Methuen is located in the Merrimack Valley in northeastern Massachusetts. Thirty miles north of Boston, Methuen grew out of the Spicket Falls community during the 1800s as the Industrial Revolution arrived in this agricultural community. During this century, the town's wealthiest families, the Searles, the Tenneys, and the Nevins, brought both economic and cultural growth by building numerous mills, churches, schools, and museums in the area. The citizens, immigrants, and Yankees alike formed the backbone and built the character of Methuen that can still be seen today. Methuen brings together many never-before-seen photographs dating from the earliest days of photography to the 1960s. The history of the town is the story of its people, from the farmers and mill workers to the millionaires and their descendants. Their stories are intertwined with the images of the changing landscape of Methuen, including landmarks, storefronts, schools, and houses of worship. Some can still be seen today, while others exist only in memories.