Virtual Program - Houseplants 101

Join Historic New England and Lynn Ackerman, the greenhouse manager at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses in Waltham, Massachusetts, for this virtual presentation. Lynn shares the best growing strategies for houseplants, plus tips on how to keep them plants healthy. You will learn the proper cultural conditions needed to have success growing your houseplants and which ones to choose for growing conditions in your home.&nbsp; Be ready to ask questions about your own houseplant to get a personalized answer during the question and answer segment. Mark your calendar for the Houseplant and Begonia Sale on Saturday, January 18, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Advance tickets required. Please call 617-994-6678 for more information. The link for the webinar will be included in the order confirmation for this program.

Lyman Estate

Gilded Glow Holiday Concert

Join Historic New England for a festive concert from The Harper and The Minstrel in the twinkling glow of the holiday lights in this Gilded Age mansion. This historically inspired performance of Medieval, Renaissance, and Celtic winter music is sung and played on a variety of traditional instruments including historical harps, recorders, viola da gamba, dulcimers, guitar, wooden flutes, and psaltery.&nbsp; The Harper and The Minstrel are Jay and Abby Michaels. This husband-and-wife musical duo has performed Medieval, Renaissance and Celtic music for more than twenty years.&nbsp; Doors open at 6:00 p.m. to explore the house and enjoy refreshments. The concert starts at 7:00 p.m.&nbsp; Please call 617-994-6600 for more information.&nbsp; Seating is limited. Advanced registration required.

Eustis Estate

Santa at the Eustis Estate

Santa Claus is coming to Historic New England's Eustis Estate! Visit the 1878 mansion house decorated for Christmas and take a photo with Santa from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Please call 617-994-6600 for more information. All children must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Once you have selected your child tickets reserve your adult tickets from the link in the cart or HERE.This is a special program and no discounts apply. Children: $5; General Public: $20. Historic New England member adult tickets are free.

Annual Eustis Estate Arts Market

Historic New England invites you to the 5th Annual Eustis Estate Arts Market. This open air market features a variety of local craftspeople selling unique, handmade work in a wide range of mediums. Tickets are $5. Historic New England members are free; Nonmember $5.  Please call 617-994-5914 for more information.

Museum as Muse

Ever since Andy Warhol’s 1969 “<a href="https://risdmuseum.org/exhibitions-events/exhibitions/raid-icebox-1-andy-warhol">Raid the Icebox 1</a>” exhibition at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, contemporary artists have found fertile ground in traditional museum settings. By introducing work that challenges and enlarges our experience of these spaces, makers and curators forge unforeseen links between institutional founders and present-day visitors, reinvigorating our engagement with the past. Join moderator Tripp Evans, curator of Historic New England’s exhibition, <a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/20292/importance-exhibition">The Importance of Being Furnished: Four Bachelors at Home</a>, for a discussion of this practice with celebrated artists Hannah Barrett and Beth Katleman, whose works appear in Historic New England’s show, and Pieranna Cavalchini, the Tom and Lisa Blumenthal Curator of Contemporary Art at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. to allow time to visit the exhibition and enjoy refreshments before the program. Please call 617-994-6600 for more information.

Mobius Artist Group Presents: Accumulation + Migration

Join Historic New England and Mobius Artist Group for an afternoon of art and performance at the Eustis Estate in Milton, where the theme of <a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/20292/mobius?_gl=1*1ohbcn*_ga*MzQ0NjA5MjUwLjE3MTgzODIxMjg.*_ga_FZ62ER4KHZ*MTcyNTM5MDczNy4yODUuMS4xNzI1MzkxMTM1LjYwLjAuMA..">Accumulation + Migration</a> is brought to life through visual explorations. <a href="https://www.mobius.org/">Mobius</a> presents a series of unique performances that delve into this theme and invite the audience to reflect on the impacts of climate change on humanity and the natural world. Performers will engage in building a sculpture while simultaneously creating dynamic traveling movements, seamlessly blending art and action to evoke a powerful narrative. The event also features two musical sets that complement the visual and movement pieces, enhancing the sensory journey through the Eustis Estate and its landscape. <a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/20292/mobius?_gl=1*1ohbcn*_ga*MzQ0NjA5MjUwLjE3MTgzODIxMjg.*_ga_FZ62ER4KHZ*MTcyNTM5MDczNy4yODUuMS4xNzI1MzkxMTM1LjYwLjAuMA..">Don't miss this unique opportunity</a> to witness the innovative spirit of the Mobius Artist Group against the stunning backdrop of the Eustis Estate. Please call 617-994-6600 for more information.

