For a full list of programs, please visit the Calendar
March 28, 2019
Catherine Allgor, President of the Massachusetts Historical Society, presents the annual Mary Lesneski Memorial Lecture. Dolley Madison is famously credited for "redecorating" the executive mansion. It is more accurate, however, that Dolley Madison and architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe restructured the space in order to accomodate James Madison's political goals. Dr. Allgor explores the political meanings and intent behind their decorative choices which not only transformed the president's house, but made the "White House" (as it became known under Dolley's tenure) a national symbol.
This event is organized by the Concord Museum Guild of Volunteers to support the Museum's education initiatives. The lecture will be held in the Franklin Lyceum in the Rasmussen Education Center with a reception to follow.
Made possible in part by the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati.
Members $30; Non-Members $40. Please register below.
April 11, 2019
Join other Concord Museum Members for a student-led tour of the Davis Museum at Wellesley College, one of the first American colleges to introduce both an art history program and modern art course. Together we'll discover the treasures of the Davis' permanent collection. This is a members-only program. If you are not yet a member, please click here to join today before registering. Members free. Please register below.
April 13, 2019
Rendezvous for Revolution at the Concord Museum! Make the Concord Museum part of your Patriots’ Day tradition!
Join us for a Minute Man encampment with Billerica Colonial Minute Men, gallery talks, collection spotlights, dances, music, activities, and art-making. The Rasmussen Education Center is open Saturday, April 13 through Monday, April 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with special activities ongoing. Free with Museum admission, members free.
On Monday, April 15, as Concord's Annual Patriots’ Day Parade heads through the center of town, make sure to stop by historic Wright Tavern from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.! Free. (The Wright Tavern address is: 2 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742.)
Saturday, April 13 -Rasmussen Education Center
10:00 – 4:00 P.M. Billerica Colonial Minute Men Encampment
In 1775, the residents of Billerica, like other towns surrounding Boston, were stirring in a cauldron of patriot fervor. Yet tradesmen and their sons still tanned leather, cast spoons and buttons out of pewter, made brooms and soap. Join the Billerica Colonial Minute Men as they demonstrate candle and soap making, musket firing, leather stitching, musket ball and button casting, and baking bread and pies. Free.
10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Inspiring Revolution with Art
Who do you want to carry with you into battle? Many of the young people who defended the colonies and fought the British army had never been away from home before. Keeping a picture of their mom, wife, or child around their neck or in their pocket helped them feel less homesick and remember who they are fighting for. Make a Pocket Portrait of a loved one to inspire you to keep fighting for what you believe in! Free with museum admission, members free.
10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Quill Pen Writing and Feather Quill Making
Try your hand at using a feather quill and ink to write like a revolutionary! Then make your own to take home. Free with Museum admission, members free.
Ongoing. Collections Spotlight in April 19th Gallery at the Concord Museum
Drop by and discover why the British Regulars marched towards Concord on April 19, 1775. Then learn more about the colonial militia’s supplies and arms hidden in Concord prior to the first battle of the American Revolution. Free with Museum admission, members free.
April 13, 2019
Purchase tickets to the April 13, 2019 Patriots' Ball below!
This patriotic evening is organized by the Concord Museum Guild of Volunteers and is a festive way to celebrate Concord's role in the first battle of the American Revolution in April 1775. Join us for an evening of music, raffles, cocktails, Americana style food, and patriotic activities – including a late night march through town to see Samuel Prescott warn us that “The Regulars are coming!”
The Concord Museum is pleased to present at the 2019 Patriots' Ball the inaugural Robert Gross Award for Advancing Concord's History to Maria Madison, President of The Robbins House.
Ticket sales and proceeds from this evening support the Concord Museum's education initiatives. The Museum’s educational programs serve nearly 14,000 students from Massachusetts and beyond each year and teach children about the ideas of freedom, self-government and individualism and help to bring our nation’s history alive.
