SOLD OUT – Big Dig Walking Tour: From the Central Artery to the Rose Kennedy Greenway

Join The West End Museum for a walking tour of the Big Dig’s triumphs and tribulations from the Central Artery to the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The Big Dig was an ambitious project, an engineering marvel, and a complicated solution to a complicated problem. From burying a highway under an active city to building the world’s first asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge, this tour will uncover how the Central Artery Project left its mark on Downtown Boston and beyond. Walk the streets of the West End and trace the path of Boston’s biggest urban planning project from the old central artery to the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Tours begin at the West End Museum. This program was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The West End Museum

Once Upon a Time in the South End: Book Talk with Alison Barnet

Join local author Alison Barnet for a trip down memory lane as she discusses her book Once Upon a Time in the South End. Originally moving into the South End in 1964 after her alma mater Boston University did not provide enough housing, Barnet has been getting to know the South End’s character and history ever since. The founding editor of the South End News, a former reporter for Neighborhood Network News, and the author of several books, Barnet offers a unique perspective and in-depth understanding of the South End over the last sixty plus years.  Join Barnet and The West End Museum to learn more about how urban renewal, gentrification, and neighborhood change has affected the South End and the people who have long called it home.  Books will be available for purchase at this event.

Free Admission @ WEM for Labor Day Weekend

Enjoy free admission to The West End Museum on September 5th and 6th to celebrate Labor Day Weekend. The West End Museum is dedicated to <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/archives/">collecting</a>, <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/archives/">preserving</a>, and <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/programs/">sharing</a> the history and culture of Boston’s West End Neighborhood. The history of the West End is one of continual change, American firsts, Boston innovations, and modern icons. The West End Museum celebrates the story of the neighborhood that led the way in Boston’s immigrant era, supporting thousands of the world’s “huddled masses” as they found their way from North End slums to the American Dream. By then, the West End had already produced America’s <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/history/era/west-boston/charles-bulfinch/">first native-born architect</a>, provided a home for free <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/history/era/west-boston/prince-hall/">Black citizens after the Revolution</a>, and led the way in the construction of <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/history/era/west-boston/the-many-faces-of-north-station/">railroads</a>, <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/exhibits/from-stagecoach-to-subway-the-west-end-street-railway/">electric street cars</a>, and so much more. The neighborhood changed dramatically after 1950. Two decades of Urban Renewal led to the clearing of more than half the neighborhood, and reinvention in its modern form. Today, we continue to collect West End artifacts, investigate stories of West End community and culture, and share those stories with the public through our programs and exhibitions. Experience all we have to offer FOR FREE Septmeber 5th and 6th. Last admission is 30 minutes before close. We will be closed September 7th.

West End Community Festival

Join neighbors, friends, and local organizations for an all ages block party in the West End! Celebrate community with the neighbors, businesses, and organizations that call this neighborhood home! Join us for a fun block party festival for all ages with activities including lawn games, trivia, crafts, information on our local library branch, round challah to celebrate the Jewish New Year, and other snacks! This event is hosted by The West End Community Center and The West End Musuem joined by The Museum of African American History, the West End Branch of the Boston Public Library, Age Strong, Equity Residential, and the West End Civic Association. Visit Blossom Court (area behind the West End Neighborhood Center) to learn about local organizations, meet your neighbors, and celebrate the fall! Admission is free and all are welcome! This event was made possible in part by the City of Boston’s Block Party Mini-Grant program.  Rain date: Sunday, September 13, 1pm

West End Neighborhood Center

Little Mister Victory Book Talk with David Kruh

Learn the story of the infant abandoned on Victory Day in 1945 and his daughter's quest to find out who he was. David Kruh, curator of “The Story of Boston’s BIG DIG” exhibit, returns to the West End Museum with a talk based on his newest book. Little Mister Victory tells the story of co-author Tina Drzal’s decades-long search for the woman who abandoned her father on VJ Day. Using cutting-edge DNA analysis and good-old-fashioned detective work (burrowing into newspaper archives, ecclesiastic, and government documents) they found the mother, along with a surprise; abandoning her newborn baby was not the most shocking act of her life. Little Mister Victory is also a story of America from the Second World War to today, of the many people who, whether by accident, curiosity, or in the performance of their jobs, touched the life of a helpless infant who would eventually be adopted, serve our country in Vietnam, marry, and raise a family. &nbsp; Additional information on the book may be found at <a href="http://littlemistervictory.com/">littlemistervictory.com</a> Books will be available for purchase at the event.&nbsp;

