Andover Center for History & Culture

Andover Center for History & Culture Preserving the Past ~ Educating for the Future ~ Connecting with Our Community

The History Center is an independent not-for-profit 501c3 organization.
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We are not a part of the Town of Andover, nor do we receive town funding.

🎉 BOOK LAUNCH PARTY & HISTORY LECTURE! 🎉Step back into Gilded Age New England with local Andover author Jane Cairns as s...
09/08/2026

🎉 BOOK LAUNCH PARTY & HISTORY LECTURE! 🎉

Step back into Gilded Age New England with local Andover author Jane Cairns as she celebrates the release of her thrilling new novel, Exalted Objects! Based on the true story of 19th-century New Hampshire's Stark family, this captivating tale dives into ambition, loyalty, and legacy during a time of massive upheaval.
Jane will share the real history behind the book—from the Phillips Academy Catalog Rebellion of 1846 to the boom of the railroads and the Civil War.

✨ What’s on tap:
• 📚 Author talk & Q&A
• 🖊️ Book signing with copies available via Andover Bookstore
• 🍺 Free beer ticket with every book purchase!
• 🍰 Appetizers & celebratory cake

Come raise a glass, grab a slice of cake, and get your signed copy of a book Annie Hartnett calls "a stunner for historical fiction fans"!

Tuesday, September 15 | 6:30 p.m.
Exalted Objects - Lecture and book signing by Andover author Jane Cairns
@ Oak & Iron, 18 Spring Grove Rd

🎟️ Reserve your spot:
Register for Jane Cairns' talk: https://conta.cc/4xm9SHK

Learn more and register for Author's Talks at the History Center: https://conta.cc/4wJTmQN

đź“– Calling all Book Clubs! đź“–Looking for your next great historical read? Join us at the History Center as Vermont author ...
09/04/2026

đź“– Calling all Book Clubs! đź“–

Looking for your next great historical read? Join us at the History Center as Vermont author Jodi Lew-Smith explores the fascinating history behind her award-winning historical novel, Asa James.

Jodi will delve into the history of New England almshouses, poorhouses, and poor farms—and the responsibility towns and counties once assumed for caring for “their own poor.” She’ll also share how this history inspired Asa James, the story of a young man raised on an 1875 Vermont poor farm who dreams of becoming the next Charles Darwin.

đź“š Read the book, then come hear the story behind the story! Bring your book-club friends and join us for an afternoon of history, literature, and conversation.

Sunday, September 13 | 1:00 p.m.
Jodi Lew-Smith, author of Asa James
“The Rise and Fall of New England Almshouses and Poor Farms”
At the Andover Center for History & Culture, 97 Main Street

🎟️ Reserve your spot:
Register for Jodi Lew-Smith's talk: https://conta.cc/45Serh0

Learn more and register for Author's Talks at the History Center: https://conta.cc/4wJTmQN

Today we're sharing the third of a series of posts on Suffrage for Women in Andover and the Nation. Follow the link belo...
09/02/2026

Today we're sharing the third of a series of posts on Suffrage for Women in Andover and the Nation. Follow the link below for part 3 on History Buzz and the "anti" side of the debate!

Anti-Suffragists believed that their “inherent rights and privileges would suffer if the duty of voting were imposed.”

You can read the whole story here!
https://conta.cc/4wq6tY5

History Buzz is free to read. Just follow the link and click on take me to the Buzz to read this and hundreds more stories.

Today we're sharing the second of a series of posts on Suffrage for Women in Andover and the Nation. Follow the link bel...
09/02/2026

Today we're sharing the second of a series of posts on Suffrage for Women in Andover and the Nation. Follow the link below for part 2 on History Buzz and read about the "pro" side of the debate!

You can read the whole story here!
https://conta.cc/45r1MBo

History Buzz is free to read. Just follow the link and click on take me to the Buzz to read this and hundreds more stories.

debate!

Today we're sharing the first of a series of posts on Suffrage for Women in Andover and the Nation. Follow the link belo...
09/02/2026

Today we're sharing the first of a series of posts on Suffrage for Women in Andover and the Nation. Follow the link below for part 1 on History Buzz!

