Upcoming Programs and Events
Programs are free and open to the public. Unless otherwise noted, they are held at the Society's headquarters at the Peter Rice Homestead at 377 Elm Street in Marlborough.
Upcoming programs are listed below. There is also a genealogy study group that meets every other week. When you sign up for our free e-mail newsletter, you'll receive notices of upcoming meetings and special events.
Pictures from other past events are here, and news coverage of some past programs and special events is here. Our last few years of programs are listed at the bottom of this page, and content from past meetings appears throughout the site.
The program published at the outset of the season is available here [PDF]. Important event details and updates are included in the descriptions below.
Seventies Night and Pot Luck Supper
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 – Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner begins at 7 p.m.
At the Peter Rice Homestead at 377 Elm Street
The Society kicks off a new year with our traditional potluck supper and a stroll down memory lane. Yearbooks, posters, and games will be among the many items on display from the years that gave us the first Earth Day, hip huggers, and Star Wars. DJ Ricky will be on hand to spin the tunes from the sensational Seventies.
Doors open at 6 p.m., so come listen to the music, browse the displays, and test your knowledge with several Seventies quizzes. The potluck dinner begins at 7 p.m. Please bring a dish to share. Paper products, coffee, and soft drinks will be provided by the Society. This event is free and open to the public.
Heritage Festival
Sunday, October 5, 2008 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On Main Street in downtown Marlborough
Stop by the Historical Society’s booth at Marlborough’s 13th Annual Heritage Festival to learn more about the Society.
Books, note cards, and calendars will be available. The Society's new 2008 - 2009 calendar includes many never before published photos of Marlborough’s past that show the many facets of life in Marlborough over the years, including the Wallace Garage, Robert Clarke’s Farm, the Otterson House, Tercentennial boys, an early parade at Middlesex Square, St. Ann Academy’s 8th grade class of 1947, 1898 Horribles Parade, Fairview Farm, coal car accident on Florence St., the Union Club in 1898, the Good Old Days, and the Hunt sisters.
This event is free and open to the public.
Civil War America
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
At the Marlborough Senior Center at 250 Main Street
Early in the morning of April 12, 1861, Confederate gunners opened fire on Fort Sumter, a Union fort in Charleston harbor. After more than a day of shelling, Major Anderson surrendered the fort without suffering a single casualty. It was a bloodless opening to the bloodiest war in American history. Throughout the Civil War, Lincoln referred to the conflict as a “people’s war.” Join us as we discuss the War Between The States and the involvement of the people of Marlborough in this long struggle.
This event is free and open to the public.
Salute to Marlborough Veterans
The weekend before Veterans’ Day
We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by Marlborough Veterans with a special reception, which will include a display some rarely-seen items from the Society's archives as well as a special new gift (pictured below) covering hundreds of Marlborough residents who served during World War II.
Nancy Colena of New Hampshire donated this scrapbook, which her mother-in-law made using a copy of U.S. Camera magazine. Inside of it she had pasted 855 WWII service announcements that she clipped from the Marlborough Enterprise.
All are welcome at this special event.
Details, including times, will be announced in our newsletter and here on our site.
Christmas at the Farm - “A Festival of Trees”
Thanksgiving weekend
At the Peter Rice Homestead at 377 Elm Street
Join us the day after Thanksgiving and begin the holiday season with all the things you love at our annual Christmas at the Farm: holiday decorations, food, crafts, roaring fires, warm gingerbread, and hot beverages. This year’s celebration will include a “Festival of Christmas Trees” where you can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win one of several decorated trees on display throughout the Peter Rice Homestead.
Come and enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas with your friends and neighbors. There will be plenty of parking across the street from the Homestead , thanks Jon Delli Priscoli, the owner of the new building.
This event is open to the public. There is a nominal charge for the home baked goods and other items served.
Details, including times, will be announced in our newsletter and here on our web site.
Stories from Marlborough’s Attic
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 -- 7:30 p.m.
At the Peter Rice Homestead at 377 Elm Street
Spend an evening in the intimate setting of the Peter Rice Homestead as the Society welcomes the public to share reminiscences. Listen to short stories written by local talent as well as have the opportunity to join in the fun. Attendees are encouraged to share memories of their own in a friendly, informal, cozy atmosphere. Featured will be a reading of Ernest Howe’s “Memories of Marlborough.” Ernest (1876-1963) was born at Fairview Farm, but grew up around the corner on Bolton St.
