RE-versing Urban Blight at the Historic New England Center in Haverhill, MA

There’s a tag that we’ve been using at Route1Views since its origins in 2018 called “RE”. It raises a lot of eyebrows, and elicits many blank stares. People don’t get RE. Fair enough. Here’s an example that should help…

The Historic New England Center in Haverhill, MA checks most of the RE boxes: REpurpose, REuse, REnovate, REstore, REcover, REbirth, REsilience, REhabilitate, REspect, and REcycle. Historic New England, stewards of 38 historic properties in the region just might be the essence of RE.

Center Origins

For 40 years, Historic New England (HNE) has used an industrial building in Haverhill, MA to house its collection of 125,000 artifacts and 1.5 million archival documents. Since 2006, they’ve stepped up their investment by acquiring additional buildings and lots. In 2023 they began to REnovate their former shoe factory into a visitor center and exhibit space.  

Haverhill is one of many Massachusetts towns along the Merrimack River that was home to a thriving manufacturing economy that fell on hard times in the 1960’s and ’70’s. HNE hopes that their investment in the center of the Haverhill cultural district will help to REverse the decline of the city.

All About the Shoes

Of course, their first exhibit when they opened the Center in July of 2026 was titled “Shoe Stories”. During it’s heyday in the early 20th Century, the Merrimack River towns churned out the majority of shoes worn by North Americans. It was a specialty industry that operated at a scale with a specialized work force that was difficult to match.

One of the most compelling stories is that of Stuart Weitzman, who worked in the Haverhill factory at 151 Essex Street in his father’s business, Mr. Seymour Shoes. Stuart took over the business from his father in 1965, and in the 1980’s he rebranded as Stuart Weitzman Shoes, which became one of the best known women’s shoe brands in the world. I had the privilege of hearing Weitzman, now retired, describe his journey at the Historic New England Summit in 2025. His story is incredibly inspiring.

Connect and Visit

Here’s where you can register for the 2026 Summit at the HNE Center in Haverhill. The Center is about 35 miles north of Boston, adjacent to Amtrak and MBTA Commuter Rail stations. I encourage you to visit and support HNE!  

Admission is free. The Center is fully wheelchair accessible.

Hours: 

Thursday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. 

 (978) 377-7500.