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Historical Society and she volunteers for the National Archives and the Massachusetts Historical Society transcribing historical documents.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

John Hale House, Beverly, Mass. Photo by Alex Ushakoff, 1973, courtesy Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission.

John Hale House in Beverly, Massachusetts

The John Hale House is a historic Colonial-style house built for Reverend John Hale in Beverly, Massachusetts. Built in 1694, it is a two-and-a-half-story, clapboard house with a ridge roof…. Read more »

The sea wall at Dead Horse Beach, Salem, Ma. Photo by Jill Miller and Virginia H. Adams, 2023, courtesy Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission.

History of Dead Horse Beach in Salem, Massachusetts

Dead Horse Beach is a small sandy and rocky beach in Salem, Massachusetts. It is located near the mouth of the Danvers River in the Salem Willows Historic District. It… Read more »

Stephen Phillips House, Salem, Ma, in 2017. Photo courtesy of the Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Stephen Phillips House in Salem, Massachusetts

The Stephen Phillips House, also known as the Nathaniel West House, is a historic Federal-style house on Chestnut Street in Salem, Massachusetts. Built in 1821, it is a three-story clapboarded… Read more »

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 »