History

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

February 21, 2026

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 to social justice via annual events, public forums, speaker series, and other community-building programs. Margaret (Marge) Kennedy was a long-time League member who served in almost every leadership position, although her greatest satisfaction came from her commitment to educating about the needs of the oppressed and building a sense of belonging in…

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…

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…

“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…

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…

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)…

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…

Acton 250: Robbins Ride reenactment draws a crowd

April 26, 2025

Alissa NicolandThe Acton Exchange Team

About 100 residents gathered at the Faulkner House early Friday evening to see the reenactment of the alarm ride of April 19, 1775. Members of the Acton Minutemen re-enact this event every year, with riders portraying Samuel Prescott and Captain Robbins’ 13-year-old son John Prescott, who rode to…

Acton 250: Acton Minutemen and followers march to Concord

April 26, 2025

by Franny Osman

The annual reenactment of the Acton Minutemen’s march from the Isaac Davis home site at 39 Hayward Rd in Acton to the Old North Bridge in Concord, took place earlier than usual this year, on Friday, April 18. One longtime veteran of the walk commented that the mild…

A man wearing a green polo shirt stands in front of a screen at the Acton Memorial Library. The screen shows a picture of the Edwards house from many years ago.

A fresh look at an old Acton home

June 21, 2024

by Kimberly E. B. Hurwitz

Monday evening, June 9th brought MIT Professor and Acton resident, David Hardt, to the Acton 250 Committee with a highly detailed and engrossing look into the ownership, construction, and history of one of Acton’s oldest homes. The Edwards house, located at 328 Pope Road on the Concord border,…

A Revolutionary-era white house with a center chimney. The main house is set on a hill and an ell on the left side has a small door that opens at a lower level.

1770s South Acton houses open on Sunday

May 24, 2024

by The Acton Exchange Team

On Sunday, May 26, the Iron Work Farm begins the 2024 season of regular open houses at their two South Acton house museums. The open houses comprise the first installment of the Acton 250th celebration of homes of the 1770s entitled, “Still Here: Houses of Our Patriots.” The…

Woman with gray hair proudly shows off the basketball page from her high school yearbook (circa 1955).

Actonians Remember: How We Got a Junior High Girls Basketball Team

April 27, 2024

by Peggy Hebert

It was September, 1950. I was so excited to be going from the sixth grade to junior high – a big step. The biggest reason was that I could play organized sports, especially basketball, my favorite sport. What a disappointment to find that there was no girls basketball…

A black cannon on a stand. The cannon has a large, ragged hole.

Military Maneuvers Foretell the American Revolution

April 27, 2024

by Kimberly E. B. Hurwitz

Tuesday, April 2 marked the fourth lecture in the Acton 250th series on events leading up to the American Revolution. Historian J.L. Bell presented a lesser-known piece of this history to an engaged audience at Town Hall and online through Zoom and ActonTV. Bell’s talk focused on military…

Program from the Modern Women in Acton’s History Month event

Acton Women Honored for Women’s History Month

April 12, 2024

by Kimberly E. B. Hurwitz

On Wednesday, March 20th, a Women’s History Month Celebration took place at the Acton Memorial Library to honor women who have played significant roles in shaping Acton’s contemporary history. Host Ann Chang greeted a packed audience, both in-person and online, to recognize the remarkable contributions of women who…

two people seated, facing away from a table

Backgrounder: The Acton Commission on Disabilities, a Short History

February 24, 2024

by Joan Burrows

When we first brought the idea of a commission on disabilities to the town manager in 1987, we were told that there were already too many committees and the Select Board could not find members to be liaisons. Well, both issues were quickly negated as we put out…

Photo of Acton 250 presentation and presentors.

A Revolution in the News with Historian Joseph Adelman

February 7, 2024

by Greg Jarboe

Looking forward to next year’s 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, the Acton 250 Committee is hosting a series of lectures by historians, looking back at what the community was like when our nation was born. The third lecture in the series, by Professor Joseph…

Original front entrance to the Acton Memorial Libray, the older brick building part.

A Historical Walk in Acton’s Center

January 17, 2024

by Kimberly E. B. Hurwitz

The Acton 250 Committee organized its third community event on December 17, a historical walk through the heart of Acton Center. Amy Cole, a local tour guide, historian, and Acton resident, led the walk that explored significant landmarks and shared the rich history embedded in the town center…

Boston Civil Rights Pioneer Jean McGuire Speaks at 22nd Acton Martin Luther King Breakfast

January 17, 2024

by Bob Van Meter

Congregation Beth Elohim and its social justice committee Na’aseh hosted Acton’s 22nd Annual Martin Luther King Breakfast on Monday morning for over one hundred participants in person and over forty more via zoom.…

A Look at the Daily Life of Massachusetts Colonists, with Special Emphasis on Acton

November 20, 2023

by Kimberly E. B. Hurwitz

On November 13, Acton’s 250 Committee welcomed Dr. Mary Fuhrer as the second speaker in events organized around Acton’s participation in the American Revolution. Dr. Fuhrer, a noted historian who focuses her studies on Colonial New England, is an Acton resident and holds a B.A. from Princeton, an…

A group of people gathered around an old-style school desk

“Acton’s Schools Then and Now” at the Hosmer House

October 30, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

The Acton Historical Society (AHS) hosted its monthly Open House at the Hosmer House Museum on Saturday afternoon, October 21, and visitors had a chance to view the new exhibit, “Acton’s Schools, Then and Now.” Also on display was a poster project by two 2023 Acton Boxborough Regional…

After Hours Archaeology Tour for Pine Hawk Friends

October 23, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

On Sunday, October 15, seven Friends of Pine Hawk members traveled to the Robbins Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology in Middleborough, home of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society and a collection of 200,000+ cultural items. This after-hours tour of the museum was led by Greg Lott and Judi Macioci.…

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History

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

Old church to get new steeple

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

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

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

Friends of Pine Hawk takes a field trip to Hockomock Swamp

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

Acton 250: Robbins Ride reenactment draws a crowd

Acton 250: Acton Minutemen and followers march to Concord

A fresh look at an old Acton home

1770s South Acton houses open on Sunday

Actonians Remember: How We Got a Junior High Girls Basketball Team

Military Maneuvers Foretell the American Revolution

Acton Women Honored for Women’s History Month

Backgrounder: The Acton Commission on Disabilities, a Short History

A Revolution in the News with Historian Joseph Adelman

A Historical Walk in Acton’s Center

Boston Civil Rights Pioneer Jean McGuire Speaks at 22nd Acton Martin Luther King Breakfast

A Look at the Daily Life of Massachusetts Colonists, with Special Emphasis on Acton

“Acton’s Schools Then and Now” at the Hosmer House

After Hours Archaeology Tour for Pine Hawk Friends

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