But first, a shout out to “Andover Stories” writers Tom Adams, Gail Ralston, and Jennifer Scheer for their suffrage stories from 2010-2020, referenced throughout these posts.

You can read the whole story here!
https://conta.cc/4vTUZuE

History Buzz is free to read. Just follow the link and click on take me to the Buzz to read this and hundreds more stories.

Two Authors. Two Fascinating Stories. đź“šThis September, join the Andover Center for History & Culture for two special aut...
08/25/2026

Two Authors. Two Fascinating Stories. đź“š

This September, join the Andover Center for History & Culture for two special author talks and book signings exploring the people, places, and dramatic changes that shaped 19th-century New England.

đź“– Sunday, September 13 | 1:00 p.m.
Jodi Lew-Smith, author of Asa James
“The Rise and Fall of New England Almshouses and Poor Farms”
At the Andover Center for History & Culture, 97 Main Street

Vermont author Jodi Lew-Smith explores the history of New England almshouses, poorhouses, and poor farms—and the responsibility towns and counties once assumed for caring for “their own poor.” She’ll also discuss how this history inspired her award-winning historical novel, Asa James, the story of a young man raised on an 1875 Vermont poor farm who dreams of becoming the next Charles Darwin.

🎟️ Reserve your spot:
Register for Jodi Lew-Smith's talk: https://conta.cc/45Serh0

đź“– Tuesday, September 15 | 6:30 p.m.
Jane Cairns, author of Exalted Objects
At Oak & Iron Brewing, 18 Red Spring Road, Andover

Join Andover author Jane Cairns for a book launch party, history lecture, and signing celebrating Exalted Objects, a novel inspired by the true story of the 19th-century Stark family of New Hampshire.

Discover the real people and events behind the story, from the Phillips Academy Catalog Rebellion of 1846 to the explosive growth of railroads and industry and the upheaval of the Civil War. Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Andover Bookstore, with a special bonus: purchase a book and receive a beer ticket for the evening! Appetizers and celebratory cake will also be available.

🎟️ Reserve your spot:
Register for Jane Cairns's talk and book signing: https://conta.cc/4xm9SHK

Come for the history, stay for the stories—and perhaps leave with a new book to add to your collection! 📚✨

Learn more and register for both Author's Talks: https://conta.cc/4wJTmQN

Join us Thursday, September 17th at 6:00 pm, for Paul Revere Makes a Buck: The Mass Appeal of His Currency. Dr. Donald ...
08/21/2026

Join us Thursday, September 17th at 6:00 pm, for Paul Revere Makes a Buck: The Mass Appeal of His Currency. Dr. Donald A. Slater will explore how Paul Revere used the familiar imagery of the pine tree to help build public trust in Massachusetts paper money during the Revolutionary War.

Pay with today’s currency to discover the story behind colonial currency and take a closer look at the items featured in our current exhibit of Dr. Slater’s Revolutionary War-era collection.

Learn more and register here: https://conta.cc/46fA7Uo

Back by popular demand with a new tour route and Rev 250 stories!Explore the stories, people, and places that shaped old...
08/19/2026

Back by popular demand with a new tour route and Rev 250 stories!

Explore the stories, people, and places that shaped old Andover and discover new Revolutionary 250 connections along the way. The tour includes a special visit inside the 1695 Bridges House in North Andover, offering a memorable glimpse into the history and shared heritage of our communities

Sunday, September 27
Register here
11:00 am - https://conta.cc/3Si7oeo
1:30 pm - https://conta.cc/4c1Loeu

Co-hosted by the Andover Center for History and Culture and the North Andover Historical Society.

Tour starts at the North Andover Historical Society and winds its way through both towns.

Today on REV250, author Christopher Klein tells the story of the Salem Poor - From Bo***ge to Bunker Hill Glory.Chris is...
08/19/2026

Today on REV250, author Christopher Klein tells the story of the Salem Poor - From Bo***ge to Bunker Hill Glory.

Chris is a guest contributor from the Andover Celebrates America 250 Committee.

You can read the whole story on History Buzz. Follow the link below.
https://conta.cc/4xOkq30

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Andover, MA
01810

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Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

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