A House Built of Words, Work, and Women’s Voices
Carter Heritage House is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the historic 1854 home of Eliza Carter, a poet, educator, and early advocate for women’s education. Restored in 1968 by the Maplewood Historical Society, the house is open to the public for visits, school field trips, and community events that celebrate local history and the enduring impact of women’s voices in American literary and educational life.
Eliza Carter House & Museum is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the historic 1854 home of Eliza Carter, a poet, educator, and early advocate for women’s education. Restored in 1968 by the Maplewood Historical Society, the house is open to the public for visits, school field trips, and community events that celebrate local history and the enduring impact of women’s voices in American literary and educational life.
Eliza Carter
Eliza Carter
Eliza Carter (1821–1873) was a poet, essayist, and passionate advocate for women’s education. After moving to Maplewood, she taught at the local academy and mentored generations of young women, encouraging them to pursue learning and creative expression.
Eliza Carter (1821–1873) was a poet, essayist, and passionate advocate for women’s education. After moving to Maplewood, she taught at the local academy and mentored generations of young women, encouraging them to pursue learning and creative expression.
Her poetry, collected in Whispers in the Willow (1858) and Evening Reflections (1865), explored nature, society, and the pursuit of knowledge, earning her recognition in regional literary journals. She corresponded with other writers and educators, including the reformer Clara Winthrop and poet Samuel Alden, helping shape a small but influential circle of thinkers devoted to women’s advancement.
Her poetry, collected in Whispers in the Willow (1858) and Evening Reflections (1865), explored nature, society, and the pursuit of knowledge, earning her recognition in regional literary journals. She corresponded with other writers and educators, including the reformer Clara Winthrop and poet Samuel Alden, helping shape a small but influential circle of thinkers devoted to women’s advancement.
Carter’s legacy extended beyond writing. She founded Maplewood’s first women’s reading circle, hosted public lectures in her parlor, and established a scholarship fund for aspiring female teachers in the area. The house itself, now preserved as the Eliza Carter House & Museum, was a center of ideas and mentorship. Visitors today can walk through the rooms where she wrote, taught, and dreamed, experiencing the life of a woman who quietly but powerfully shaped her community.
Carter’s legacy extended beyond writing. She founded Maplewood’s first women’s reading circle, hosted public lectures in her parlor, and established a scholarship fund for aspiring female teachers in the area. The house itself, now preserved as the Eliza Carter House & Museum, was a center of ideas and mentorship. Visitors today can walk through the rooms where she wrote, taught, and dreamed, experiencing the life of a woman who quietly but powerfully shaped her community.
Eliza Carter and Family
c. 1885
Courtesy of Carter Heritage House
Eliza Carter and Family
c. 1885
Courtesy of Carter Heritage House
Eliza Carter in the Gardens.
c. 1883
Courtesy of Carter Heritage House
Eliza Carter in the Gardens.
c. 1883
Courtesy of Carter Heritage House
Eliza Carter and the Maplewood Women's LiteraryClub
c. 1892
Courtesy of Diane Carter
Eliza Carter and the Maplewood Women's Literary Club
c. 1892
Courtesy of Diane Carter
Eliza Carter and Family
c. 1885
Courtesy of Carter Heritage House
Eliza Carter in the Gardens.
c. 1883
Courtesy of Carter Heritage House
Eliza Carter and the Maplewood Women's LiteraryClub
c. 1892
Courtesy of Diane Carter
Entrance to the Maplewood Historical Society
2014
Courtesy of Maplewood Historical Society
Entrance to the Maplewood Historical Society
2014
Courtesy of Maplewood Historical Society
Entrance to the Maplewood Historical Society
2014
Courtesy of Maplewood Historical Society
Maplewood Historical Society
2019
Courtesy of Maplewood Historical Society
Maplewood Historical Society
2019
Courtesy of Maplewood Historical Society
Maplewood Historical Society
2019
Courtesy of Maplewood Historical Society
Maplewood Historical Society
Maplewood Historical Society
Founded in 1956, the Maplewood Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the region. Through historic restorations, archives, and educational programs, the society connects the community with the stories that shaped Maplewood.
Founded in 1956, the Maplewood Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the region. Through historic restorations, archives, and educational programs, the society connects the community with the stories that shaped Maplewood.
In 1968, the society led the restoration of the Eliza Carter House, ensuring the home’s preservation as a cultural landmark. Today, their stewardship allows visitors to explore Carter’s legacy and experience the rich history of Maplewood firsthand.
In 1968, the society led the restoration of the Eliza Carter House, ensuring the home’s preservation as a cultural landmark. Today, their stewardship allows visitors to explore Carter’s legacy and experience the rich history of Maplewood firsthand.
Through continued preservation, research, and public engagement, the Maplewood Historical Society remains committed to safeguarding Maplewood’s historical legacy. Its work ensures that local history is not only protected, but shared, interpreted, and reimagined for generations to come.
