The Beverly Historical Society operates out of the 1781 John Cabot House at 117 Cabot Street, a Federal-style mansion built by one of the town's most prominent merchant families. The two-floor museum covers Beverly's colonial history, its role in the Revolution, and the town's long maritime and industrial heritage.
The society maintains three historic properties in total. The Hale House, also managed by the organization, was the home of Reverend John Hale — the minister at Beverly's First Parish during the Salem witch trials of 1692, whose initially enthusiastic support for the prosecutions turned to bitter doubt after his own wife was accused. The Beverly Historical Society is a solid stop for anyone interested in colonial New England before or after visiting nearby Salem.