Exhibitions
Lexington Historical Society offers 5 rotating, special exhibitions per year in all of our historic spaces, plus 4 rotating exhibits in the windows of Lexington’s CVS pharmacy.
Lexington Celebrates! Parades, Pageants, & Pandemonium
Location: Buckman Tavern
Opening: April 12th, 2024
What do we choose to celebrate from our past, and how? For almost 250 years, Lexington has celebrated the start of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. From solemn events that commemorate those who risked their lives for self-determination, to joyful fanfare marking the birth of the United States, the annual retelling of April 19th has been used to characterize the broader “American” story as one of bravery and independence.
This exhibit examines how our relationship to our past has changed and stayed the same through the years. As we head toward the 250th anniversary of the battle, take a look at some of the successes and pitfalls of years past.
Lexington Celebrates! is included with museum admission.
Lexington Academy
Location: CVS Pharmacy, 1735 Massachusetts Avenue
Opening: January 9th, 2024
Colonial towns in Massachusetts were required by law to offer public elementary schools, but these were not always able to provide enough education to get students into college. Following the American Revolution, private academies popped up to service families who wanted secondary education for their children. While some, like Deerfield Academy, still operate today, Lexington Academy closed after just ten years. Looking at its archives can teach us quite a bit about the values and educational content of the time.
Lexington Academy is free and viewable from the sidewalk.
Past Exhibitions
Revolution in a Cup
Location: Buckman Tavern
Opening: November 24th, 2023 - February 18th, 2024
Tea was a surprisingly divisive political symbol in revolutionary America. The Boston Tea Party is a celebrated event, but the crisis reached far beyond the harbor. On December 13th, 1773, the citizens of Lexington were the first to make a public protest against a new law regulating taxation and trade of tea. With Boston stymied by debates around ships still sitting at the dock, Lexingtonians voted to destroy tea already purchased, setting an example for others. For the 250th anniversary of the tea crisis, explore the origins of the tea crisis and see beautiful examples of tea wares from the Lexington Historical Society collection.
Revolution in a Cup is included with museum admission.
Stitching Stories: Textiles in Conversation
Location: Buckman Tavern
Opening: September 23, 2022
Stitching Stories features a wide range of textiles, some from the Society's permanent collection, and some made by artists working today. The historic textiles date from the mid-18th century through the 1960s. Curious visitors will discover connections between these and the contemporary textiles, and between their own lived experiences and those of days gone by. This is part of a new initiative, Contemporary Meets Colonial, which marks the first time the Society will integrate contemporary art into the period rooms of Buckman Tavern.
Slavery Reinterpretation
Location: Hancock-Clarke House
Opening: April 16, 2022
Black New Englanders, both free and enslaved, were far more visible in the 18th century than many modern visitors to a town like Lexington might expect. A new exhibit and tour at Hancock-Clarke House, opening around Patriots’ Day, aims to tell the stories of ALL the residents of the house, including Jack and Dinah, the enslaved Black servants of the Hancock family.
Something Must Be Done
Location: Buckman Tavern
On Display: March 8, 2020 - August 31, 2022
Fierce, intrepid women have been a part of Lexington since before the militia fired the first shots of Revolution on Lexington Common in 1775. Women played significant roles in struggles for independence, abolition, suffrage, and peace. And they found their own ways to make bold statements about what women could accomplish. Their words were often un-recorded. Their actions spoke volumes Their passion helped shape Lexington and the world. This is their story.
The World of Julia Ann Meriam Stetson
Location: Archives and Research Center, Munroe Tavern
On Display: May 7, 2022 - July 31, 2022
Saturday & Sundays, 12PM - 4PM
Julia Ann Meriam Stetson was a remarkable Lexington woman. Learn more about her life and her stewardship of Buckman Tavern in our newest Archives and Research Center exhibition. One of the highlights is a hand-drawn map of the world that Julia completed in 1821, a recent addition to the collection and a candidate for conservation.
A Taste for Chocolate
Location: Archives and Research Center, Munroe Tavern
On Display: February 5 - April 24, 2022
Chocolate is universally recognized and widely enjoyed, yet most people know little about its origin and history. From the cultivation of the humble cacao pod to the development of modern American chocolate culture, find out more about the rich and varied history of chocolate, as told through antique books, works of art, advertisements, and more from a private collection as well as our own collections!