This event is open to the public.
Lost Landmarks: “Williams Tavern”
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 -- 7:30 p.m.
At the Peter Rice Homestead at 377 Elm Street
Come and learn about one of the city’s important lost historic assets, Williams Tavern. If it were still standing, the tavern would be America’s oldest tavern. Bob Kane will explore the tavern’s history including previous owners - find out what famous person’s ancestors owned and operated the Tavern very successfully. Learn how the Tavern operated from the 1600s to its end. Find out why there is very little information or artifacts from the Tavern. Hear about the famous visitors to the Tavern. Find out why the Tavern fell on hard times in the last days of its life.
This event is open to the public.
Meet Marlborough’s Authors
Monday, March 23, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
In the Bigelow Auditorium in the Marlborough Public Library at 35 West Main Street
The Society teams up with the Marlborough Public Library to discover Marlborough’s published authors. This is a special opportunity to meet and learn about writers who have called Marlborough home. Join us for stimulating conversation followed by refreshments.
The list of authors who will appear will be published here in early 2009.
This event is open to the public.
Annual Membership Meeting and Birthday Celebration
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 -- 7:30 p.m .
At the Peter Rice Homestead at 377 Elm Street
Join us as we celebrate our 44th birthday. The cake, ice cream and gifts will be on us. Everyone in attendance will be entered in a raffle for a door prize. Along with announcing this year’s scholarship winner and electing a new slate of officers, this evening will provide you with an opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions concerning the society.
This event is open to the public.
New England Historic Homes Weekend
May 2009
Following last spring’s popular historic homes tour and tea, we’re planning a special event for present and future owners of historic homes, as well as those interested in learning more about these homes in Marlborough and throughout New England.
In the coming months we’ll announce details in our monthly newsletter and on our site.
Made in Marlborough: From Marlborough Wire Goods to Renaissance Lofts
Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
At Renaissance Lofts at 409 Lincoln Street
On this evening we will tour Renaissance Lofts and hear about its transformation from Marlboro Wire Goods - to Space Age Electronics - to artist lofts, in this inaugural Made in Marlborough event. We’ll meet at 7:30 p.m. at 409 Lincoln Street, which has ample parking directly across the street.
This event is open to the public.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 – Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner begins at 7 p.m.
At the Peter Rice Homestead at 377 Elm Street
The Society kicks off a new year with our traditional potluck supper and a stroll down memory lane. Yearbooks, posters, and games will be among the many items on display from the years that gave us the first Earth Day, hip huggers, and Star Wars. DJ Ricky will be on hand to spin the tunes from the sensational Seventies.
Doors open at 6 p.m., so come listen to the music, browse the displays, and test your knowledge with several Seventies quizzes. The potluck dinner begins at 7 p.m. Please bring a dish to share. Paper products, coffee, and soft drinks will be provided by the Society. This event is free and open to the public.
Heritage Festival
Sunday, October 5, 2008 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On Main Street in downtown Marlborough
Stop by the Historical Society’s booth at Marlborough’s 13th Annual Heritage Festival to learn more about the Society.
Books, note cards, and calendars will be available. The Society's new 2008 - 2009 calendar includes many never before published photos of Marlborough’s past that show the many facets of life in Marlborough over the years, including the Wallace Garage, Robert Clarke’s Farm, the Otterson House, Tercentennial boys, an early parade at Middlesex Square, St. Ann Academy’s 8th grade class of 1947, 1898 Horribles Parade, Fairview Farm, coal car accident on Florence St., the Union Club in 1898, the Good Old Days, and the Hunt sisters.
This event is free and open to the public.
Civil War America
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
At the Marlborough Senior Center at 250 Main Street
Early in the morning of April 12, 1861, Confederate gunners opened fire on Fort Sumter, a Union fort in Charleston harbor. After more than a day of shelling, Major Anderson surrendered the fort without suffering a single casualty. It was a bloodless opening to the bloodiest war in American history. Throughout the Civil War, Lincoln referred to the conflict as a “people’s war.” Join us as we discuss the War Between The States and the involvement of the people of Marlborough in this long struggle.
