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Calendar of Programs and Events throughout New England

For your convenience, you are now able to register for some Historic New England programs online. Please note that registration is NOT guaranteed until you receive a confirmation email, telephone call or letter from Historic New England. Registrations are processed in the order that they are received.

To begin:

  1. After identifying a program you wish to attend, please select the fare and number of persons you wish to register and then select the "Add to cart!" link. You will see your selections in the right hand column.
     
  2. If you would like to change your selection - use the up or down arrows next to the "quantity" field in the right hand column. You can also use the "remove" link under the line amount to remove the line completely.
     
  3. Once you have finished making your selection(s) please proceed to the check-out page by clicking on "place my order".

Please remember that registration is not guaranteed until you have received a confirmation email, telephone call or letter from Historic New England confirming your registration status.

If you would like to register by telephone please dial the telephone number listed within the individual program description. Telephone numbers vary depending on program location.


Listed by month

NOVEMBER:

The Awakened Eye
When: Saturday, November 1, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Where: Codman Estate, Lincoln, Mass.
Phone: 781-259-8098
Admission: $30 Historic New England members, $45 nonmembers
Please note: Registration required

Ati Gropius Johansen, daughter of Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius, leads a hands-on workshop to introduce Bauhaus principles. The workshop is designed to develop a new awareness of the visual world as taught at the famous Bauhaus school of design in the early twentieth century.

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Beginning Orchid Growing Workshop
When: Friday, November 7, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where: Lyman Estate Greenhouses, Waltham, Mass.
Phone: 781-891-4882, ext. 244
Admission: free to Garden and Landscape members, $30 Historic New England members, $36 nonmembers
Please note: Registration required

Learn the essentials of growing orchids, including requirements of growing media, light, water, temperature, and fertilization. With their long-lasting and showy blooms, orchids are one of the most beautiful and dramatic of all flowering plants. This popular course is taught by Lyman Estate horticulturist Lynn Ackerman, an accomplished orchid grower and member of the Orchid Society.


Behind The Canvas
When: Sunday, November 9, 3:00 p.m.
Where: Phillips House, Salem, Mass.
Phone: 978-744-0440
Admission: free to Historic New England members, $5 nonmembers
Please note: Registration recommended

As part of Destination Salem’s Arts and Antiques Month, the Phillips House offers a special tour highlighting paintings by American and European artists on display in the house. Learn about both the artists and the Phillips family’s passion for collecting.

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Getting Started in Genealogy
When: Saturday, November 15, 9;30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Governor John Langdon House, Portsmouth, N.H.
Phone: 617-227-3957, ext. 254
Admission: $45 Historic New England and NEHGS members, $55 nonmembers
Please note: Registration required

Each of us has a remarkable family story waiting to be discovered. Since 1845, the New England Historic Genealogical Society has provided expert resources and staff to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of families in America. Join NEHGS and Historic New England for a seminar that teaches basic techniques for exploring your family history. Learn strategies for using repositories and websites to locate vital record information, organizing a pedigree chart, and documenting your discoveries.

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Orchid Growing Clinic
When: Saturday, November 15, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Lyman Estate Greenhouses, Waltham, Mass.
Phone: 781-891-4882, ext. 244
Admission: $10 for up to three orchids

Bring up to three orchid plants for evaluation by experienced horticulturists. Get advice on maintaining healthy blooming plants. Other services offered include repotting and educational hand-outs about orchids. Books, pots, and growing supplies are for sale.


Holiday Fine Art and Gift Sale
When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 28, 29, 30th 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Newbury, Mass.
Phone: 978-462-2634
Admission: free

Spend the days after Thanksgiving at the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury. Tour the c. 1690 manor house, take a wagon ride through the fields, and pick up the perfect present from a selection of fine art and gifts, including artwork from members of the Newburyport Art Association. Visit with Socrates the turkey and all the farm animals. Enjoy hot cider and seasonal treats, browse through books and unusual gifts. Hundreds of items at up to 60% off, including toys, books, gift items, jewelry, and crafts.