42nd Annual Codman Estate Fine Arts and Crafts Festival

Join Historic New England for the 42nd Annual Codman Estate Fine Arts &amp; Crafts Festival. This annual event features the work of more than 100 local artisans. Work includes painting, woodworking, food products, jewelry, photography, glass, clothing, metalwork, and more! Enjoy live entertainment, a food court, and first floor tours of the Codman House museum.

Codman Estate

Lyman Estate Landscape Tour

Join Historic New England for a walk through the rolling wooded paths and garden trails of the Lyman Estate. This site was home to pleasure grounds, formal gardens, a pond system, woodlands, and a working farm for more than four generations of the Lyman family. Peek into the land’s former uses with stories of flora, fauna, and the individuals who cared for them. Historic New England $15; Nonmember $25. Please call 617-994-6672 for more information. Tour will meet at the front door of the mansion. This outdoor tour involves traversing uneven surfaces and some stairs for 90 minutes. It will run rain or shine. The greenhouses, one of the oldest surviving complexes in the country, will be open 9:30-4:00 and participants can visit before or after the tour.

Spinsters and Confirmed Bachelors: LGBTQ+ Tour at the Codman Estate

When Ogden Codman Jr. married in 1904, a newspaper printed what many of his friends were thinking: wasn’t he a confirmed bachelor? While not all spinsters and bachelors were gay, not all who were unmarried remained uncoupled. Join us for this special tour of Historic New England’s Codman Estate, for highlights of Codman family friends and relations, from a late nineteenth-century New York power couple, to a literary cousin with a talent for needlework, sharing stories of specific gay and lesbian lives.&nbsp; Historic New England member $20; general public $35. Please call 617-994-6651 for more information.&nbsp;Advance registration required.&nbsp;

Summer Concerts at Eustis Estate: Olson Pingrey Quartet

Join us for summer concerts on the expansive lawn of Historic New England’s Eustis Estate, presented with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mandorlamusic.net/" target="_blank">Mandorla Music</a>. Bring a picnic and enjoy music as the sun sets. Boston’s most alphabetical jazz group, the Olson Pingrey Quartet (AKA the OPQ) is led by the husband and wife team of trombonist Randy Pingrey and baritone saxophonist Kathy Olson. They play a mix of original compositions and inventive arrangements of standards. They'll be joined for this performance by Sam JC Lee on bass and Austin McMahon on drums. Tickets are free; donations are encouraged.&nbsp; Advance ticket reservations are highly recommended. Alcohol is not permitted. Refreshments are available for sale. Please bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. Dogs on leashes are welcome. In the event of rain, the concert will be canceled or rescheduled. Please call 617-994-6600 for more information.

The Importance of Being Furnished: Four Bachelors at Home

The Importance of Being Furnished: Four Bachelors at Home delves into the evolution of American interior design by spotlighting four historic homes - Beauport-Sleeper-McCann House, Codman Estate, Gibson House, Pendleton House – and their creators. Opening June 21, the exhibition examines the role Ogden Codman Jr., Charles Hammond Gibson, Charles Leonard Pendleton, and Henry Davis Sleeper played in early twentieth-century preservation and interior design, highlighting an extraordinary range of furnishings, design work, and personal artifacts drawn from their homes. The homes featured in the exhibition, all of which are now museums open to the public, include:<ul><li><a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/beauport-sleeper-mccann-house/" target="_blank">Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House</a>&nbsp;(1907), in Gloucester, Massachusetts, the eclectic masterpiece of interior decorator Henry Davis Sleeper (1878-1934);</li><li><a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/codman-estate/" target="_blank">Codman Estate</a>&nbsp;(c. 1740) in Lincoln, Massachusetts, home to five generations of the Codman family and redecorated in its final incarnation by architect Ogden Codman, Jr. (1863-1951);</li><li><a href="https://www.thegibsonhouse.org/" target="_blank">Gibson House Museum</a>&nbsp;(1860) in Boston’s Back Bay, a row house preserved by its final owner, writer Charles Hammond Gibson, Jr. (1874-1954);</li><li><a href="https://risdmuseum.org/exhibitions-events/exhibitions/charles-pendleton-house" target="_blank">Pendleton House</a>&nbsp;(1906) at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, built to replicate the Federal-era home of collector Charles Leonard Pendleton (1846-1904).</li></ul>The Importance of Being Furnished: Four Bachelors at Home&nbsp;is on view from June 21 to October 27, 2024 at the Eustis Estate in Milton, Mass. The Eustis Estate is open from Friday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Juneteenth Community Celebration