Cynthia and Bryon Deysher
Dennis and Kim Burns
Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati
Claire and Joshua Nelson
April 15, 2019
Join us the night of Patriots’ Day to hear from renowned storyteller and Northeastern University historian, Bill Fowler discuss two important figures who shaped the fabric of the American Revolution and the country that it formed.
Dr. William Morgan Fowler, Jr. is a professor emeritus of history at Northeastern University, Boston and a prolific author. He served as Director of the Massachusetts Historical Society from 1998 through 2005. Along with numerous published works, Fowler wrote biographies on both John Hancock and Sam Adams The Baron of Beacon Hill: A Biography of John Hancock (1980) and Samuel Adams: Radical Puritan (1997).
Members $5; Non-members $10. This program is supported in part by the Sally Lanagan Fund and grants from the Concord Cultural Council, the Lexington Council for the Arts, and the Lincoln Cultural Council – local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Register here.
March 23, 2019
SOLD OUT!
Thank you for your interest in Teddy Bear Tea at the Concord Museum. We hope you can join us for these upcoming family programs on Patriots' Day Weekend, April School Vacation Week, and for a very special hands-on program: An Old Fashioned Breakfast!
Delight your child or grandchild with an afternoon for just the two of you! Bring a favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal to join you for tea or cocoa and take part in a simple craft. Tea served in the brand new Rasmussen Education Center with jewel-like silken tea infusers crafted by Tea Forté of Concord makes the experience a memorable one.
Sweets are provided by Vintage Tea and Cake of Belmont. Seatings are from 12:00-1:00 p.m. & 2:00-3:00 p.m.; Non-members $25/adults, $22/child, Members $20/adult, $17/ child; includes admission to Highlights of the Concord Museum, on view now in the Rasmussen Education Center.
SOLD OUT! Space is limited; Reservations required. Reserve in advance by phone at 978-369-9763 ext. 216.
April 13, 2019
Rendezvous for Revolution at the Concord Museum! Make the Concord Museum part of your Patriots’ Day tradition!
Join us for a Minute Man encampment with Billerica Colonial Minute Men, gallery talks, collection spotlights, dances, music, activities, and art-making. The Rasmussen Education Center is open Saturday, April 13 through Monday, April 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with special activities ongoing. Free with Museum admission, members free.
On Monday, April 15, as Concord's Annual Patriots’ Day Parade heads through the center of town, make sure to stop by historic Wright Tavern from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.! Free. (The Wright Tavern address is: 2 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742.)
Saturday, April 13 -Rasmussen Education Center
10:00 – 4:00 P.M. Billerica Colonial Minute Men Encampment
In 1775, the residents of Billerica, like other towns surrounding Boston, were stirring in a cauldron of patriot fervor. Yet tradesmen and their sons still tanned leather, cast spoons and buttons out of pewter, made brooms and soap. Join the Billerica Colonial Minute Men as they demonstrate candle and soap making, musket firing, leather stitching, musket ball and button casting, and baking bread and pies. Free.
10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Inspiring Revolution with Art
Who do you want to carry with you into battle? Many of the young people who defended the colonies and fought the British army had never been away from home before. Keeping a picture of their mom, wife, or child around their neck or in their pocket helped them feel less homesick and remember who they are fighting for. Make a Pocket Portrait of a loved one to inspire you to keep fighting for what you believe in! Free with museum admission, members free.
10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Quill Pen Writing and Feather Quill Making
Try your hand at using a feather quill and ink to write like a revolutionary! Then make your own to take home. Free with Museum admission, members free.
Ongoing. Collections Spotlight in April 19th Gallery at the Concord Museum
Drop by and discover why the British Regulars marched towards Concord on April 19, 1775. Then learn more about the colonial militia’s supplies and arms hidden in Concord prior to the first battle of the American Revolution. Free with Museum admission, members free.
April 14, 2019
Rendezvous for Revolution at the Concord Museum! Make the Concord Museum part of your Patriots’ Day tradition!
