About the Archives & Research Center

The Archives & Research Center (ARC) is the hub of The Trustees historical, curatorial, and institutional repositories. Located in Sharon, Massachusetts, the ARC provides researchers, Trustees staff, and the general public access to thousands of historical documents, objects, images, and artifacts. The ARC is an energy-efficient, climate-controlled building that can house up to 1,500 linear feet of archival and curatorial materials.

Since opening in 2008, the ARC has offered a new way to interact with Trustees properties. Visitors can compare the original sketches of Naumkeag’s gardens with the recent plans for their restoration; look at more than a hundred years of photographs taken at Crane Beach; or read about every Annual Meeting of The Trustees—including those first gatherings that led to the creation of the organization. In the spirit of Charles Eliot, the ARC offers the opportunity for all to enjoy and learn about the history and culture of Massachusetts.

The ARC is open by appointment Monday through Friday. Please contact us with questions, to schedule a visit, learn more about our collections, or share your stories about our special places.