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Community History Archives

Community History Archive Partner

Beverly Public Library

Beverly, Massachusetts

Explore this community history collection to discover the people, places, organizations, and events of Beverly.

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3Titles

Explore publications and collections from the past.

1851 to 1938Dates represented

See individual titles for available dates.

203,584Archive pages

Historical pages reported for this collection.

Explore local history

Discover the people, places, and stories of Beverly, Massachusetts.

Get to know Beverly, Massachusetts in earlier years through the newspapers shared in the Beverly Public Library's digital archive. Its three titles include material from 1851 to 1938.

You can open the archive using the link below.
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  • Selected titles

    Beverly Public Library shares titles including “Beverly Citizen” and “Saturday Morning Citizen”.

  • Free and open access

    No subscription or payment required.

  • A closer look

    A familiar name or event takes on another dimension in the newspaper coverage of its time, alongside the stories that mattered to the readers of that issue.

Historical newspapers can connect a family name with the events and everyday concerns of an earlier time, offering more than a date or a name on its own. Bring a family connection, a question about a familiar place or an interest in local history, and see where the sources lead. Explore the archive online for free, without a subscription.

Explore the collection

Titles in this collection

Browse three titles and 203,584 digitized pages, with material from 1851 to 1938. A partnership between Beverly Public Library and Advantage Archives makes this collection available. Some years or items may be missing between the dates shown.

A familiar name or place can be the beginning of a story. Explore the titles below to see where that connection leads.

Beverly Citizen

18,262 pages from 1851 to 1901

Beverly Evening Times

178,098 pages from 1893 to 1938

Saturday Morning Citizen

7,224 pages from 1901 to 1918

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About the Library

About The Beverly Public Library

The Beverly Public Library was established in 1855, three years after the Massachusetts Legislature became the first in the nation to authorize cities and towns to expend tax funds to support free public libraries. The library was the successor to the Social Library, a private subscription library which traced its founding to a collection of books seized by Beverly privateers from a British merchantman during the Revolutionary War. Elizabeth P. Sohier, a trustee of the Beverly Public Library, led the fight to establish the first state library agency in the country, and served as the State Library Commission’s first secretary. Initially operating from rooms in City Hall, the library moved to its current building on Essex Street in 1913. Designed by architect Cass Gilbert in the Beaux Arts style, the building was renovated and enlarged in 1993.

Beverly Public Library photo 1

Library History

The History Of The Beverly Public Library

The Beverly Public Library has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1855. Following the Massachusetts Legislature’s authorization of tax-supported public libraries, the Beverly Public Library succeeded the Social Library, a private subscription library with origins in the Revolutionary War. The library initially operated from City Hall before moving to its current location on Essex Street in 1913. The building, designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, reflects the Beaux Arts style and has been a significant landmark in Beverly. A major renovation and expansion in 1993 ensured the library could continue to meet the community's needs. The library's commitment to providing access to information, education, and cultural enrichment has made it a cornerstone of the Beverly community.

About the Community

About The Beverly Area

Beverly, located in Essex County, Massachusetts, is a coastal city with a rich historical heritage and a vibrant community. Established in 1626, Beverly has a long history as a significant center for maritime activities, industry, and education. The city is known for its beautiful coastline, historic landmarks, and thriving cultural scene. Beverly offers a variety of recreational and cultural opportunities, including parks, museums, theaters, and community events. The city's commitment to preserving its heritage is evident in its well-maintained public buildings and active historical societies.

Local History

Did You Know?

Did you know that the Beverly Public Library building was designed by Cass Gilbert, the architect behind the United States Supreme Court and the Woolworth Building in New York City? The library's Beaux Arts style and historical significance make it a treasured landmark in the Beverly community.

More ways to explore and share local history

Research Guidance

Follow a story beyond the first mention

Start with something you would like to understand about the past of Beverly. It might be a person, a neighborhood or an event remembered in your family. Use the digital archive shared by the Beverly Public Library to follow that question into the historical record. When using historical newspapers, try alternate spellings and nearby dates, then read the surrounding page to place a local story in its time. Compare later reporting or another available title to explore different perspectives rather than treating one account as the whole story.

When a promising newspaper lead runs out, check the dates and titles represented before trying another name, place, or nearby issue. Keep unsuccessful searches with useful findings; gaps in coverage can limit what a search reveals. Use the dates and references to shape your next question, not as proof a missing result never existed.

As you piece together a story from the past, note where each detail came from and why it matters. Include the title, date, and page or item reference. Mark uncertain identifications and unanswered questions so a promising connection does not become an unsupported fact.

Review collection titles

Community Partnership

Keeping local history a community resource

This community archive is made possible by the collaboration of the Beverly Public Library, its community, and Advantage Archives. Together, these partnerships preserve local sources and give people a way to explore, learn from, and share the history around them.

Advantage Archives covers ongoing archive hosting, storage, development, and maintenance. The institution and its community do not pay a subscription, seat license, annual support contract, or other recurring archive-service charge. Local history remains a community resource, not a subscription to maintain.

Would you like to see more of your community's history preserved and accessible? Start a conversation with your library, newspaper publisher, historical or genealogical society, museum, or school about the materials they would like to share and a possible partnership with Advantage Archives.

Learn about partnerships
Read All About It

Stories, research tips, and archive news

Read All About It connects archive research with the people and institutions preserving local history. Explore partner and community stories, project updates, research ideas, and perspectives on digitization, education, and working with primary sources. Use the articles as a starting point for your next question or a new way to share a discovery.

Newest published articles

March 18, 2025

It’s Your Community’s History, So Why Rent Something You Own?

We believe that history belongs to the communities where it was made - not locked behind paywalls or inaccessible due to budget restrictions. Subscription-based services and large content aggregators are generally more concerned with "content" and less concerned with the history that content contains. Their models typically involve a reoccurring charge for a plan that renews annually or licensing agreements with the library based on population served or circulation numbers. You are essentially Renting Access To YOUR History.
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