is divided into three sections (even down to the color of the floor!) each offering a glimpse of everyday life of those who lived in our region at three distinct moments in time: the 1750s, 1850s, and 1950s.
Our temporary exhibition space is located on the first floor. We rotate this space regularly, but to see what’s on view now click the image!
Daily, at noon, we offer a guided highlight tour of our recently renovated exhibits and first-floor gallery. This specialized tour is free with regular admission and offered every day we are open. Stop by on your lunch break or with the kids, and enjoy an in-depth look at some of the relics of Taunton’s storied past.