In the mid-to late-19th century, mills along the Spicket River and Spicket Falls produced hats, shoes and textiles. Legacies of industrial wealth are seen today not only in the mill buildings, but also in the estate and civic architecture of Methuen's millionaires, the Searles, Tenney and Nevins families. The granite walls and turrets extending through central Methuen are prominent community features and monuments to the millionaire benefactors as well as to the immigrant laborers who built them 100 years ago.

Methuen combines farm settings with suburban sub-divisions and urban neighborhoods. Methuen Mall is a regional shopping center and Methuen's industrial parks are home to companies that include Colombo, McKesson, MicroTouch and Nabisco among others. Methuen's attractions include the Memorial Music Hall, which features the first concert organ in the United States.

The Organ Hall hosts a Wednesday evening recital series during the summer months and sponsors special event concerts throughout the year.

Methuen Mass is located in Northeastern Massachusetts, bordered by Dracut on the west; Pelham and Salem, New Hampshire, on the northwest and north; Haverhill on the northeast; North Andover on the southeast; and Lawrence and Andover on the south. Methuen is 11 miles north of Lowell; 27 miles north of Boston.