The Ipswich Museum was originally founded in 1890 as the Ipswich Historical Society. Today, our collection reflects more than 100 years of acquisition and preservation by these early visionaries. We continue to honor the original mission of the society to preserve Ipswich’s social, cultural, and architectural history – with the goal of making these treasures more accessible, more relevant, and more connected to our day-to-day lives.
Our museum is anchored by two significant properties: the 1677 Whipple House and the 1800 Heard House, which serves as our headquarters. Both properties are filled with original architectural detail, furnishings, and artifacts that give visitors an intimate glimpse into the lives of early Ipswich residents. But beyond the physical structures and important objects that comprise our collection you will find our most valuable asset: the narrative of our town, its origin, why we grew, and what made Ipswich such an extraordinary place for immigrants, artists, and tycoons alike.
There are hundreds of stories to discover through the Ipswich Museum. We invite you to dig a little deeper, explore, question, and to come away with a better understanding of your own history.
54 South Main Street
Ipswich, MA 01938