South End Historical Society

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South End Historical Society The South End Historical Society was founded in 1966 to fight for the preservation of historic architecture in Boston's South End neighborhood.

Today, the SEHS continues preservation work, collects materials related to South End social history, architecture, and urban renewal, and assists researchers studying South End history. The SEHS also issues newsletters, holds programs and lectures, and leads walking tours. Open by appointment only.

******** Limited Space Available ************************ RSVP Required ************email: Admin@southendhistorical...
10/14/2026

******** Limited Space Available *********
*************** RSVP Required ************
email: [email protected]

Tonight! Join Russ Lopez and Alison Barnet, two well known South End authors, at the South End Historical Society (532 Mass Ave) at 6:00pm for a discussion on the role of place in their work.

Russ is the author of Provincetown Stories, a set of short stories set in Provincetown as well as the author of a history of the South End. Alison, whose writing on the South End stretches back to 1964 and the Franklin Square House, has authored five books about the neighborhood. The two will discuss how the neighborhood has influenced their work and share stories about their time here.

Four days until the South End House Tour! Get your discounted advance tickets here: www.southendhistoricalsociety.org/ho...
10/13/2026

Four days until the South End House Tour! Get your discounted advance tickets here: www.southendhistoricalsociety.org/housetour

After 4pm on Friday, October 16th, you will no longer be able to purchase advance tickets.



(Shown here is the poster from our 4th Tour.)

South End House Tour News!In addition to private homes, this year’s tour features two historic South End buildings – the...
10/09/2026

South End House Tour News!

In addition to private homes, this year’s tour features two historic South End buildings – the Children’s Art Centre and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross – that participants can visit.

Ticketholders will have the opportunity to learn more about the history of these two buildings by attending talks relating to each of them. Julia Glatfelter, artist, author, and former teacher at the Children’s Art Centre, worked with relatives of Charlotte Dempsey (the Director of the Children’s Art Centre from 1930-1971) to publish a book written by Charlotte about her time at the Centre. Julia will be talking about Dempsey’s book at the Children’s Art Centre at noon and again at 1:30pm. South End Historical Society Historian John Neale will be at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross speaking about the history of the cathedral at 11:00am and 3:00pm.

Purchase your advance tickets today!: https://www.southendhistoricalsociety.org/housetour/

******** Limited Space Available ************************ RSVP Required ************email: Admin@southendhistorical...
10/01/2026

******** Limited Space Available *********
*************** RSVP Required ************
email: [email protected]

Tonight! Join Thom Donovan at the South End Historical Society (532 Mass Ave) for a talk about the Chickering Piano Factory at 6:00pm.

Completed in 1854, the Chickering Piano Factory had five floors with a combined area of 206,000 square feet, making it the largest factory in America. Until the United States Capitol building was finished in 1865, it was also the largest building in America. At its peak, the factory employed 400 men and produced around 60 pianos a week.

Thom will talk about the building’s history as a factory in the 1800s making the some of the best instruments in the world, all the way through the late 1900s, when hundreds of artists took over the building.

********* Limited Space Available *********
*************** RSVP Required ************
email: [email protected]

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09/28/2026

South End Then & Now: 140 Worcester Street

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09/04/2026

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09/03/2026

South End Then & Now: 511 Columbus Avenue

The 57th Annual South End House House Tour is today! Tickets can be purchased at Sprogis & Neale Real Estate, 679 Tremo...
10/18/2025

The 57th Annual South End House House Tour is today! Tickets can be purchased at Sprogis & Neale Real Estate, 679 Tremont Street starting at 10 a.m.

The South End Historical Society House Tour is next Saturday - have you purchased your advance tickets yet? The House To...
10/11/2025

The South End Historical Society House Tour is next Saturday - have you purchased your advance tickets yet?

The House Tour is an inside look at restored and renovated homes in our historic neighborhood. It is a favorite of anyone interested in home design, architecture, restoration, history, or preservation. Participants are given a guidebook that includes descriptions of the private homes and a map so that they can design their own route or follow the suggested route.

Tickets for the House Tour are $30 in advance and are available at www.southendhistoricalsociety.org/housetour.

Tickets will also be available on the day of the Tour for $35 each at Sprogis & Neale Real Estate, 679 Tremont Street.

Address

532 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA
02118

Telephone

(617) 536-4445

Website

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