The Gore Roll: a talk with Brenton Simons

The Gore Roll of Arms, the earliest known collection of heraldic arms in America, was the work of Christopher Gore’s father, John Gore (1718–1796). John Gore ran a paint shop in Boston and did fine decorative painting on coaches for the elite of Boston. The Gore Roll includes pen, ink, and watercolor arms for New England’s most prominent families, including the Winthrops, Saltonstalls, Brattles, and Winslows. Studied by many, a copy was created by Isaac Child in 1847. The original remained in the possession of the Gore family until it was lost in 1865. Boston physician and heraldic scholar Dr. Harold Bowditch helped to secure and donate the original to the New England Historic Genealogical Society. This new publication brings together for the first time a facsimile of the original Gore Roll as well as the 1847 Child and a 1926 Harold Bowditch copies. The publication is enriched by scholarly commentary, including an introduction by D. Brenton Simons, OBE. Brenton Simons is President Emeritus and Chief Stewardship Officer of the New England Historic Genealogical Society (<a href="https://americanancestors.org/">AmericanAncestors.org</a>). He is an author, historian, and genealogist. In this illustrated talk, Brenton will tell the story of John Gore’s remarkable book, its disappearance, and rediscovery.

Gore Place

Gently-used Book Sale

Friday, March 20 from 4 to 8 pm and Saturday, March 21 from 9 am to 1 pm Book lovers can buy gently-used books at bargain prices ($2 for paperbacks, $5 for most hardcovers) during the sale. The event will be held in the Carriage House at Gore Place. You can donate books too! We can accept donated books from March 1 through March 13. To arrange a drop-off time, please email <a href="mailto:events@goreplace.org">events@goreplace.org</a>. No CDs or DVDs, please! WEBSITE: <a href="https://goreplace.org/whats-on/gently-used-book-sale">https://goreplace.org/whats-on/gently-used-book-sale</a>

Devil's in the Details: the history and mystery of the Gore Place wallcoverings

Do you love design details and perhaps a little mystery? Come take a tour of the mansion and learn about the history of our wallcoverings plus the challenges involved in antique wallpaper reproduction.&nbsp;We’ll examine Gore Place’s original “painted papers” as well as some of the vibrant wallpapers that have been removed and preserved in our collections room.&nbsp;We’ll discuss the poisons that made antique wallpaper so vivid, view photographs of the mansion at the turn of the 20th century and explore the curious origins of our Devil’s Wallpaper.&nbsp;

Music in the Mansion: Harp Concert

Join us in the Withdrawing Room of the Mansion for a special harp concert by internationally acclaimed harpist Lily Neill. Entitled The Story of the Harp, Neill's performance will explore the music of one of the world’s best loved instruments. Every corner of the world seems to have its version of the&nbsp;harp, and the instrument’s history is at once rich and mysterious. She will take listeners on an adventure that embraces the&nbsp;harp’s history and explores its various incarnations and versatility—with fun facts and a few&nbsp;harp&nbsp;stories along the way! Lily Neill has captivated audiences around the world with the dynamism and breadth of her performances, and her infectious passion for the harp.&nbsp;Her versatility and command as a solo performer has seen her amass an impressive number of awards, and recognition from everyone from presidents and world leaders, to legendary Irish band, “The Chieftains”.&nbsp;With a signature repertoire of original compositions, alongside an eclectic mix of ragtime, traditional music, tangos, and early music, Neill’s innovative flair is thrilling.&nbsp;Put aside everything you ever thought you knew about the harp and open your ears to the wealth of sound that two hands and thirty strings can conjure!&nbsp; Tickets are limited! Don't miss your chance to hear this unique performance!

Music, tea and biscuits with Mrs. Wilberforce

Come early (2:30 pm) and enjoy some tea, biscuits and good company! The beautifully restored (and heated!) 1793 Carriage House is the perfect venue for down-home music and socializing! Enjoy an afternoon of beautiful traditional music from the british Isles and beyond with Mrs. Wilberforce. Come early and enjoy some tea, biscuits and good company! The beautifully restored (and heated!) 1793 Carriage House is the perfect venue for music and socializing! The duo of Kyra Davies (fiddle, viola, and vocals) and Sean Smith (guitar, bouzouki, tenor banjo, and vocals) play music from Ireland, Scotland and Cape Breton – but also further afield, like Shetland, Brittany and Galicia – bringing out the distinctive qualities of each tune or song for the enjoyment of their audiences. This will be a lovely way to kick of the Saint Patrick Day season (yes, it's a season here!). Come early and enjoy some tea and biscuits.This program takes place in the Carriage House at Gore Place. Parking is free. Cost: $21 General Admission, $19 Member, $16 Students (and ages 16 and under), $5 Card to Culture TICKETS: <a href="https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=312031">https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=312031</a>

Puppet Playtime

Come join Good News Gus and his puppet pals for songs, stories, and puppet shenanigans in our Carriage House!&nbsp;This interactive puppet show is both&nbsp;fun&nbsp;and&nbsp;funny; you’ll be in stitches by the end! The sessions are recommended for 3 and 4-year-olds, but all are welcome.

