Programs and Events
Please note: due to COVID-19 concerns, our March and April events have been postponed. Please see below for updates.
More information on our response to COVID-19.
More information on our response to COVID-19.
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March
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
4th Annual Conservation Evening Thursday, March 19, 3 and 7 PM, Hancock-Clarke House Among the exquisite, professionally-made furniture of the Hancock-Clarke House, hangs a hidden treasure. Made in the 1770s, a set of bed curtains wrapping around a four-poster bed bursts with color from the variety of embroidered plants and animals climbing its sides. Created from raw flax and wool over a period of 9 years by Deborah Dwight Gould of Dedham, it is a perfect example of the creativity and determination of colonial women to produce artwork at the level of any professional craftsman. Textiles are among the most fragile of antiques, and this treasure is in need of conservation to ensure its survival for the next 250 years of its life. If you would like to help with this endeavor, please join us on Thursday, March 19, for our 4th Annual Conservation Evening. This year's fundraiser will feature textile conservator Deirdre Windsor, who will guide us in a closer look at the conservation work necessary to preserve the bed hangings for the future. This will be an intimate event with the opportunity to see the bed hangings in situ, and to contribute to their conservation. Two sessions will be offered, one at 3 PM, and one at 7 PM, with extremely limited space. To register, please contact the office by phone at 781-862-1703, or by email at office@lexingtonhistory.org. |
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
400 Years in 40 Minutes Friday, March 20, 7 PM, Lexington Depot We all know what put Lexington on the map – the famous events of April 19, 1775. But did you know that Lexington had a long and spectacular history both before and after the battle? Inspired by PechaKucha presentations, join us for a whirlwind tour of Lexington’s past, from pre-colonial Native American society, to the present. Along the way, meet some of Lexington’s most intriguing characters throughout the years, and see how the town progressed from a sleepy farming community to the vibrant cultural center it is today. Presented by long-time Historical Society volunteer Marsha Baker, this will be a fun and comprehensive introduction to town history for residents old and new! Will your favorite slice of Lexington history be highlighted? Stop by to see! Free and open to all! Registration is required. Please email programs@lexingtonhistory.org or call 781-862-1703 or to reserve your seat. |
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
Book Group Meeting #4: "Leadership in Turbulent Times" by Doris Kearns Goodwin Tuesday, March 24, 6 PM, Lexington Depot The Lexington Historical Society Book Group meets five times each year, and new members are always welcome! Our next book is the latest release from acclaimed local historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin. Exploring how great leaders are created through a history of dealing with conflict, Goodwin follows four American presidents: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson, throughout their lives, culminating in the national crises they dealt with during their time in the White House. Coming from a variety of backgrounds, these men rose to the challenge of leading a nation with grit, determination, and mediation. The New York Times notes, "We can benefit from reminders that even flawed mortals can, in times of national emergency, achieve great things. We can only hope that a few of Goodwin’s many readers will find in her subjects’ examples a margin of inspiration and a resolve to steer the country to a better place.” Includes catered dinner from Neillio's. Stay tuned for our last book of the spring: “A Woman of No Importance: The untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II” by Sonia Purnell on May 5! $30 members, $35 non-members. |
The 2020 Cronin Lecture Series is sponsored by Enterprise Bank.