Join us for a Minute Man encampment with Billerica Colonial Minute Men, gallery talks, collection spotlights, dances, music, activities, and art-making. The Rasmussen Education Center is open Saturday, April 13 through Monday, April 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with special activities ongoing. Free with Museum admission, members free.
On Monday, April 15, as Concord's Annual Patriots’ Day Parade heads through the center of town, make sure to stop by historic Wright Tavern from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.! Free. (The Wright Tavern address is: 2 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742.)
Sunday, April 14, 2019
10:00 – 4:00 P.M. Inspiring Revolution with Art
Who do you want to carry with you into battle? Many of the young people who defended the colonies and fought the British army had never been away from home before. Keeping a picture of their mom, wife, or child around their neck or in their pocket helped them feel less homesick and remember who they are fighting for. Make a Pocket Portrait of a loved one to inspire you to keep fighting for what you believe in! Free with museum admission, members free.
10:00 – 3:00 P.M. Quill Pen Writing and Feather Quill Making
Try your hand at using a feather quill and ink to write like a revolutionary! Then make your own to take home. Free with Museum admission, members free.
Ongoing. Collections Spotlight in April 19th Gallery at the Concord Museum
Drop by and discover why the British Regulars marched towards Concord on April 19, 1775. Then learn more about the colonial militia’s supplies and arms hidden in Concord prior to the first battle of the American Revolution. Free with Museum admission, members free.
April 15, 2019
Rendezvous for Revolution at the Concord Museum! Make the Concord Museum part of your Patriots’ Day tradition!
Join us for a Minute Man encampment with Billerica Colonial Minute Men (Saturday, April 13), gallery talks, collection spotlights, dances, music, activities, and art-making. The Rasmussen Education Center is open Saturday, April 13 through Monday, April 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with special activities ongoing. Free with Museum admission, members free.
On Monday, April 15, as Concord's Annual Patriots’ Day Parade heads through the center of town, make sure to stop by historic Wright Tavern from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.! Free. (The Wright Tavern address is: 2 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742.)
Monday, April 15, 2019
9:00 A.M. Concord Patriots’ Day Parade begins
9:00 – 1:00 P.M. Wright Tavern Open House
As the Concord Annual Patriots’ Day Parade heads through the center of town, make sure to stop by historic Wright Tavern from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. for some fun and games! Play colonial games, make your own tricorne hat, and learn about the history of Wright Tavern, constructed in 1747, and the role the tavern played on April 19, 1775. Free.
9:30 – 12:00 P.M. Fife performances in historic Wright Tavern
Listen to the battle cries of revolution from fifer Donald Heminitz. Learn what it would have been like as a young Concord resident, too young to fight in battle but eager to protect his family and home. Free.
12:00 – 1:00 P.M. Hill Burying Ground Walking Tour from Wright Tavern
Take a walk from Wright Tavern to the Hill Burying Ground to get the same view of Concord depicted in the View of the Town of Concord by Amos Doolittle. Learn about the events of April 19, 1775 and how the colonists and the British experienced the first official battle of the American Revolution. Free.
10:00 – 4:00 P.M. Inspiring Revolution with Art
Who do you want to carry with you into battle? Many of the young people who defended the colonies and fought the British army had never been away from home before. Keeping a picture of their mom, wife, or child around their neck or in their pocket helped them feel less homesick and remember who they are fighting for. Make a Pocket Portrait of a loved one to inspire you to keep fighting for what you believe in! Free with museum admission, members free.
10:00 – 4:00 P.M. Quill Pen Writing and Feather Quill Making
Try your hand at using a feather quill and ink to write like a revolutionary! Then make your own to take home. Free with Museum admission, members free.
1:00 – 3:00 P.M. Colonial Dance workshop with Ruth Levin
Gather in the Churchill and Janet Franklin Lyceum to dance to the Minuet Step, Marmaduke’s Hornpipe and other social dances that entertained and connected the people of Concord and relieved the stress of revolution. Free with Museum admission, members free.