This event is free and open to the public.
Salute to Marlborough Veterans
The weekend before Veterans’ Day
We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by Marlborough Veterans with a special reception, which will include a display some rarely-seen items from the Society's archives as well as a special new gift (pictured below) covering hundreds of Marlborough residents who served during World War II.
Nancy Colena of New Hampshire donated this scrapbook, which her mother-in-law made using a copy of U.S. Camera magazine. Inside of it she had pasted 855 WWII service announcements that she clipped from the Marlborough Enterprise.
All are welcome at this special event.
Details, including times, will be announced in our newsletter and here on our site.
Christmas at the Farm - “A Festival of Trees”
Thanksgiving weekend
At the Peter Rice Homestead at 377 Elm Street
Join us the day after Thanksgiving and begin the holiday season with all the things you love at our annual Christmas at the Farm: holiday decorations, food, crafts, roaring fires, warm gingerbread, and hot beverages. This year’s celebration will include a “Festival of Christmas Trees” where you can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win one of several decorated trees on display throughout the Peter Rice Homestead.
Come and enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas with your friends and neighbors. There will be plenty of parking across the street from the Homestead , thanks Jon Delli Priscoli, the owner of the new building.
This event is open to the public. There is a nominal charge for the home baked goods and other items served.
Details, including times, will be announced in our newsletter and here on our web site.
Stories from Marlborough’s Attic
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 -- 7:30 p.m.
At the Peter Rice Homestead at 377 Elm Street
Spend an evening in the intimate setting of the Peter Rice Homestead as the Society welcomes the public to share reminiscences. Listen to short stories written by local talent as well as have the opportunity to join in the fun. Attendees are encouraged to share memories of their own in a friendly, informal, cozy atmosphere. Featured will be a reading of Ernest Howe’s “Memories of Marlborough.” Ernest (1876-1963) was born at Fairview Farm, but grew up around the corner on Bolton St.
This event is open to the public.
Lost Landmarks: “Williams Tavern”
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 -- 7:30 p.m.
At the Peter Rice Homestead at 377 Elm Street
Come and learn about one of the city’s important lost historic assets, Williams Tavern. If it were still standing, the tavern would be America’s oldest tavern. Bob Kane will explore the tavern’s history including previous owners - find out what famous person’s ancestors owned and operated the Tavern very successfully. Learn how the Tavern operated from the 1600s to its end. Find out why there is very little information or artifacts from the Tavern. Hear about the famous visitors to the Tavern. Find out why the Tavern fell on hard times in the last days of its life.
This event is open to the public.
Meet Marlborough’s Authors
Monday, March 23, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
In the Bigelow Auditorium in the Marlborough Public Library at 35 West Main Street
The Society teams up with the Marlborough Public Library to discover Marlborough’s published authors. This is a special opportunity to meet and learn about writers who have called Marlborough home. Join us for stimulating conversation followed by refreshments.
The list of authors who will appear will be published here in early 2009.
This event is open to the public.
Annual Membership Meeting and Birthday Celebration
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 -- 7:30 p.m .
At the Peter Rice Homestead at 377 Elm Street
Join us as we celebrate our 44th birthday. The cake, ice cream and gifts will be on us. Everyone in attendance will be entered in a raffle for a door prize. Along with announcing this year’s scholarship winner and electing a new slate of officers, this evening will provide you with an opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions concerning the society.
This event is open to the public.
New England Historic Homes Weekend
May 2009
Following last spring’s popular historic homes tour and tea, we’re planning a special event for present and future owners of historic homes, as well as those interested in learning more about these homes in Marlborough and throughout New England.
In the coming months we’ll announce details in our monthly newsletter and on our site.
Made in Marlborough: From Marlborough Wire Goods to Renaissance Lofts
Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
At Renaissance Lofts at 409 Lincoln Street
On this evening we will tour Renaissance Lofts and hear about its transformation from Marlboro Wire Goods - to Space Age Electronics - to artist lofts, in this inaugural Made in Marlborough event. We’ll meet at 7:30 p.m. at 409 Lincoln Street, which has ample parking directly across the street.
This event is open to the public.