Bedford Historical Society, Bedford, MA

02/07/2026

This is an in-person event held at Bedford's Old Town Hall, 16 South Road, Bedford.

The Reverend and the Old North Bridge Battle
📍 Hosted by the Bedford Historical Society
📅 March 22, 2026
⏰ 2:00 to 4:00 pm
🎟 Free

Reenactor Henry Cooke brings to life Rev. William Emerson and the charged weeks leading up to the Battle of the Old North Bridge. From Emerson’s fiery Muster Day sermon to the uneasy morning when neighbors watched war unfold, this program sits right at the moment where belief, fear, and resolve collide.

Doors open at 2 pm for a social hour and refreshments
Program begins at 2:15 pm

01/27/2026

A Journey to Find an Ancestor and Honor His Faith in Diversity
📅 02.22.26 | 2:00 pm–4:00 pm
🎟️ Free
🏛️ Presented by the Bedford Historical Society

While researching her Revolutionary War ancestor General John Glover, Lexington resident Jane Woolsey Gropp uncovered the story of the Marbleheaders—fishermen and sailors from Marblehead whose grit and seamanship shaped key moments of the American Revolution.

They were also the first integrated military unit in America, made up of white sailors, free African Americans, and Native Americans. Men who fought for liberty long before liberty fought for them.

Gropp originally set out to commission a painting of Glover alone. Instead, she helped bring An Appeal to Heaven into being—a work honoring both a nearly forgotten general and the Black Patriots whose bravery history too often erased. In recognition of Black History Month, Gropp will share the journey behind the painting, the interwoven relationships depicted within it—including Washington and one of his enslaved men—and the Black Patriots who secured freedoms they themselves would not live to fully claim.

🕑 Doors open at 2 PM for a social period and refreshments
🕝 2:15 PM – Brief Society announcements followed by the guest talk

This event is free and open to the public. Come sit with the truth. It still matters.

01/27/2026

Due to clean-up from the snowstorm, the Bedford Historical Society office and museum will be closed today. We appreciate your understanding.

01/05/2026

📢 Office & Museum Closure Notice

Please note that the Bedford Historical Society office and museum will be closed from Monday, January 5 to Saturday, January 10. We will resume our regular schedule on Sunday, January 11. Thank you for your understanding!

12/16/2025

Stop in today to pick up your holiday gifts. We're open until 5:00 today!

We'll be closed on Thursday, 12/18, and open on 12/19, 12/21, and 12/23.

12/07/2025

Looking for meaningful holiday gifts? 🎁
The Bedford Historical Society offers a wide selection of merchandise — Bedford flags, local history books, apparel, collectibles, and more.

Visit our gift shop on the ground floor of Old Town Hall, 16 South Road.
Hours:
• Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Sundays: 2–4 p.m.
(Weather and staffing permitting.)

Every purchase supports the preservation of Bedford’s history. Shop local, find something special, and help keep our community’s stories alive!

10/11/2025

The NERGC - New England Regional Genealogical Conference is great for all levels of experience, from beginner to advanced. Online registration closes on October 17th.

October 17 is the last day to register online for the 18th New England Regional Genealogical Conference (NERGC), “New Englanders – Here, There, and Everywhere,” which will be held Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Manchester. Onsite registration for the main conference...

10/06/2025

📣 Last call! Online registration for the 18th New England Regional Genealogical Conference (NERGC 2025) closes October 17!

Join us October 29–November 1 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Manchester, NH, for four days of genealogy learning, networking, and fun.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you’ll enjoy 70+ sessions and workshops on topics including DNA, immigration, military and land records, social history, AI in genealogy, and ethnic research—including sessions focused on Irish, French-Canadian, African American, and Jewish ancestry.

🎟️ On-site registration will be available Oct. 30–Nov. 1 (if tickets remain).
👉 Learn more and register now at www.nergc.org

06/24/2025

Looking for something meaningful to do with the kids this summer? 🌞📚
Our new exhibit, “Bedford Answers the Call,” is the perfect outing—full of stories about real people from Bedford who took part in the first battle of the American Revolution.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for families and school-age kids!
🕰️ New Summer Hours (thru Aug 31):
Sun 2–4 PM | Tue & Thu 10–5 | Fri 10–2
📍 16 South Rd (rear entrance of Old Town Hall)
🆓 Free and open to all