Our Team
The Carter Heritage House is guided by a dedicated team of historians, educators, and museum professionals who work together to preserve the home and share Eliza Carter’s legacy with the public.
Our Team
The Carter Heritage House is guided by a dedicated team of historians, educators, and museum professionals who work together to preserve the home and share Eliza Carter’s legacy with the public.
Eleanor Briggs
Museum Director
Eleanor steers the Carter House with a curator’s eye and a storyteller’s heart. She oversees its mission, its future, and the many threads that knit a historic home into a living institution.
Eleanor Briggs
Museum Director
Eleanor steers the Carter House with a curator’s eye and a storyteller’s heart. She oversees its mission, its future, and the many threads that knit a historic home into a living institution.
Eleanor Briggs
Museum Director
Eleanor steers the Carter House with a curator’s eye and a storyteller’s heart. She oversees its mission, its future, and the many threads that knit a historic home into a living institution.
Maggie Whitcomb
Director of Preservation & Interpretation
Maggie tends to the house the way a gardener tends an heirloom rose. She guides preservation work, researches original details, and ensures each room breathes with the texture of the 1850s.
Maggie Whitcomb
Director of Preservation & Interpretation
Maggie tends to the house the way a gardener tends an heirloom rose. She guides preservation work, researches original details, and ensures each room breathes with the texture of the 1850s.
Maggie Whitcomb
Director of Preservation & Interpretation
Maggie tends to the house the way a gardener tends an heirloom rose. She guides preservation work, researches original details, and ensures each room breathes with the texture of the 1850s.
Dr. Samuel Rios
Curator of Collections & Manuscripts
Samuel works in the museum’s quietest rooms, where letters, teaching notes, and small domestic objects await their stories to be told. Her expertise reveals the intimate world of Eliza Carter’s writing and daily life.
Dr. Samuel Rios
Curator of Collections & Manuscripts
Samuel works in the museum’s quietest rooms, where letters, teaching notes, and small domestic objects await their stories to be told. Her expertise reveals the intimate world of Eliza Carter’s writing and daily life.
Dr. Samuel Rios
Curator of Collections & Manuscripts
Samuel works in the museum’s quietest rooms, where letters, teaching notes, and small domestic objects await their stories to be told. Her expertise reveals the intimate world of Eliza Carter’s writing and daily life.
Thomas “Tom” Ellery
Education & Programs Manager
Tom brings the house to life for visitors. Part educator, part storyteller, he creates the tours and programs that carry Eliza Carter’s legacy into classrooms, family visits, and evenings by candlelight.
Thomas “Tom” Ellery
Education & Programs Manager
Tom brings the house to life for visitors. Part educator, part storyteller, he creates the tours and programs that carry Eliza Carter’s legacy into classrooms, family visits, and evenings by candlelight.
Thomas “Tom” Ellery
Education & Programs Manager
Tom brings the house to life for visitors. Part educator, part storyteller, he creates the tours and programs that carry Eliza Carter’s legacy into classrooms, family visits, and evenings by candlelight.
Matthew Alcott
Community Outreach & Partnerships Coordinator
Matthew builds the museum’s circle of friends—schools, libraries, artists, and neighbors—ensuring the Carter House remains woven into community memory.
Matthew Alcott
Community Outreach & Partnerships Coordinator
Matthew builds the museum’s circle of friends—schools, libraries, artists, and neighbors—ensuring the Carter House remains woven into community memory.
Matthew Alcott
Community Outreach & Partnerships Coordinator
Matthew builds the museum’s circle of friends—schools, libraries, artists, and neighbors—ensuring the Carter House remains woven into community memory.
Lila Young
Visitor Experience & Volunteer Coordinator
Lila is often the first smile a visitor sees. He leads the docent team, welcomes guests, and makes sure everyone who walks through the front door leaves feeling a little more connected to the past.
Lila Young
Visitor Experience & Volunteer Coordinator
Lila is often the first smile a visitor sees. He leads the docent team, welcomes guests, and makes sure everyone who walks through the front door leaves feeling a little more connected to the past.
Lila Young
Visitor Experience & Volunteer Coordinator
Lila is often the first smile a visitor sees. He leads the docent team, welcomes guests, and makes sure everyone who walks through the front door leaves feeling a little more connected to the past.
Help us Preserve Local History
The Carter Heritage House thrives thanks to the passion and dedication of our volunteers. From guiding tours and assisting with educational programs to helping with events and preservation projects, there are many ways to bring history to life and make a meaningful contribution to our community. Join our volunteer team and help share Eliza Carter’s story with the community.
Help us Preserve Local History
The Carter Heritage House thrives thanks to the passion and dedication of our volunteers. From guiding tours and assisting with educational programs to helping with events and preservation projects, there are many ways to bring history to life and make a meaningful contribution to our community. Join our volunteer team and help share Eliza Carter’s story with the community.