Vintage cars, reenactors in Colonial dress, and sweet treats greeted visitors to the Acton Historical Society’s (Society) 65th anniversary celebration on October 19. Held at the Society’s headquarters at 300 Main Street, the event featured self-guided tours of historic Hosmer House and the nearby Barn, interaction with members of the Minuteman Model A Car Club, and opportunities to learn about some of the Town’s history from Society board members.
Bill Klauer, past president of the Society, has been studying Acton history since he was a teenager. He spoke of being invited, at age 15, to a planning meeting for the formation of an organization whereby town elders would get together to create records of their memories of Acton.
The Acton Historical Society was officially formed in 1960, and its mission is still to “discover, preserve, and make available information and artifacts related to the history of Acton,” as noted in its brochure.
Klauer said that initially there was no physical presence for the Society – the members did not want a building – but as interest in preserving history grew, the need for space became apparent. The Society acquired the land and buildings it currently occupies in the mid-1970s, assuming responsibility for restoring Hosmer House, which dates to 1760 and which had been damaged by fire and neglect. Klauer noted the generosity of Albert Jenks, a well-known developer in town, and his wife for donating funds that helped support the renovation of the house and the operations of the Society. The Jenks Library, another building on the property, which houses historic documents, is named for the couple.
Today, Hosmer House contains period furniture and artifacts from Revolutionary times to the 1800s and 1900s. Once the home of Jonathan Hosmer, Jr., who served in the Revolutionary War, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Visitors also toured the Barn, an 1822 structure built in New Hampshire and moved to Acton after being badly damaged. Today it houses a collection of early farm equipment, a farm wagon, an antique sleigh, and an antique fire pump, among other artifacts.
Acton Minutemen reenactors were on hand for the celebration, as were members of Iron Works Farm and, of course, those men in their Model A cars. The cars were a big attraction for Acton resident Anabelle Bird, who brought family members along. “I’m just interested in how they got them, how they refurbish them,” she said.
Charles and Carrie Mathews, long-time Acton residents, enjoyed touring the property. Charles, who had been a history major in college, had been to the site before, but it was Carrie’s first visit. “I grew up in Bedford, and my father was a member of the Bedford Minutemen,” she said, underscoring her interest in the region’s history.
The Acton Historical Society is an all-volunteer organization, and Bob Pion, the current president, was quick to acknowledge the contributions of Society members in organizing and staffing the event.
Patricia McTiernan moved to Acton in 2023 and enjoys meeting other residents and exploring the town and surrounding areas.
