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Historical Society and she volunteers for the National Archives and the Massachusetts Historical Society transcribing historical documents.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.

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 »

Andrew Safford House, Salem, Ma, circa 1967

Andrew Safford House in Salem, Massachusetts

The Andrew-Safford House is a historic Federal-style house in Washington Square in Salem, Massachusetts. Built in 1818 for local fur merchant John Andrew, the house is a three-story brick house… Read more »

Custom House, 178 Derby Street, Salem, MA

Custom House in Salem, Massachusetts

The Custom House is a historic Federal-style building on Derby Street in Salem, Massachusetts. It was a municipal building used to house the U.S. Customs offices, which collected taxes on… Read more »

West India Goods Store, Derby Street & Palfrey Court, Salem, Ma. Photo by the Historic American Buildings Survey.

West India Goods Store in Salem, Massachusetts

The West India Goods Store is a historic commercial building on Derby Street in Salem, Massachusetts. Built around 1800 by Captain Henry Prince, the building is a two-story wood frame… Read more »