Arts & Culture

LWV introduces the Margaret Kennedy Social Justice Initiative with discussion of immigration policy

March 7, 2026

The League of Women Voters Acton Area (LWVAA) hosted a forum on Saturday, Feb. 28 at Acton Town Hall entitled, “Restoring the Promise: Immigration Policy and the Path Forward.” The event was the first one made possible by the Margaret Kennedy Social Justice Initiative Fund, established with a bequest from long-time LWVAA member Margaret Kennedy, known to family and friends as Marge. As previously reported, the bequest supports a multi-year initiative to advance Marge’s legacy of social justice work through public forums, speaker series, and other community building programs. More than 50 attendees gathered in person, with another 40 online,…

Old church to get new steeple

February 28, 2026

by Karen Boutet

A historically significant repair project is set to begin this spring in West Acton. The church at 592 Massachusetts Avenue is located within the West Acton Village Historic District and stands as the village’s oldest active church. The original West Acton Baptist Church, built in 1846, was destroyed…

Margaret Kennedy Social Justice Initiative Fund inaugural event: “Restoring the Promise”

February 21, 2026

by The Acton Exchange Team

League of Women Voters – Acton Area (the League) has announced the establishment of the Margaret Kennedy Social Justice Initiative Fund in honor of Marge’s passionate commitment to social justice. The multi-year initiative, funded by a generous bequest at her death in December 2022, will continue her commitment…

Seeing a classic in a new way: Umbrella Stage Company presents “To Kill a Mockingbird”

February 14, 2026

by The Acton Exchange Team

CONCORD, Mass. – February 10, 2026 – Harper Lee’s 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” sells nearly one million copies each year. But director Scott Edmiston says he is looking to create a uniquely theatrical retelling of the well-known book and film in a new stage…

Cain lecture: While soldiers fight, civilians endure hunger, terror, and disease under Brits

February 7, 2026

by James Conboy

Jan. 28, Francis Faulkner Meeting Room, Acton Town Hall: Historian Alexander Cain, JD, tonight brought to light the typically untold stories of Boston’s civilians caught in the crossfire at the dawn of the American Revolution. Mr. Cain’s presentation, “I Screamed with All My Might”-The Civilians Trapped Behind the…

Umbrella Art Center showcases Marsha Wilcox’s astroimages in new and imaginative ways

January 31, 2026

by Kim Kastens

On the cold dark evening of January 28, a capacity crowd filled the main gallery of the Umbrella Arts Center (the Umbrella) in Concord for the opening of the Ancient Light exhibit, featuring the work of Acton astroimager Marsha Wilcox. As readers may recall from Wilcox’s exhibit at…

Miss Sherlock brings mystery with a twist to Acton

January 24, 2026

by Grace Blaufuss

Theater III’s dress rehearsal of Miss Holmes showed great promise for the upcoming production. Despite the expected level of technical issues being ironed out, the actors powered through and delivered without any interruptions. Their feat is all the more impressive considering the complexity of the show. Sherlock Holmes…

“Common Sense” at 250: A timely reflection on independence

January 18, 2026

by Ann Marie Testarmata

On Jan. 10, 2026, residents from Acton and beyond gathered at the Acton Memorial Library to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Thomas Paine’s groundbreaking pamphlet, “Common Sense.” The meeting room was full, although many had sent their regrets as they set out to join protests. The timing felt…

Makes U Wanna makes Acton residents wanna dance

December 13, 2025

by Franny Osman

Acton-based band Makes U Wanna drew a full house at Dirigible Brewing in Littleton Saturday afternoon, December 6. Except for the cars lining the otherwise empty office park lot, you wouldn’t guess a rock and roll concert was underway inside, just beyond the hand-painted Dirigible sign. Makes U…

Acton’s story takes center stage in Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution”

November 22, 2025

by Greg Jarboe

When Ken Burns’ The American Revolution premiered on Nov. 16, 2025, millions of viewers across the country were introduced — or reintroduced — to the dramatic events that ignited America’s fight for independence. But for Acton residents, Episode 1, “In Order to Be Free (May 1754–May 1775),” offered…

Acton-Boxborough Community Band performs show tunes

November 22, 2025

by Bill Ossmann

Thursday, November 13 was a wonderful evening for lovers of show music. The Acton-Boxborough Community Band, led by Conductor Dr. David Manuel Garcia, performed a concert they called “All the World’s a Stage”. The band performed in the Douglas/Gates cafeteria, presenting a program of music from well-known stage…

Friends of Pine Hawk takes a field trip to Hockomock Swamp

November 22, 2025

by Alissa Nicol

On a bright and clear All Saints Day, more than a dozen hikers joined former town conservation staffer Bettina Abe and historian Dan Boudillion, author of “History of the Nashobah Praying Indians: Doings, Sufferings, Survival, and Triumph,” for a hike through the Hockomock Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA)…

