Join Historic Beverly for a special Coffee & Conversation program exploring the fascinating world of house histories, research, and the stories we tell about our homes. House Histories: Fact or Fiction? takes a closer look at how historians uncover the real history behind historic houses and the myths, assumptions, and family legends that often grow around them over time.

From “George Washington slept here” stories to assumptions based on architectural style alone, this engaging program will explore how Historic Beverly researches properties using deeds, maps, census records, photographs, and archival collections to separate fact from fiction. Guests will gain insight into the detective work involved in tracing the history of a home and learn what information is truly needed to document a property’s past.

The conversation will also highlight Historic Beverly’s new 40 in 400 initiative, launched in celebration of Beverly’s 400th anniversary. This citywide effort aims to install 40 historic house plaques on historically significant properties across Beverly, helping residents share and preserve the stories connected to their homes.

Interested in learning whether your house is part of Beverly’s story? Curious about what qualifies a home for a historic plaque? This program will demystify the process while offering practical guidance for researching your own property and understanding the history hidden in neighborhoods across the city.

Enjoy coffee, conversation, and a deeper appreciation for the stories behind Beverly’s historic homes and perhaps discover whether your house could become one of the 40 in 400.

Coffee generously provided by https://www.beantrustcoffee.com/