West End Story: Celebrating Community and the Music of Leonard Bernstein

Join the West End Museum for an unforgettable evening celebrating the timeless music of Leonard Bernstein, the brilliant composer, conductor, and Broadway legend whose music continues to inspire generations. From the dazzling streets of West Side Story to the heartfelt melodies of Candide, this lively musical program will feature the talented combo ensemble Josiah Reibstein and the Hubtones alongside dynamic vocalists Dan Gabel and Rhiannon Hurst performing some of Bernstein’s most beloved songs and showstoppers. Expect romance, rhythm, laughter, and soaring harmonies as we bring the spirit of Broadway and Boston together for one extraordinary night. This event will take place at the Hub Community Room, 52 Causeway Street.&nbsp; Presented in partnership with Queer History Boston and Crescendo Productions, with support from Boston Properties.&nbsp; This event has been generously supported by the exclusive sponsors of our queer history series MA 250 and Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

The Hub on Causeway Community Room

Paint, Sip & Spurs

Be inspired by cowboys of the vintage rodeos of old! Enjoy wine, crafting, and a good time with your favorite buckaroos. Celebrate the West End’s Rodeo history with this Western themed evening of wine and water colors.  The yearly rodeos at the Boston Garden might be a thing of the past, but the memories of cowboys, steers, and lassos are still here. Draw inspiration from vintage Rodeo materials pulled from The WEM’s collections. Enjoy a glass of wine while saying howdy to neighbors and friends, old and new.  Crafting supplies and wine will be provided.  This event is 21 and up. ID required, cowboy boots optional.

West End Community Clean-Up

Pick up your trash grabber and gloves and help keep the West End clean. Meet neighbors and spend the afternoon beautifying the neighborhood! Help clean up the West End! Spend an afternoon picking up litter, chatting with neighbors, and making the West End a more beautiful place. Join us to make the most of the weather and fill your hearts and trash bags.&nbsp; Sponsored by Equity Residential.&nbsp;

Footage Screening: 1988 Boston Pride March

Screen archival footage of Boston's 1988 Pride March. Plus: Routes of Pride presentation &amp; community gathering with snacks and crafts. Join The West End Museum and Queer History Boston for a special look at archival footage, community storytelling, and celebration. Watch a video documentation of the 1988 Boston Pride March in this casual event with snacks, 80s tunes, crafts, and community.  In 1988, Boston's Pride March took to the streets with speeches, music, and voices that shaped the movement. The theme of the year was “Rightfully Proud” and featured the symbol of queer liberation in Boston: The Lavender Rhino. This screening invites you to witness that moment, hear those voices, and connect with the local queer history of Boston. Before the screening, discuss the Routes of Pride — QHB’s poster from the 2000s exploring how Boston's Pride marches changed over the decades and why those shifts matter. What routes did they march? What do those changes tell us about the city's queer geography? Join us for a short talk unpacking this history. Bring your craft work in progress or use complimentary craft supplies in this informal screening and gathering. Thanks to our exclusive sponsors MA250 and the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce. This event is made possible in part by the Institutue of Museums and Library Services.

The Hub of the Gay Universe with Author Russ López

Learn the highs and lows of queer history in Boston and Provincetown in this fascinating book talk! Join author Russ López for an author talk centered around his work The Hub of the Gay Universe: An LGBTQ+ History of Boston, Provincetown, and Beyond.  Learn about the highs: the torrid romances of actress Charlotte Cushman, the glamorous nightlife of 1950s Boston, the great outpouring of happiness that accompanied the country's first same-sex marriages. Understand the tragedies: murders of trans women and gay men, the terrible waves of repression of the 1920s, and the devastation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This talk is part of our programming related to our special exhibition Queer History West End, exclusively sponsored by Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Mass250. The exhibit was made in partnership with Queer History Boston. Stop by early and glance around the gallery to see the exhibit for yourself! López is the author of six nonfiction books, the editor of LatineLit, and the writer of numerous essays. Originally from California, Russ has degrees from Stanford, Harvard, and Boston University. He splits his time between Boston and Ptown year-round. Books will be available for purchase at the event.  This event was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Title Town in the West End: Presented by Boston Sports Tours

Take a walking tour through the "City of Champions" to learn the sports history of the West End! Join the Founder of Boston Sports Tours, Kathryn Harris, on a walking tour of sports history in the West End and beyond! Discover how Boston got its Title Town reputation with a walk through the storied history of the Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots. Learn about the powerful beginnings of each team, their rise to elite prominence, and how they gave Boston unforgettable record-setting runs. Get an up-close look at the stories and moments that make Boston a sports trailblazer and mecca. Discover the inspiration and complex connections between the city’s diverse populations and their accomplished sports teams. Unpack the early American values that shaped this modern sports landscape and the cultural victories and challenges along the way. Journey from Government Center to TD Garden – along the Champion’s Parade Route and the Freedom Trail, through Boston’s historic West End and North End, and on to the “Hub on Causeway” – all while discovering iconic sports monuments and hidden sports spots along the way. Tour begins at Government Center MBTA stop, 1 Cambridge Street Boston. End at the West End Museum. This tour will last 2 hours. Attendees will be required to fill out a waiver in advance of the tour. It can be filled out online <a href="https://bostonsportstours.checkfront.com/reserve/document/?template_id=1&amp;return_url=%2Freserve%2Fdocuments%2Fdirectory%2F&amp;kiosk=1">here</a>. Thank you to our sponsor at Boston Sports Tour for their support! This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Government Center MBTA