Ongoing. Collections Spotlight in April 19th Gallery at the Concord Museum
Drop by and discover why the British Regulars marched towards Concord on April 19, 1775. Learn more about the colonial militia’s supplies and arms hidden in Concord prior to the first battle of the American Revolution. Free with Museum admission, members free.
7:00 – 8:00 PM The Revolution’s Odd Couple: Sam Adams and John Hancock
Join us as we mark Patriots Day 2019 with historian William M. Fowler, Jr. who will give a talk on two revolutionary leaders, John Hancock and Sam Adams. Earlier in his career, Professor Fowler wrote biographies of each man: The Baron of Beacon Hill: A Biography of John Hancock and Samuel Adams: Radical Puritan. Members $5; Non-members $10. Register here.
Patriots’ Day might be ending, but the Revolution is just beginning!
A Revolutionary Duo
Friday, April 26 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Join the Concord Museum to wrap up our Patriots’ Day celebrations with a screening of A Revolutionary Duo - two short films investigating the war-time contributions of three New England residents during the Revolutionary War. After the screening, hear from the filmmaker, Maureen Taylor, and Pam Pacelli Cooper, owner of Verissima Productions as they discuss the process of turning non-fiction into a documentary. Free. Register here.
April 16, 2019
Tuesday, April 16 through Saturday, April 20 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(Museum closed Easter Sunday, April 21)
Animal Adventures at the Concord Museum
From prehistoric woolly mammoths to the Concord Town Cow, animals shape and reflect the history of the people of Concord. Be inspired by the furry, feathered, and fluffy creatures wild, tame, and magical that roam our town. Explore the history of Concord through animals in the Concord Museum’s Rasmussen Education Center this April Vacation Week!
Programs
Family Animal Tours
11:30 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. daily, meet in the Churchill and Janet Franklin Lyceum
Get out your binoculars! We’re going on a history hunt and we’re not going to stop until we find every creature hidden in the galleries. Tours are 20 minutes. All ages welcome.
Collection Management Highlight
1:30 P.M. Tuesday – Friday daily, Sally Lanagan Classroom
What do you do when there are termites in eighteenth-century wooden furniture? Has a mouse ever scurried through collection storage? Talks are 15 minutes. All ages welcome.
Fireside Story Time: Mysteries of Walden Woods
11:00 and 2:30 P.M. daily, Deysher Family Classroom
What magical creatures did Henry David Thoreau and his young companion Louisa May Alcott find on their walks through the forests of Concord? Sit by the roaring colonial hearth and hear stories written by Louisa May Alcott of the magical creatures that you might find on your next nature walk. Listen carefully and look closely and you might find clues left by fairies! Stay for one story or for the full 30 minutes. All ages welcome.
Spinning Wool with Cluck and Baa Farms
On-going Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 with related art-making activity, Churchill and Janet Franklin Lyceum and Rasmussen Education Center Patio (weather dependent).
Meet the Angor Rabbits whose fluffy fur transforms into cozy clothes. Work with a master weaver through the process of making fabric from carding to spinning to weaving on a loom. All ages welcome.
Hands-On Stone Tools
On-going daily, Musketaquid Gallery
What animals were in Concord 1,000 years ago? What about 10,000 years ago? Hold real stone tools and figure out how the people of Musketaquid lived and used animals to help their culture thrive. All ages welcome.
Animal Skin and Animal Fur
On-going daily, Deysher Family Classroom
When English colonists came to Concord for the first time, they met animals and people that they had never seen before. The colonists brought farm animals on their boats all the way from England, which were new and unusual to the native people who had lived in this area for thousands of years. The different ways these two cultures used very different animals sometimes led to trade and friendship but sometimes caused misunderstanding and conflict. Touch and hold Native American and English objects to find the similarities, differences, and opportunities for trade between the two cultures. All ages welcome.