Lyman Estate Volunteer Clean Up Day

Join us for an afternoon of outdoor spring cleaning at Historic New England’s Lyman Estate. We have partnered with the Waltham Land Trust to remove trash that has accumulated on the wooded south side of the property near the Waltham rail trail. Volunteers can enjoy a free tour of the property, light refreshments, and the satisfaction of a job well done. Supplies and instructions will be provided. Please meet in the Lyman Estate parking lot just past the mansion at 1:00 and we will walk over together. Latecomers can meet us on site at the corner of Lyman Street and the service road just before the rail trail (shown below). <img src="https://assets.historicnewengland.org/main/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/18091500/LYM-Clean-Up-Day.png"> The Lyman Estate is located at 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, Mass. The parking lot is just past the mansion with additional parking along the entrance road to the property. For more information about the program, please call 617-994-5912 or visit <a href="historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate/">HistoricNewEngland.org/Property/Lyman-Estate/</a>.

Lyman Estate

Tour The Otis House

Explore over 200 years of history at the foot of Boston’s iconic Beacon Hill neighborhood! Situated at 141 Cambridge Street, nestled beside the historic Old West Church, you’ll find the last surviving mansion in Bowdoin Square, the most luxurious neighborhood before Beacon Hill was constructed. This house was designed by Charles Bulfinch for the man who would become the 3rd mayor of Boston – Harrison “Harry” Gray Otis. Join us for guided tours every Friday through Sunday to learn about the rich lives of one of Boston’s wealthiest families in the Federal era. Discover how use of the home changed through the centuries and learn about the restoration this National Historic Landmark has undergone. Join our knowledgeable guides for an enlightening and entertaining tour of this beautiful mansion! Please note that the tours run approximately 45 minutes and involve standing, walking, and stairs. Chairs are stationed throughout the house, which is not air conditioned, but hand fans are available for free. Tours of only the first floor are available upon request. Accessibility Considerations:&nbsp;Tour involves a second floor only accessible by stairs and the house is not air-conditioned. Folding chairs can be provided for visitors upon request. Visitors with limited mobility may be able to enjoy a first floor tour of the house and grounds. &nbsp; &nbsp;Hours: 	April through August Friday – Sunday: 11am – 4pm 	Tours on the hour 	Closed April 5 and July 4 &nbsp; Admission Costs: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Adults: $15 	Students and Seniors: $13 	Youth (ages 6-12): $7 	EBT or SNAP (up to 4 tickets): $2 	Children (ages 0-5), HNE Members, and Boston Residents: Free

Otis House Museum

Lyman Estate Landscape Tour

Walk the rolling paths and garden trails of the 37-acre Lyman estate with us. Landscape and horticulture were always integral to the estate. This site was home to pleasure grounds, formal gardens, a working farm, greenhouses, and woodlands for over four generations of the Lyman family. See how the grounds have changed over time and explore that which has remained intact in spite of it.&nbsp; Member $15; Nonmember $20. The Lyman Estate is located at 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, Mass. The parking lot is just past the mansion with additional parking along the entrance road to the property. For more information about the program, please call 617-994-5912 or visit <a href="historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate/">HistoricNewEngland.org/Property/Lyman-Estate/</a>.

Life of a Laborer, a Working-Class History Tour

From cooking meals to operating a factory loom, laborers made the Lyman family’s life on a grand estate possible. Hundreds of workers were employed in occupations like gardeners, maids, and farm hands during the Lyman Estate’s 150+ years of operation. Thousands more held positions in industries that helped the family prosper financially, like the textile mills in Waltham and Holyoke that the Lyman’s invested in. Explore the working-class history of the Lyman Estate and visit areas of the house not usually on view during this specialty tour. Member $15; Nonmember $20 The Lyman Estate is located at 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, Mass. The parking lot is just past the mansion with additional parking along the entrance road to the property. For more information about the program, please call 617-994-5912 or visit <a href="historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate/">HistoricNewEngland.org/Property/Lyman-Estate/</a>.

Community on the Lawn at Browne House, Watertown

Enjoy live music and lawn games, chat with nearby organizations, and peruse the Watertown Free Public Library Bookmobile. Dive into the history of the city through an exploration of the oldest house in Watertown, spotlight talks, and more. Participating organizations include: <a href="http://historicalsocietyofwatertownma.org/HSW/">Historical Society of Watertown</a> <a href="https://www.watertown-ma.gov/688/Public-Arts-Culture">Watertown Public Arts &amp; Culture</a> <a href="https://watertowncitizens.org/working-groups/pigsgusset-initiative/">The Pigsgusset Initiative</a> <a href="https://goreplace.org/">Gore Place</a> <a href="https://www.charlesrivermuseum.org/">Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation</a> <a href="https://mountauburn.org/">Friends of Mount Auburn</a> and more!  Parking is available next door in the police station parking lot and along Main Street.

Browne House

Lyman Estate Working-Class History Tour

100 Years in 4 Objects: A Quick Tour of The Otis House

Short on time? Take a lunchtime break and discover the rich history of art and daily life from the 19th century in just 25 minutes. Perfect for both first-time visitors and longtime enthusiasts, this tour offers a fresh way to experience the Otis House Museum's timeless charm. Historic New England members $5;&nbsp;Nonmember $10. Please call (617) 994-5920 for more information.

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

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 🚨

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

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.

Where

hnemetroboston

Experiences

Lyman Estate Volunteer Clean Up Day

Tour The Otis House

Lyman Estate Landscape Tour

Life of a Laborer, a Working-Class History Tour

Lyman Estate Landscape Tour

Community on the Lawn at Browne House, Watertown

Lyman Estate Working-Class History Tour

100 Years in 4 Objects: A Quick Tour of The Otis House

Lyman Estate Working-Class History Tour

100 Years in 4 Objects: A Quick Tour of The Otis House

Lyman Estate Working-Class History Tour

Lyman Estate Working-Class History Tour

Lyman Estate Working-Class History Tour

Lyman Estate Landscape Tour

Lyman Estate Working-Class History Tour