AUGUST EVENTS FROM HISTORIC NEWTON
Ongoing through January 2018
FREED FROM THE FRAME: BEYOND THE CHILDHOOD PORTRAIT
Our exhibit displays six portraits of children from Historic Newton’s collection and also tells what happened to each child in adulthood. The lives of the children in the portraits reflect major events and cultural shifts in 19th century America, including changing gender roles, and military service in the Civil War. Drop-in activities, which change each month, build on themes from the lives of the people shown in the portraits. Through August 11, visitors are invited to play popular 19th-century board games, including chess and the less familiar spillkins and nine men’s morris. Even some games like solitaire were played in the 19th century. Activities from August 12 through September 8explore the life and lore of the lumberjack. The exhibit is open during regular museum hours.
Location: Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street, Newton
Admission: Included in museum admission fee
Information: 617-796-1450
Tuesday, August 15, 6:30 PM
UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS: WOMEN OF NEWTON’S
TURN-OF-THE-CENTURY HOUSEHOLDS
Discover the Newton Corner women who lived in the homes on Eldredge, Franklin, and Park Streets in 1900. Learn about the differences in the lives of live-in servants versus the mistresses of the homes (and their daughters). Using census data, marriage records, local histories, and newspaper accounts, Newton resident Anne Larner will paint a picture of life in 1900 for young women and enlighten us with stories of how life played out for selected women who lived upstairs and downstairs.
Location: Meet in Farlow Park at the intersection of Church and Eldredge Streets, Newton Corner
Admission: Suggested donation, $10 per person
Register: historicnewton.org, or come on tour day
Information: 617-796-1450
Wednesday, August 16, 10:30 AM
STORYTIME AT THE MUSEUMS: AT HOME AT THE HOMESTEAD
The Jackson Homestead has been occupied for over 200 years, and has seen many changes come to Newton. The Little House by Caldecott Award winner and Newton resident Virginia Lee Burton tells the story of a house similar to the Homestead. Explore the theme of home, and imagine life from a house’s perspective in this fun program. For children ages 18 months to 6 years and their caregivers. Includes free entrance to the museum after the program.
Location: Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street, Newton
Admission: Free
Information: 617-796-1450
Monday, August 28, 10:30 AM
STORYTIME AT THE MUSEUMS: FREEDOM
Today we will read the Caldecott Award winning book Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine based on a true story of one man’s unique, creative escape from enslavement. Preschoolers and their caregivers will be given an opportunity crawl inside Henry’s Box and see other artifacts about freedom seekers around Boston. Includes free entrance to the museum after the program.
Location: Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington Street, Newton
Admission: Free
Information: 617-796-1450
Thursday, August 31, 7:00 PM
WORLD WAR I AND AMERICAN JEWS
This lecture by author Gene Fax explores the effects of World War I on the American Jewish community. Beginning with the mass influx of Jews in the late 1800s through their service as soldiers in France and their experiences after the war, he will describe the Jews’ transformation from “immigrants” to “Americans” in their own eyes and those of their non-Jewish neighbors. He will also discuss how American institutions came to dominate the Jewish world after the war. Co-sponsored by Historic Newton.
Location: Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton
Admission: Free
Information: 617-796-1360