Art mural “Great Place to Learn and Grow” unveiled

November 1, 2025

by Jeff Brown

Acton’s newest piece of public art was unveiled on Friday, October 17. The twelve-foot-square mural is mounted on the back wall of Donelan’s in Gould’s Plaza, visible from the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and Brooks St. Several town and state officials attended the ceremony in the parking lot,…

Restaurant Week re-cap

November 1, 2025

Jeff BrownandThe Acton Exchange Team

This year’s Restaurant Week featured twelve establishments, each offering a special item or menu. Ever ready for a challenge, Acton Exchange’s writing crew fanned out to sample what Acton had to offer. Rapscallion: Cozy ambience meets comfort food with a brewery. 5 Strawberry Hill Road, Acton: For decades,…

Review: Benefit concert for Cuba by Sol y Canto

November 1, 2025

by Meg Stafford

Sol y Canto, a pan-Latin ensemble whose mission includes “connect[ing] us all to our hopes and visions of a better world,” performed in Boxborough on Saturday, October 25. Our reviewer reflects: The moment Sol y Canto comes onstage, one is greeted by the exuberance and uncontained joy that…

Two women wearing Indian clothing stand in front of a brightly colored curtain.

Music, dance, food, and sunshine; DiwaliFest draws crowds from Boxborough, Acton, and beyond

October 25, 2025

by Karen Root Watkins

With sun shining and festive colors at every turn, approximately 1700 people from Boxborough, Acton, and beyond gathered on Sunday, October 19 to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali. The term Diwali originates from a Sanskrit word meaning “row of lights” and is a major South Asian holiday…

Review: “Women in Jeopardy!” at Theater III

October 25, 2025

by Grace Blaufuss

Theater III held the opening night of “Women in Jeopardy!” by Wendy MacLeod this past Saturday. Cast and crew both came out of the gate running with a seamless execution of the “wine mom comedy”. In the play, tensions are rising in a group of middle-aged divorcees as…

Acton Historical Society Celebrates 65 Years

October 25, 2025

by Patricia McTiernan

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…

Great gardens around town! Acton Garden Club presents 2025 Looking Good Awards

October 25, 2025

by Ann Marie Testarmata

With all the challenges facing the residents and businesses in Acton, from dust and drought to ongoing construction at Kelley’s Corner, to changing rains, floods, and winds, it’s a wonder there’s time or space for beauty, flowers and landscaping among our businesses. But in little corners of town,…

Scarecrows lining up on Parker Street

October 11, 2025

by Lori Krinsky

The scarecrows are lined up and ready to greet the public at Cucurbit Farm, 32 Parker St. in Acton. The public is invited to vote for their favorite at the “Stand Up to Stigma” Scarecrow Contest. These scarecrow faces are just a touch of the creativity on display…

In his third visit, historian dives deeply into the American Revolution

October 11, 2025

by James Conboy

Sept. 30, Francis Faulkner Meeting Room, Acton Town Hall: A balky slide projector was no obstacle for a seasoned presenter like Bob Allison, as he breezed right into his talk, “Beyond the bridge, an Acton 250 lecture,” while technicians finally worked out the kinks. Dr. Allison, a Suffolk…

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Arts & Culture

LWV introduces the Margaret Kennedy Social Justice Initiative with discussion of immigration policy

Old church to get new steeple

Margaret Kennedy Social Justice Initiative Fund inaugural event: “Restoring the Promise”

Seeing a classic in a new way: Umbrella Stage Company presents “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Cain lecture: While soldiers fight, civilians endure hunger, terror, and disease under Brits

Umbrella Art Center showcases Marsha Wilcox’s astroimages in new and imaginative ways

Miss Sherlock brings mystery with a twist to Acton

“Common Sense” at 250: A timely reflection on independence

Makes U Wanna makes Acton residents wanna dance

Acton’s story takes center stage in Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution”

Acton-Boxborough Community Band performs show tunes

Friends of Pine Hawk takes a field trip to Hockomock Swamp

Art mural “Great Place to Learn and Grow” unveiled

Restaurant Week re-cap

Review: Benefit concert for Cuba by Sol y Canto

Music, dance, food, and sunshine; DiwaliFest draws crowds from Boxborough, Acton, and beyond

Review: “Women in Jeopardy!” at Theater III

Acton Historical Society Celebrates 65 Years

Great gardens around town! Acton Garden Club presents 2025 Looking Good Awards

Scarecrows lining up on Parker Street

In his third visit, historian dives deeply into the American Revolution

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