Music, tea and biscuits with the Ruth and Ben String Band

Come early (2:30 pm) and enjoy some tea, biscuits and good company! The beautifully restored (and heated!) 1793 Carriage House is the perfect venue for down-home music and socializing! Enjoy an afternoon of "high-energy, old-time music" with the Ruth and Ben String Band. The beautifully restored (and heated!) 1793 Carriage House is the perfect venue for down-home music and socializing! Led by guitarist&nbsp;Ruth Rappaport&nbsp;and her fiddler son,&nbsp;Ben Wetherbee,&nbsp;this intergenerational band's repertoire includes rousing, powerful old-time fiddle tunes and traditional, modern, and original songs that feature tight harmony singing. They are very spirited and people of all ages love their enthusiastic and innovative music. Ruth played for many years in the eclectic string band The Poodles, and Ben has made a mark for himself as a popular old-time, roots rock, and alt music fiddler. The string band is rounded out by Joel Wennerstrom on clawhammer banjo and Gian Criscitiello on upright bass. BAND WEBSITE is&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ruthandbenstringband.com/">http://www.ruthandbenstringband.com</a>

Come join Good News Gus and his puppet pals for songs, stories, and puppet shenanigans at our Carriage House!&nbsp;This interactive puppet show is both&nbsp;fun&nbsp;and&nbsp;funny; you’ll be in stitches by the end! The sessions are recommended for 3 and 4-year-olds, but all are welcome.

Who was Rebecca Gore? An evening tour

Join an evening tour of the 1806 mansion at Gore Place in Waltham entitled “Who Was Rebecca Gore?” This guide-led tour will tell the story of the remarkable woman who designed the 1806 Gore Mansion. Along the way, you’ll marvel at the graceful curves of the Great Stair, Oval Withdrawing Room, Peacock Parlor, Great Hall, and Billiard Room. The style and quality of the furnishings, the many Boston-built pieces, and the personal touches make this one of the great New England house tours. Climbing stairs is required to view the second floor. Capacity is limited. Cost: $21 General Admission, $19 Gore Place Members, $5 Card to Culture

Living in the Dark: life before the electric light

Living In the Dark: life before the electric light Friday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m. What was life like before the electric light? Find out on an evening visit to the 1806 mansion at Gore Place. You’ll see the graceful Great Stairs, the lovely Oval Withdrawing Room, the Peacock Parlor, the Great Hall, bed chambers, sitting rooms, and more. Along the way, your guide will tell stories about living by candlelight and point out the many devices used to light the house in the early 1800s. The style and quality of the furnishings, the many Boston-built pieces, and the personal touches make this one of New England’s best historic house tours. Cost: $21 General Admission, $16 Members, $5 Card to Culture

Music for the Holly Days

Waltham's own Moody Street String Band will offer traditional tunes to ring in the holidays! Don't miss what has become a Gore Place tradition! The concert will take place in the 1793 Carriage House.

John Muratore Holiday Concert

Acclaimed guitarist John Muratore will perform a special holiday program in the beautiful 1793 Carriage House at Gore Place. The Boston Globe has called John's playing "...aural iridescence..." and the Boston Musical Intelligencer has called him "one of greater Boston’s most gifted guitar virtuosos." $21 General Admission, $19 Members, $5 Card to CulturParking is free.

Chamber Pot Tour

On Friday, November 21&nbsp;at&nbsp;7:00 p.m., Join an expert guide for a moonlight tour of the 1806 Mansion at Gore Place. You’ll see the graceful Great Stairs, the lovely Oval Withdrawing Room, the Peacock Parlor, the Great Hall, the bedchambers, sitting rooms, and more. The theme of the tour will be&nbsp;“Chamber Pots and Hygiene in the early 19th century,”&nbsp;a quirky but fascinating subject! The style and quality of the furnishings, the many Boston-built pieces, and the fabulous personal touches make this one of New England’s best historic house tours. Gore Place is located at 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA 02453. We have ample free parking! If you or someone in your group needs an accommodation to more fully participate in this event, please contact us before registering. Cost: $21 General Admission, $16 Members, $5 Card to Culture TICKETS: <a href="https://goreplace.org/whats-on/tour-chamber-pots-and-hygiene">https://goreplace.org/whats-on/tour-chamber-pots-and-hygiene</a>

Adam Hendey Carriage House Concert

A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Boston-based, multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer Adam Hendey has become one of the region’s most sought-after musical collaborators. Adam will take center stage with a program of beautiful traditional songs. Concert takes place in the 1793 Carriage House at Gore Place. Parking is free.

Handmade for the Holidays

Handmade for the Holidays Crafts Fair Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Rain or Shine. Presented by <a href="https://watertownmaculture.com/organization/gore-place/">Gore Place</a> at <a href="https://watertownmaculture.com/venue/carriage-house/">The Carriage House at Gore Place</a>, Waltham MA Join us in our Tent and Carriage House for a crafts fair of handmade goods. Handmade for the Holidays is back! Join us in our Tent and Carriage House for a crafts fair of handmade goods. The market is free and open to the public! With over 35 vendors, you can get your holiday shopping done early and feel good about supporting local artisans. And while you’re here, you can stroll the grounds of our beautiful 19th-century estate and visit our heritage breed sheep! We hope you join us for this celebration of handicraft. Phone: (781) 894-2798 Email: <a href="mailto:leahkotok@goreplace.org">leahkotok@goreplace.org</a> Website: <a href="https://goreplace.org/whats-on/handmade-for-the-holidays">https://goreplace.org/whats-on/handmade-for-the-holidays</a>

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

goreplace

Experiences

Gently-used Book Sale

Devil's in the Details: the history and mystery of the Gore Place wallcoverings

The Gore Roll: a talk with Brenton Simons

Music in the Mansion: Harp Concert

Music, tea and biscuits with Mrs. Wilberforce

Puppet Playtime

Music, tea and biscuits with the Ruth and Ben String Band

Puppet Playtime

Who was Rebecca Gore? An evening tour

Living in the Dark: life before the electric light

Music for the Holly Days

John Muratore Holiday Concert

Chamber Pot Tour

Adam Hendey Carriage House Concert

Handmade for the Holidays