History

Acton 250: Acton Minutemen and followers march to Concord

April 26, 2025
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 weather was about the most ideal they had ever seen. A former Boy Scout recalled that one year the wind and rain were deemed too dangerous and the marchers were bused for the last section. About three hundred people participated in the four-hour event this year, with many first-time walkers honoring the…
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
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
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…
Program from the Modern Women in Acton’s History Month event

Acton Women Honored for Women’s History Month

April 12, 2024
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…
Photo of Acton 250 presentation and presentors.

A Revolution in the News with Historian Joseph Adelman

February 7, 2024
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
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…
a group of people views an exibit

After Hours Archaeology Tour for Pine Hawk Friends

October 23, 2023
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.…
A speaker behind a podium and an aerial terrain map on a video screen.

Friends of Pine Hawk Kick Off Archaeology Month

October 9, 2023
On Thursday, October 5, more than thirty residents gathered in the Meeting Room of the Acton Memorial Library and online for the first event honoring this year’s Archaeology Month, hosted by Friends of Pine Hawk. The speaker, former Town of Acton Health Director, Doug Halley, presented “From Pine…
Woodlawn Cemetery Revolutionary War era tombstones

Revolutionary Gravestones Get a Facelift

October 2, 2023
Work is almost complete on the renovation of the Revolutionary War section of Woodlawn Cemetery in Acton. MKai Nalenz, President and Chief Conservator at Gravestone Services of New England, reports that he expects the work to be finished in mid-October. You might be lucky enough to see him…
View of East Acton Village Green

East Acton Village Green Commemoration

September 11, 2023
A crowd of about fifty people managed to attend the East Acton Village Green (EAVG) commemoration event on Saturday, September 9, despite downed trees, closed roads, and power outages around town caused by Friday afternoon’s storm. Select Board Chair Jim Snyder-Grant welcomed those gathered and provided opening remarks,…

India’s Independence Day Celebration

August 6, 2023
A crowd of about sixty gathered at Acton Town Hall on Sunday August 6, to commemorate the 77th Anniversary of India’s Independence Day. The event was organized by Acton Indian Americans and India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB), an organization that promotes civic leadership, community service, youth engagement,…
Bugles Across America attendees

Bugles Across America

August 6, 2023
Since September 2015, Acton residents have been gathering monthly at the Town Common for a monthly Bugles Across America service, a short memorial to those who lost their lives in service to our country. The service concludes with a live playing of “Taps” by two volunteer buglers. The…

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