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
Cronin Lecture: "I Now Pronounce You Lucy Stone" with Judith Kalaora Saturday, March 28, 7 PM, Lexington Depot Co-Sponsored by the Lexington League of Women Voters Challenging discrimination is not easy; Lucy Stone was never one to take the easy road. The first woman from Massachusetts to earn a college degree, Lucy was an ardent supporter of human rights. Always fierce, her belief that women and men be equal was evident in both her political and personal endeavors. Her message inspired thousands to join the suffrage movement; even Susan B. Anthony credits Lucy's impassioned speeches for her involvement. See Lucy's story brought to life by living historian and actress Judith Kalaora, and learn more about the role that Massachusetts women played in the fight for women's suffrage. Free and open to all! Registration is required. Please email programs@lexingtonhistory.org or call 781-862-1703 or to reserve your seat. |
April
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
Lexington Historical Society Annual Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 7 PM, Lexington Depot Join other members as we celebrate our volunteers, present awards, and vote on by-law changes. This year we will also hear from Jonathan Lane, the coordinator of Revolution250, a consortium of historic sites and organizations dedicated to memorializing the 25oth anniversary of the American Revolution in New England. Lane will explain the organization's current efforts and how it is moving forward as we get closer to April 19th, 2025. Refreshments will be provided. Free and open to all! |
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
A Revolution of Her Own! Saturday, April 18, 5:45 PM, Lexington Depot Deborah Sampson, the first woman to fight in and be honorably discharged from the American Military, captivates audiences in an immersive living history program chronicling her life. An indentured servant by age five, Deborah grew up in a man’s world, where women were naught but second-class citizens. As a self-educated master-less woman, she felt a higher calling, and in the final years of the American Revolution, Deborah bound her chest, tied back her hair, and enlisted in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Army, as “Robert Shurtlieff.” The American Heroine, played by living historian and actress Judith Kalaora, takes you back in time! Suggested Donation $5. Registration is required. Please email programs@lexingtonhistory.org or call 781-862-1703 or to reserve your seat. |
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
Author Reading and Signing with Jenny Cote: The Declaration, the Sword, and the Spy Sunday, April 19, 3:00 and 7:30 PM, Lexington Depot Before you see Paul Revere ride into Lexington and hear the first shots fired at Lexington Green, listen to the story of April 19, 1775 come alive as Author Jenny L. Cote reads snippets of scenes from her newly released eighth novel, The Declaration, the Sword, and the Spy. She’ll share how she makes the American Revolution come alive for readers of all ages, and how she preserves historical accuracy in storytelling through fantasy fiction in a digital age where history is being rewritten and pushed to the margins. Fall in love with history, so that history will never get old. Book signing to follow. Free and open to all! No reservations required. |
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
Paul Revere’s Ride Reenactment Sunday, April 19, 11:30 PM, Hancock-Clarke House A dramatic reenactment of the arrival of Paul Revere at the Hancock-Clarke House in Lexington after his famous ride. See Paul Revere and William Dawes bring the alarm to Lexington, on real horses, at the time and place this historic event actually happened! Free and open to the public! |
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
Patriots' Day Monday, April 20, time and place vary For our full Patriots' Day schedule and museum opening hours, please click here. |
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
First Shot! The Day The Revolution Began Monday, April 20, 9, 10, and 11 AM, Lexington Depot Dive deeper into the history behind the Battle of Lexington with screenings of our short film First Shot! The Day The Revolution Began. Following the film, enjoy an interactive Q&A with reenactors who participate in the battle on the Green. Finally, learn a few patriotic tunes with the Lexington Historical Society Colonial Singers! Adults $3, Children $1. Tickets available at the door. |
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This year's scavenger hunt will be made available online - watch this spot!
Revolutionary Scavenger Hunt Tuesday, April 21, 9 AM - 12 PM, starting at Lexington Depot Where is the Parker boulder? Is there a weathervane on the Belfry? What happened at the Harrington House? No matter how long you've lived in Lexington, there is still plenty for your kids to discover! Have them test their clue-solving and observation skills with a Revolutionary-themed scavenger hunt that takes them to sites around the Lexington Green. Fun and prizes for all ages!
Free and open to all! |
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
Kids’ Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington Wednesday, April 22, Buckman Tavern Session 1: 10 AM- 11:15 AM Session 2: 12:30 PM- 1:45 PM Defend your home or squash a rebellion, the choice is yours! Lexington Historical Society, in partnership with the Lexington Visitors Center, the Lexington Minute Men and His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot welcome all willing participants for a reenactment of the Battle of Lexington. Age Range: 1st-8th grade. $5 pre-registration or $10 at the event while tickets last. Registration and more information available here. |
May
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Book Group Meeting #5: "A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II" by Sonia Purnell Tuesday, May 5, 7 PM, Lexington Depot Virginia Hall was the type of character that could have stepped out of a Hollywood blockbuster: a socialite turned spy, Hall made her mark as "the most dangerous of the Allied Spies" in Nazi-occupied France. Fearless behind enemy lines, Hall disguised herself as a reporter to collect information about enemy activity, smuggled ammunition and money, organized prison breaks, and formed and trained French resistance groups, all while maneuvering on a wooden leg she named Cuthbert. Kirkus reviews writes that this book "shows how, if Hall had been a man, dropping undercover in and out of occupied Vichy, Paris, and Lyon, setting up safe houses, and coordinating couriers for the Resistance, she would now be as famous as James Bond…Meticulous research results in a significant biography of a trailblazer who now has a CIA building named after her.” The last book group meeting of the year is always free and open to the public, and includes coffee, tea, and sweets instead of dinner. Registration is recommended so we can ensure enough cookies for the group! Please email programs@lexingtonhistory.org or call 781-862-1703 or to reserve your seat. |
