With a tradition of excellence in education and historical research the Fitchburg Historical Society connects the city's citizens to its industrial, commercial and cultural history. Fitchburg has an illustrious history that includes some of America's first textile mills, the nation's second-oldest newspaper and important inventions that shaped the Industrial Revolution in America. The Historical Society connects today's residents with this community legacy with a library, exhibitions and free programs in its downtown headquarters. The Fitchburg Historical Society is an independent, non-profit organization that functions as both a museum and an educational resource. Since December of 2012, the Society has operated from its new location on 781 Main Street.The new location, the Phoenix Building, is a historic building designed by Fitchburg architect H.M. The first floor, or basement, is an archive containing biography files, photographic files, manuscripts and other documents available for research. The second floor, at street level, is currently the primary exhibit hall, accessible from Main Street. Named for the Wallace family, this exhibit hall is home to display cases of Fitchburg memorabilia and changing exhibits. It also serves as the venue for public functions held at the society, many of which are free to attend. The third floor is the library and main office of the Society. Here, one can find directories of Fitchburg and surrounding towns, a local history section, and archival boxes. Besides being a free community resource, the society is also a great place to volunteer.