DECEMBER:

Christmas Centerpiece Workshop
When: Friday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where: Lyman Estate Greenhouses, Waltham, Mass.
Phone: 781-891-4882, ext. 244
Admission: $25 Garden and Landscape members, $30 Historic New England members, $36 nonmembers
Please note: Registration required

Make a beautiful centerpiece for the Christmas season with fragrant florals and greens that can be refreshed throughout the season. All materials are provided.

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Home for the Holidays
When: Friday, December 5, 5:00 -8:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 6, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Sarah Orne Jewett House, South Berwick, Me.
Phone: 207-384-2454
Admission: free

During South Berwick's Home for the Holidays weekend, be sure to come to the Sarah Orne Jewett House for a special open house and museum gift shop. New this year, the first floor of the house is open to visitors and will feature a display of Jewett family Christmas cards. Browse in the special holiday shop for many attractive gift items, including redware pottery, glassware, books, and stationery


Merwin Open House
When: Saturday, December 6, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Merwin House, Stockbridge, Mass.
Phone: 413-298-4703
Admission: free

Don’t miss your chance to see the c.1825 Merwin House decorated for the holiday season. Enjoy a free tour of the first floor of this handsome brick structure, which dates from the late Federal period. Held in conjunction with the Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas celebration.


The Becket Girls’ Tree
When: Saturday, December 6, 10:00 a.m
Where: Sarah Orne Jewett House, South Berwick, Me.
Phone: 207-384-2454
Admission: $2 per child
Please note: registration required

Enjoy a special children's program, the reading of Jewett’s 1884 Christmas story, The Becket Girls’ Tree, in the breakfast room of the Jewett House. After story time, children will make simple Victorian ornaments and use them to decorate a tree, much like the one described in the story, on the side lawn of the Jewett House. Light refreshments will be served.


Holiday Gift Sale
When: Saturday and Sunday, December 6 - 7, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: Gropius House, Lincoln, Mass.
Phone: 781-259-8098
Admission: free

This sale is an opportunity for Gropius enthusiasts to purchase unique merchandise at the Gropius House gift shop. Genuine Gropius jade plants (from cuttings of the jade plant that grew in the sewing nook in the house), books on the Bauhaus style, out-of-print books, t-shirts, and other Gropius and Historic New England-related merchandise are available at special discount prices.


The Bowen's 1887 Christmas Celebration
When: Sunday, December 7, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Roseland Cottage, Woodstock, Conn.
Phone: 860-928-4074
Admission: free

This annual Christmas program highlights decorations based upon the Bowens' 1887 written account of their Christmas celebration in New York. Enjoy first floor tours of the house and holiday music and readings from Dickens's A Christmas Carol.

Appointments can also be made for special group tours through January 10, for a fee of $5 per person.


Holiday Sale
When: Saturday, December 13, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Governor John Langdon House, Portsmouth, N.H.
Phone: 603- 436-3205
Admission: free

Stop at the Langdon House for a refreshing break from expected holiday shopping. Historic New England and the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, an organization that promotes awareness and conservation of the marine environment, will provide distinctive gifts and organizational information in the mansion's Reception Room. While you shop, enjoy warm refreshments.


First Night Tours
When: Wednesday, December 31, 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Otis House Museum, Boston, Mass.
Phone: 617-227-3957, ext. 256
Admission: free with First Night button

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the Otises. Experience the elegant life of one of Boston's leading families just after the Revolution. Visit the home of Harrison Gray Otis and Sally Foster Otis illuminated for a New Year's Eve celebration. Tour the first floor of this elegant mansion, built in 1796. Refreshments available after 5:00 p.m.


JANUARY:

Gadgets and Gizmos—A Look at Early Twentieth-Century Kitchen Technology
When: Sundays, January 11, February 8, and March 8, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where: Phillips House, Salem, Mass.
Phone: 978-744-0440
Admission: $5 Historic New England members, $10 nonmembers
Please note: Registration recommended

What are those odd-looking gadgets in the kitchen? Who made them? How do you use them? Learn how these tools made kitchen work easier for the domestic staff at the Phillips House. This special tour focusing on domestic technology is part of Historic New England's Year of the Kitchen.

