The Cumberland Historical Society was founded on March 25, 1939. Its meetings and possesions were initially held in the Prince Memorial Library in Cumberland. The Society acquired the 1853 schoolhouse at 4A Blanchard Road from the Town of Cumberland, and has occupied the building as its meeting place and museum since 1989.
For many years the collection was housed on the top floor of Stimson Memorial Hall on Shaker Road, Gray. In 1978 the move was made to the second floor of Pennell Institute, where it remained until 2009. The collection was then moved to the current location in the old fire barn on Main Street.