Historic Newton

08/29/2026

Have you ever had apple pudding? This recipe for apple pudding comes from the 1935 edition of the Newtonville Women’s Club recipe book. Gaining popularity in the mid 19th century, women's clubs tackled social issues and fostered community. They published newsletters and journals, as well as partnered with advertisers to make handbooks and cookbooks. This recipe comes from Mrs. W. E. Leonard. What are you baking this fall?

08/26/2026

Join us for the "Newton 250 at East Parish Burying Ground" Walking Tour on Sunday, September 13th from 2:00 – 3:30pm.

In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of America, walk through the city’s oldest burying ground to see the final resting places of Newtonians who shaped the town at the time of the American Revolution. Learn about General Michael Jackson’s leadership at the battle of Lexington and Concord, how Timothy Jackson earned a commendation from George Washington, and Edward Durant’s participation in Newton’s Committee of Correspondence. We’ll also talk about the women, enslaved and free Africans, and Indigenous Peoples whose stories are less widely known but whose experiences are no less important. Please note that the majority of this walk will take place on unpaved, uneven terrain.

Walking tours are $10 for Historic Newton members and $15 for non-members. Register at https://events.humanitix.com/newton-250-walking-tour

08/24/2026

Maybe you’ve been to the Newton Centre Playground a hundred times, but have you thought about the way it used to be? Join us tomorrow to learn about the toboggan slide, tennis courts, archery range, and other forms of recreation that have taken place in the park over time. Link in bio to register!

08/23/2026

What would you put on your personal map of Newton? Tessa shares these great maps from our archival collection, drawn by Jesse Fewkes in 1906. Click the link in our bio to explore the Fewkes Family Collection.

08/22/2026

08/20/2026

It’s time for back to school shopping – what’s on your list this year? If you were a Newton student in the late 19th century, you might have purchased a “Scholar’s Companion.” These deluxe cases were often imported from Germany and could be used to hold pencils, chalk, and other writing implements. Some even came with their own ink container and a locking clasp.

08/18/2026

The squirrels and rabbits have been eating everything in our Three Sisters garden, but this squash survives! Fingers crossed no critters get to it before it’s ready to be picked. How are your garden veggies holding up? Hopefully better than ours!

08/16/2026

Come visit us at the Newton Farmer’s Market at Cold Spring Park! Answer trivia questions, play historic games, and chat with our staff. Plus check out some great local vendors. We’ll see you there!

08/14/2026

Meet Jessica, our new Collections Manager! Let us know in the comments if you have a question about her work or are curious to know more about any textiles in our collection.

08/13/2026

We love a good walking tour, so we couldn’t resist adding another to our summer season!

On August 25, take a morning stroll around Newton Centre Playground to learn about the park’s history, from the original Olmsted designs, to the nationally-ranked archery team, to the infamous toboggan slide, and everything in between. Link in bio to register!