Category Archives: In-Person

Twenty-Two Sites of Early Settlement: Lancaster, MA

This event is designed to draw persons interested in local and regional history to Lancaster, the oldest town in Worcester County. A new historical sign unveiling will begin the program to be followed by an overview talk and the distribution of brochures with maps included for self-guided tours. Members of the Historical Society will be on hand to answer questions and direct attendees.

Date: Sunday, May 23rd, 2021

Time: 2:00-4:00 pm

Location: Middle Cemetery, Main Street (Rte 70), Lancaster, MA

Parking Instructions: Roadside parking will be available.

Family-Friendly

Hosted By

Meeting House Hill Walking Tour

Join the Ashburnham Historical Society for a one-hour walking tour of the Meeting House Hill area to learn about the Well House, Animal Pound, and Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery, as well as why this area was selected as the original Town Common.

Date: Sunday, May 30th, 2021

Time: 2:00-3:00 pm

Location: Cushing Street, Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Parking Instructions: Parking is available around the Common, near the intersection of Cushing Street and Hastings Road.

Special Instructions: Please adhere to all current CDC and state COVID-19 regulations and guidelines, including wearing a mask and socially distancing.

Family-Friendly

Hosted By

Mill & Proctor Streets Area Walking Tour

Join the Ashburnham Historical Society for a one-hour walking tour of the Mill and Proctor Streets area to learn the history of the 19th century mills once located here and the story of the Flood of 1850.

Date: Sunday, May 16th, 2021

Time: 2:00-3:00 pm

Location: Chapel Street, Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Parking Instructions: Parking is available in the field near the intersection of Chapel and Water (Route 101) Streets.

Special Instructions: Please adhere to all current CDC and state COVID-19 regulations and guidelines, including wearing a mask and socially distancing.

Family-Friendly

Hosted By

Meeting House Historical Museum Open House

The Meeting House Historical Museum will open for the season in conjunction with Armed Forces Day and the Town Wide Yard Sale. Stop in to learn about some of the “new” treasures in the Ashburnham Historical Society’s collection.

Date: Saturday, May 15th, 2021

Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: 79 Main Street, Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Special Instructions: Please adhere to all current CDC and state COVID-19 regulations and guidelines, including wearing a mask and socially distancing.

Family-Friendly

Hosted By

Spring Bird Walk

We invite you to join Clay Hobart, North County Land Trust's local bird enthusiast on Sunday, May 16, to look, listen, and learn about the many birds found in our area. We will meet at 8am near our new property on the south slope of Mt. Watatic for this slow-paced guided hike.

Date: Sunday, May 16th, 2021

Time: 8:00-10:00 am

Location: North County Land Trust - Mt. Watatic South Slope, Rindge State Road, Ashburnham, MA

Parking Instructions: Directions on parking will be provided through a separate email after registration as this location does not yet have public parking.

Special Instructions: Bring your binoculars and your hiking shoes! Bring a mask to wear for times when distancing isn't possible.

Space is limited to 30

Family-Friendly

Reservations Required

Hosted By

From Farm to Forest

Formerly a working farm, town-owned Rauscher Farm's 62 acres of protected open space now comprise several diverse habitats, one of which is woodlands. In 2017, licensed forester Michael Barry generated a Woodland Enhancement Plan to manage and enrich Rauscher Farm's woodland habitats for wildlife. On May 22, "From Farm to Forest" will look at aspects of the plan in action.

Date: Saturday, May 22nd, 2021

Time: 1:00-4:00 pm

Location: Rauscher Farm, 29 Clamshell Rd, Clinton, MA

Family-Friendly

Restrooms available on site

Reservations Required, email info@rauscherfarm.org

Hosted By

Nonacoicus

At first, Nonacoicus was part of the town of Groton. Then from 1798 - 1871 it was part of Shirley. Now it is part of the town of Ayer. Learn about the geography, inhabitants, and industries of this area in an illustrated lecture.

Date: Saturday, May 29th, 2021

Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: Shirley Historical Society Museum, 182 Center Road, Shirley, MA

Special Instructions: Attendance is limited at three presentations on May 29th. Choose 10:00, 11:00, or 12:00. Or visit another time to view the display. Museum is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.

 

Space is limited to 4 family groups at each time

Restrooms available on site

Wheelchair accessible

Reservations Required, email mail@shirleyhistory.org

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Pop-up Museum: Native American Stone Artifacts & Tools

The Outdoor Native American Pop-up Museum will feature artifacts from the Westford Museum collection, a related children’s craft and storytime.

Evidence of Native Americans has been found in Westford areas such as Boutwells Meadow and Providence Meadow, and the Stone Circle at Grassy Pond. There is also evidence of a larger encampment with lodges at what is today called Forge Pond. Many of the Westford Museum’s stone artifacts and tools are from these area.

Join us for storytime at 3:00 pm. We will read Three Sisters Garden by Sandy Baker, a fun story of Cara, Sara, and Bari planting corn, squash, and beans, much like Native Americans have for centuries.

Our featured craft will be to start your own Tree Sisters companion garden  with corn, squash and beans.

Date: Sunday, May 16th, 2021

Time: 2:00-4:00 pm

Location: Westford Historical Society & Museum, 2 Boston Rd, Westford, MA

 

Family-Friendly

 

Hosted By

Rauscher Farm and Beyond

A walking loop through Rauscher Farm, Clinton, a tour of the beautiful wooded trails, our new Rail Trail, and landmarks along the way. We have an Eye Spy sheet for families with children. Long-sleeves and pants are recommended -- it can be buggy in the woods! Allow 2 hours for the walk. Bring your own picnic lunch, distanced, of course.

Date: Saturday, May 15th, 2021

Time: 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Location: Rauscher Farm, 29 Clamshell Rd, Clinton, MA

 

Space is limited to 40

Family-Friendly

 

Reservations Required -- Please RSVP to clebstein@gmail.com or phone 508-612-1156.

Hosted By

A Center Cemetery Tour

Come visit the resting places of the people who made Harvard, Massachusetts!

This self-guided tour through time explores the days of the town's incorporation through the late 20th century and the lives of Founding Fathers Simon Stone and Peter Atherton, the slave Othello, black Civil War soldier William Henry Hall, stone cutter Isaac Stone, philanthropist Margaret Blanchard, and adventurer William Savage. Each of these former residents pursued their dream of creating a better world for their children and each contributed to making Harvard a better place today. Whether you are guided by our website, harvardhistory.org/events, or follow our guide booklet, this tour is fun for all ages.

Date: Saturday, May 22nd, 2021

Time: 12:00-3:00 pm

Location: Harvard Center Burial Grounds, 1 Still River Rd, Harvard, MA

Weather Policy: Rain date - Sunday, May 23, 2021 12-3:00 PM. Postponement will be posted on The Harvard Historical Society's Facebook page as well as on Harvard Nextdoor at 7 AM, Saturday, May 22, 2021.

Driving Directions: From Rt 2 follow Rt 110-111 South to Harvard Center. Entrance to Burial Grounds is between Harvard General Store & Congregational Church.

From Rt 495 follow Rt 111 North to Harvard Center. Entrance to Burial Grounds is between Harvard General Store and Congregational Church.

Parking Instructions: Parking can be found around center of Harvard as well as at The Bromfield School, 14 Massachusetts Ave.

Family-Friendly

Pet-Friendly

 

Hosted By