Celebrate freedom and community this Juneteenth at Historic New England's Eustis Estate. Enjoy live music from the Cornell Coley, the Hamilton Garrett Drumline, Milton High School singers and more. Come together and lift every voice in song and dance throughout the afternoon. Explore family-friendly activities on the beautiful grounds and inside the museum. Pack up some food and bring it along, sample free light refreshments, or purchase food from local vendors. Tickets are free; donations are encouraged. This event is held in collaboration with Church of Holy Spirit, Mattapan and Courageous Conversations Towards Racial Justice Milton. Generous support provided by Eastern Bank, Milton Cultural Council, and Boston Outdoor Preschool Network. Please call 617-994-6600 for more information.

Celebrate freedom and community with Historic New England at the Eustis Estate. Enjoy live music from Cornell Coley, the Hamilton Garrett Drumline, and more. Come together and lift every voice in song and dance throughout the day. Explore fun family-friendly activities on the beautiful grounds and inside the museum. Pack up some food and bring it along, sample free light refreshments, or purchase food from local vendors. This event is held in partnership with <a href="https://chsmattapan.org/" target="_blank">Church of Holy Spirit, Mattapan</a> and <a href="https://www.courageousconversations-milton.org/" target="_blank">Courageous Conversations Towards Racial Justice Milton</a>. Generous support provided by <a href="https://www.easternbank.com/" target="_blank">Eastern Bank</a>, <a href="https://massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/milton/" target="_blank">Milton Cultural Council</a>, and <a href="https://www.bopn.org/" target="_blank">Boston Outdoor Preschool Network</a>. Please call 617-994-6600 for more information.&nbsp;

Free tours at Historic New England house museums

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, Historic New England offers free tours at historic sites in the greater Boston area. &nbsp; From Saugus to Waltham, to Boston, to Milton, discover the stories these sites tell about the area’s history. If you love architecture, history, great landscapes, and interior design, stop by on June 1, 2024, and explore distinctly different historic sites – for free. From remarkably intact seventeenth century buildings to a grand country estate, to the stylish Otis House in its ever-changing neighborhood, to the oldest house in Cambridge, there is much to explore. The properties are open for free tours on June 1, 2024. Times vary. Check <a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/youre-invited-to-our-region-wide-open-house-2/" target="_blank">HistoricNewEngland.org</a> for details. Greater Boston area house tour locations <a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/boardman-house/" target="_blank">Boardman House</a> in Saugus (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) <a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/browne-house/" target="_blank">Browne House</a>, in Watertown (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) <a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/cooper-frost-austin-house/" target="_blank">Cooper-Frost-Austin House</a> in Cambridge (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) <a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/eustis-estate-museum-study-center/" target="_blank">Eustis Estate</a> in Milton (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) <a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/otis-house/" target="_blank">Otis House</a> in Boston (11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) <a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate/" target="_blank">Lyman Estate</a> in Waltham (10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) <a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate-greenhouses/" target="_blank">Lyman Estate Greenhouses</a> (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) <a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/pierce-house/" target="_blank">Pierce House</a> in Dorchester (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) <a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/quincy-house/" target="_blank">Quincy House</a> in Quincy (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

Historic New England

A Tour of Historic New England's Cogswell's Grant

A must-see for lovers of American folk art, Historic New England’s Cogswell’s Grant was the summer home of collectors Bertram K. and Nina Fletcher Little. Mrs. Little preferred the term "country art" to "folk art", and dedicated a lifetime to researching the everyday people who made and used the objects she acquired. The Littles decorated with an eye for visual delight rather than historical accuracy, and Cogswell's Grant is one of the only places where you can visit such a collection in the home for which it was assembled. Join site manager Kristen Weiss for a virtual tour of Cogswell's Grant and the Littles' celebrated collection Tickets $5. Free for Historic New England Members. The link for the webinar will be included in the order confirmation for this program. Advance tickets required. Please call 617-994-6678&nbsp;for more information.

Online

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

Discover kid-friendly fun in Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas! Enjoy hands-on exhibits at the Boston Children’s Museum, explore the New England Aquarium, and visit the Franklin Park Zoo. Find parks, playgrounds, and seasonal events perfect for families across Massachusetts.

Top 20 kid-friendly things to do in Boston, MA

Kid-friendly things to do in Boston

Kid-friendly events

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.