The Hingham Heritage Museum, 1810, 2017

34 Main Street
The Hingham Heritage Museum, 1810, 2017

The Hingham Heritage Museum has a long history in Hingham. It served as Derby Academy from 1818 to 1966 when it became the headquarters for the Hingham Historical Society. Presently, it offers the Ertman Visitor Center and Museum shop on the first floor, the Kelly Gallery, exhibition and event space on the second floor and the Society archives and the Gillis Reading Room on the third floor. On the north side of the building is a porch and patio with engraved bricks marking the Campaign for the Hingham Heritage Museum in 2017. In 1784 Madam Sarah Derby donated part of her estate to establish a co- educational school – still located in Hingham on Burditt Avenue. Derby Academy is one of the oldest schools in the United States. This building dates from 1818 and is located on the site of the original 1791 school. It is a superb example of Federal Architecture and rests high on a hill overlooking Hingham Square. The Hingham Historical Society was able to save this beautiful building from destruction in 1966 by purchasing it for their headquarters. For over 50 years the building was used seasonally for events and exhibits and to store the Society’s growing collections. In 2017, after extensive renovation and an addition of a new wing, the Hingham Heritage Museum opened. The museum provides the public, a state- of- the art, fully accessible space for the collection, preservation, and promotion of Hingham history. Each year the museum welcomes visitors from all over the world, hosts over 1000 school children for field trips, offers special tours to Senior Living Communities and presents a variety of cultural events including a lecture series, author readings, and teacher workshops.