The Society has an impressive list of achievements since its founding a century ago. The jewel in the Society's achievements is the acquisition and maintenance of the Parson Capen House, built in the summer of 1683 by Reverend Joseph Capen, minister of the church in Topsfield. The house is situated on a knoll overlooking the Common on a twelve acre lot of land granted him by the Town in 1682. The house is probably the finest surviving example of Elizabethan architecture in America. Carved in a beam in the parlor is the date July 8th Ye 1683. It is an outstanding example of early colonial period homes. The Topsfield Historical Society purchased the house in 1913. It was restored under the direction of George Francis Dow, and an official housewarming was held on January 14, 1914.

The Society has published thirty-three volumes of historical collections, two volumes of births, marriages and deaths to the end of the year 1950. In 1902 the Society published "The Houses and Buildings of Topsfield" by John H. Towne. In 1989 another book of the same title was published, written by C. Lawrence Bond. In general, Towne's information was updated to 1980. In 1940 the "History of Topsfield" by George Francis Dow was published and was reprinted in 1982.

Literature may be purchased from the Society, particularly, "History of Topsfield" by Dow and "Houses and Buildings" by Bond.

In 1960 the Parson Capen House was designated a National Historic Landmark. In awarding the designation the U.S. Department of Interior stated that this site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.