Author Archives: Rebecca Beatrice Brooks

About Rebecca Beatrice Brooks

Rebecca Beatrice Brooks is the author and publisher of the History of Massachusetts Blog. Rebecca is a journalist and history writer who got her start in journalism working for small-town newspapers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire after she graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. in journalism. She is a member of the American Historical Association, Historic Salem Inc, the Danvers Historical Society, the Salisbury Historical Society and she volunteers for the National Archives and the Massachusetts Historical Society transcribing historical documents. Visit this site's About page to find out more about Rebecca.

Crowninshield Bentley House, Salem, Mass. Photo by A Crump, 1979, courtesy Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Crowninshield-Bentley House in Salem, Massachusetts

The Crowninshield-Bentley House is a Georgian-style house on Essex Street in Salem, Massachusetts. Built in 1727, it is a three-story wood frame house built for ship captain John Crowninshield. It… Read more »

Nathaniel Bowditch House, Salem, Mass. Photo by J. King, 1980, courtesy Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Nathaniel Bowditch House in Salem, Massachusetts

The Nathaniel Bowditch House is a historic Federal-style house on North Street in Salem, Massachusetts. Built sometime between 1759 and 1760, it is a three-story, clapboard house with a low-hipped… Read more »

Samuel McIntire: The Architect of Salem

Samuel McIntire was an American architect and craftsman from Salem, Massachusetts. He is most famous for his work in the Chestnut Street District of Salem. McIntire was born on January… Read more »

Southeast wing of the Danvers State Hospital, Danvers, Ma. Photo by Richard Trask, 1981, courtesy Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission.

The Danvers State Hospital Poison Plot

On September 26, 1934, food being prepared in the kitchen of Danvers State Hospital was poisoned, which resulted in the death of one inmate, and a dozen others were struck… Read more »

Assembly House, Salem, Ma. Photo by E.C. Welch, 1975, courtesy Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Cotting-Smith Assembly House in Salem, Massachusetts

The Cotting-Smith Assembly House is a historic clubhouse on Federal Street in Salem, Massachusetts. Built in 1782, it is a two-story Adamesque Federal-style building with a slate-covered hip roof. The… Read more »