To register please select:    - 
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Winter Weekends
When: When: Saturdays, January 17 - February 28, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Where: Phillips House, Salem, Mass.
Phone: 978-744-0440
Admission: $5 Historic New England members, $8 nonmembers, $7 students/seniors, $6 children
Please note: Registration recommended

Follow the Phillips family on a wintery jaunt around New England. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies while viewing film clips of the family engaged in their favorite winter activities. Tour the House and see Phillips family items, such as sporting equipment, postcards, photographs, and artwork, not usually on display.


FEBRUARY:

Camellia Blooming Season
When: Monday, February 9 through Sunday, March 8, 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Where: Lyman Estate Greenhouses, Waltham, Mass.
Phone: 781-891-4882, ext. 244
Admission: free

For a post-holiday treat, visit the celebrated collection of camellias in the 1804 camellia house at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses. The Lyman Estate trees are historic survivals - many of them over a hundred years old - and this is the time of year when the trees put forth a profusion of blossoms in all sizes and shapes. Other plants available during this season include orchids, citrus, and sweet olives. Receive a $5 discount when you purchase a Historic New England Garden & Landscape membership at the greenhouses during the month of February.


Love Letters of the Phillips Family
When: Friday, February 13, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Phillips House, Salem, Mass.
Phone: 978-744-0440
Admission: $3 Historic New England members, $5 nonmembers
Please note: Registration recommended

Enjoy a glimpse into the love life of five generations of the Phillips family. Listen to readings of letters exchanged over the course of courtship and marriage and learn about the deeper history of a prominent New England family. Refreshments included. Space is limited.

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MARCH:

The Phillips Collection at the Peabody Essex Museum
When: Sunday, March 1, 1:00 p.m.
Where: Phillips House and Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Mass.
Phone: 978-744-0440
Admission: $15 Historic New England members, $20 nonmembers
Please note: Registration recommended

Stephen Henry Phillips and his son, Stephen Willard Phillips, both had strong ties to Hawaii and an interest in Oceanic cultures. Their collection of hundreds of books, pamphlets, and objects was donated to the Peabody Essex Museum. Learn how this prominent Salem family added to one of the greatest Oceanic and maritime collections in the nation. The tour starts at the Phillips House and includes a special tour of the Peabody Essex Museum.

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Bridge Lessons
When: Mondays, March 3 - 31, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Phillips House, Salem, Mass.
Phone: 978-744-0440
Admission: $60 Historic New England members, $70 nonmembers
Please note: registration recommended

You too can be an avid bridge player, like Anna Phillips, who lived at the Phillips House in the early twentieth century. Learn the basics of bridge with accredited instruction from Harriet Leavitt. Lessons range from the beginner to intermediate level. Practice time and light refreshments follow. Books on bridge are for sale on the first night. Space is limited.

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The Irish Experience at the Phillips House
When: Friday, March 13, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 14, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where: Phillips House, Salem, Mass.
Phone: 978-744-0440
Admission: $5 Historic New England members, $10 nonmembers
Please note: Registration recommended

Find out about the daily lives of the Phillips family’s Irish domestic staff, their daily duties, and living conditions. Learn about their interactions with family members and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at where the “girls” lived in 1919. Space is limited.

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Ladies of the House
When: Saturday, March 28, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Otis House Museum, Boston, Mass.
Phone: 617-227-3957, ext. 256
Admission: $7 Historic New England members, $13 nonmembers
Please note: Registration required

Tour the house in a program based on the lives of women who lived here during the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Learn about the daily life and social expectations of women in three different eras: Sally Otis, wife of a wealthy congressman in 1800; Mrs. Mott, the celebrated ladies' physician who ran a medical practice in the 1830s; and four Civil War-era sisters who operated a boarding house business in the house. Light refreshments will be served.

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