LGBTQ + West End Walking Tour

Explore the storied history of queer West Enders, their lives, loves, and activism. In conjunction with our Queer History West End Exhibit, join us for a walking tour of the Queer West End.  This walking tour explores the history of the LGBTQ+ community in the West End, primarily around the North Slope neighborhood, old Scollay Square, and Charles Street.  Beginning in the late nineteenth century, this neighborhood was a hub for queer Bostonians, even when much of their history and activities flew under the radar. This area featured speakeasies, raids, Boston marriages, early publication of queer literature, activism, famous gay bars, and AIDS epidemic protests. This tour will focus on the faces and places of the queer community in the West End and explain how one small neighborhood made queer history.  Tours begin at the West End Museum. Thank you to our exclusive sponsors: MA 250 and the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce! Event created in partnership with Queer History Boston. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Explore the storied history of queer West Enders, their lives, loves, and activism. In conjunction with our Queer History West End Exhibit, join us for a walking tour of the Queer West End.&nbsp; This walking tour explores the history of the LGBTQ+ community in the West End, primarily around the North Slope neighborhood, old Scollay Square, and Charles Street.&nbsp; Beginning in the late nineteenth century, this neighborhood was a hub for queer Bostonians, even when much of their history and activities flew under the radar. This area featured speakeasies, raids, Boston marriages, early publication of queer literature, activism, famous gay bars, and AIDS epidemic protests. This tour will focus on the faces and places of the queer community in the West End and explain how one small neighborhood made queer history.&nbsp; Tours begin at the West End Museum. Thank you to our exclusive sponsors: MA 250 and the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce! Event created in partnership with Queer History Boston. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Displaced & Descendant West Ender Reunion

Remember and celebrate "The greatest neighborhood this side of heaven" with friends, family, and neighbors. Beginning in 1958 the diverse working-class neighborhood of The West End was destroyed through urban renewal projects. Once a year, WEM hosts a gathering for those displaced or otherwise impacted by this tragedy and their descendants.&nbsp; We hope you’ll join us for an afternoon of connection, remembrance, and celebration at The West End Museum's Displaced &amp; Descendant West Ender Reunion. This will be an opportunity to reconnect with old neighbors, share West End memories, enjoy refreshments, and honor the enduring spirit of the West End community. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Boston and the Declaration of Independence: 1776 Film Screening and Lecture

Enjoy a special screening of this classic musical while learning about Bostonians' role in declaring independence in 1776! Experience the creation of the Declaration of Independence through song! Celebrate The United States’ 250th birthday with a special screening of the musical&nbsp;1776&nbsp;at The West End Museum. Featuring comedic songs and more quill pens than you can shake an eagle at, join us for this entertaining and (mostly) educational movie. See what it took to declare independence and how the ideals shaping our democracy have lingered, not quite fulfilled, since its inception.&nbsp; This film will be preceded by a mini lecture on the Bostonians who signed the Declaration of Independence. Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry, made up the Massachusetts Delegation, while John Hancock held the presidency of the Continental Congress. These men left their mark, and signatures, on American History. Learn about how their deeds echoed down the centuries of activism and human rights advocacy in Boston’s West End and beyond.&nbsp; This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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 📈

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

jaydiewem

Experiences

SOLD OUT – Big Dig Walking Tour: From the Central Artery to the Rose Kennedy Greenway

Once Upon a Time in the South End: Book Talk with Alison Barnet

Free Admission @ WEM for Labor Day Weekend

West End Community Festival

Little Mister Victory Book Talk with David Kruh

West End Story: Celebrating Community and the Music of Leonard Bernstein

Paint, Sip & Spurs

West End Community Clean-Up

Footage Screening: 1988 Boston Pride March

The Hub of the Gay Universe with Author Russ López

Title Town in the West End: Presented by Boston Sports Tours

LGBTQ + West End Walking Tour

LGBTQ + West End Walking Tour

Displaced & Descendant West Ender Reunion

Boston and the Declaration of Independence: 1776 Film Screening and Lecture