Founded in in 1980, the Shirley Historical Society preserves books, photos, papers, stories, and artifacts relating to the people, places, and history of Shirley, Massachusetts and operates the Shirley Historical Society Museum at the Lucy Longley Memorial Building. The Society also works to educate the public regarding historic matters and seeks to encourage preservation of historic sites within the town.

To accomplish these goals, the Society mounts exhibits and offers public programs at the Museum, while teaching local history lessons at the town schools and leading tours to points of interest throughout town.