Organizational Culture

 

At the Lawrence History Center, our organizational culture is rooted in curiosity, integrity, community, and inclusion. We are stewards of Lawrence’s past and active participants in shaping its future, working with intention to collect, preserve, share, and animate the lived experiences of a diverse and ever-evolving city. Our culture reflects a deep respect for all voices, a commitment to social justice, and an enduring belief in the transformative power of storytelling.

 

We believe history lives not just in archives and artifacts, but in people—in their journeys, their resilience, their contributions, and their dreams. Our approach to history is participatory, dynamic, and deeply relational.

 

We embody our values by:

 

  • Centering dignity in all we do, especially in how we handle the stories and materials entrusted to us.
  • Valuing every person’s history as vital to the broader narrative of Lawrence.
  • Embracing collaboration across generations, cultures, and sectors.
  • Fostering access and equity in our programs, collections, and spaces.
  • Encouraging innovation to make history more engaging and relevant in a digital, multicultural world.

 

Our Mission


To collect, preserve, share, and animate the history and heritage of Lawrence, Massachusetts and its people. 

 

Our Vision


We envision the Lawrence History Center as a vibrant hub of inspiration and empowerment—where the past informs the present, and the present shapes the future. By connecting people to our shared histories and creating spaces for dialogue, learning, and growth, we support the Lawrence community and beyond in navigating today’s challenges with insight, compassion, and pride.

 

At our core, we are committed to preserving and celebrating the dignity, history, and contributions of every person in our community. Through inclusive storytelling, digital innovation, and active community engagement, we seek to empower future generations and ensure that the rich, diverse narratives—especially those shaped by immigration—remain central to our collective identity and understanding.

 

Who We Are

Founded in 1978 as the Immigrant City Archives, the Lawrence History Center was created to ensure that the voices and experiences of Lawrence’s immigrant communities would never be forgotten. These are the stories of working people—those who built the mills, shaped the city’s identity, and defined its legacy through courage, perseverance, and solidarity.

 

Since our founding, we have:

 

  • Engaged actively with our community through exhibitions, oral histories, educational programs, and civic partnerships.
  • Preserved and protected fragile documents, photographs, and ephemera that would otherwise be lost to time.
  • Illuminated untold stories, amplifying the narratives of people and neighborhoods too often left out of the historical record.
  • Sparked curiosity and deepened understanding through public access to our growing collections and programs.

 

In 1992, we took stewardship of the Essex Company Office & Yard, a National Register-listed site in the heart of Lawrence’s North Canal Historic District. This remarkable building serves not only as our headquarters, but as a symbol of our city’s industrial past and a vibrant platform for civic engagement, learning, and memory-making.

 

 

Looking Ahead

As Lawrence continues to grow and transform, so too does our work. While our roots lie in preservation, our branches reach toward innovation and inclusion. We see our collections not as relics, but as living resources—tools to educate, challenge, connect, and inspire.

 

Our organizational culture empowers us to be bold, thoughtful, and collaborative as we explore what history means in the 21st century. We are proud to stand at the intersection of memory and possibility, carrying the stories of Lawrence into the future, one voice at a time.