Before There was a Dam: The Lost Communities of the Wachusett Reservoir

Join us&nbsp;every second Saturday of the month at 1pm&nbsp;to learn more about area and industrial history, engineering, archeology, water access and more from experts in a variety of fields. On&nbsp;November 8th, Paul Marrone, forensic engineer and archival photojournalist, will apply his expertise as a retired civil engineer to recreating the untold stories of the communities lost by the construction of the Wachusett Reservoir. This presentation will focus on the town center of West Boylston, including its schools, town hall, churches, and even a factory village. All events are upstairs in the Overlook Gallery. The presentations are free and open to everyone, including walk-in visitors, space permitting. Please help us monitor capacity by reserving your FREE tickets in advance. Original Photo in the Massachusetts Archives

Waterworks Museum

Memories Flow Beneath It: From Valley to Quabbin

Join us from 4pm to 6pm on Saturday, November 15th for a FREE screening of the documentary&nbsp;Memories Flow Beneath It: From Valley to Quabbin, a film by Roger Hagopian in collaboration with historian, J.R. Greene. The Quabbin Reservoir supplies water to over 50 communities in&nbsp;the greater metropolitan Boston area.&nbsp;This 69 minute film will tell the story of the evolution of this expanding water system,&nbsp;culminating in the traumatic destruction of four towns of the Swift River Valley of Western Massachusetts.&nbsp;Hear the stories of these communities, as told by surviving valley residents. A Q&amp;A session with the film's producer Roger Hagopian and historian J.R. Greene will follow the film. This FREE event will take place upstairs in the Museum's Overlook Gallery. Space is limited, so please help us monitor capacity by reserving your ticket in advance. About the Filmmakers: Roger Hagopian&nbsp;lives in Lexington, where he learned filmmaking at the local cable television studio. A history lover since his youth, he has had film screenings on topics including the Armenians and the Genocide, World War II veterans, factory workers, and local American history, at universities, high schools, public libraries, historical societies, churches, temples, community centers, and other public and private venues. He has also appeared on local cable television stations and radio programs. J.R. Greene&nbsp;is a historian and author of numerous works on state and local history, including sixteen books on the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir and the drowned towns of the Swift River Valley. Greene currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Quabbin, as representative for the Quabbin and Ware River Watersheds on the MWRA Advisory Board, and as a member of the Quabbin Watershed Advisory Committee. He is a lifelong resident of Athol, Massachusetts.

Metropolitan Waterworks Museum

Celebrating the Complex Legacy of Ellen Swallow Richards on the Boston Women's Heritage Trail

Join us every second Saturday of the month at 1pm to learn more about area and industrial history, engineering, archeology, water access and more from experts in a variety of fields. On December 13th, Dr. Alexandria Russell, Executive Director of the Boston Women's Heritage Trail, will deliver a presentation showcasing Ellen Swallow Richards who is featured in the Boston Women's Heritage Trail's (BWHT) "Sidewalk Stories." In an effort to&nbsp;amplify the voices of the women who shaped Boston's past and present, the BWHT's signature program places ADA accessible markers in conspicuous spaces to spark curiosity and engage learners of all ages about the history that surrounds us all. Ellen Swallow Richards, a trailblazing American chemist and significant intellectual contributor to the Massachusetts water system, provides an opportunity to discuss how we grapple with and embrace complex legacies. All events are upstairs in the Overlook Gallery.&nbsp;The presentations are free and open to everyone, including walk-in visitors, space permitting. Please help us monitor capacity by reserving your FREE tickets in advance. Image: Ellen Swallow Richards sampling water, c. 1872, Courtesy MIT Museum

Tricks and Treats at the Waterworks

Calling all werewolves, zombies, and mad scientists! Join us at the Waterworks Museum for a ghoulishly good time at our Tricks and Treats event on Saturday, October 25th from 11am – 3pm! Collect candy while trying your hand (or claws) at special crafts and activities, including balloon rocket bats, paper masks, and monster microbe puppets. Make your own musical instrument and take part in a costume parade! Play fun Halloween-themed games and even win some prizes! We will also be offering special access to the Allis Pumps in the basement. Just make sure to watch out for ghosts (and vampires)! Tickets are only $5 per participant and parents, guardians, and chaperones (as well as babies in arms) are free! As part of our commitment to the Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program, this fee will be waived for EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders.

Exhibit Opening: Fueled by Fire

Join us at the Waterworks Museum on Thursday, October 16th from 6pm to 8pm for the opening of a brand new exhibition, Fueled by Fire: Coal &amp; Steam at the Chestnut Hill High Service Pumping Station. Inspired by the recent loss of our iconic smokestack, this exhibit explores the historic use of coal at the Chestnut Hill High Service Pumping Station, the equipment used to turn that coal into steam, and the complicated legacy of the role of fossil fuels in industrialization. Doors will open at 6pm and light refreshments will be served. Space is limited so please help us monitor capacity by reserving your FREE ticket today.

Stories from an Industrial City: The Proprietors of Locks and Canals on Merrimack River Photo Collection

Join us every second Saturday of the month at 1pm&nbsp;to learn more about area and industrial history, engineering, archeology, water access and more from experts in a variety of fields. On&nbsp;October 11th, Ken Weber, formerly of the National Park Service at Lowell, will share gems from the digitization project of the Proprietors of Locks and Canals on Merrimack River photograph collection. These historic images will help to illuminate aspects of the area’s industrial heritage. All events are upstairs in the Overlook Gallery.&nbsp;The presentations are free and open to everyone, including walk-in visitors, space permitting. Please help us monitor capacity by reserving your FREE tickets in advance. Photo courtesy National Park Service/Proprietors of Locks and Canals

Second Saturday Speaker Series

Join us at the Waterworks Museum every second Saturday of the month to learn more about area and industrial history, engineering, archeology, water access and more from experts in a variety of fields. Our inaugural summer season will include: July 12th - Sex, Crime, &amp; Trophy Taking at the Gilded Age Metropolitan Waterworks with Museum Executive Director, Eric Peterson August 9th - History of Chestnut Hill Reservoir, with Senior Program Manager, Reservoir Operations for the MWRA, John Gregoire September 13th, 2025 - Concrete in Boston: Revolution and Evolution, with former Senior Analyst for CTPS and current President of the Board of Directors at the Shirley-Eustis House, Bill Kuttner All events are upstairs in the Overlook Gallery starting at 1:00pm. The presentations are free and open to everyone, including walk-in visitors, space permitting. To learn more (or to reserve your FREE) tickets visit our website: <a href="https://waterworksmuseum.org/events/">https://waterworksmuseum.org/events/</a>.

Concrete in Boston: Revolution + Evolution

Join us every second Saturday of the month at 1pm to learn more about area and industrial history, engineering, archeology, water access and more from experts in a variety of fields. On September 13th, former Senior Analyst for the CTPS and current President of the Board of Directors at the Shirley-Eustis House, Bill Kuttner, will be presenting Concrete in Boston: Evolution and Revolution. Unreinforced cement has been around since ancient Rome. Reinforced concrete, however, dates only from the turn of the previous century. Like so many important inventions its birthplace was Boston. Given its usefulness and durability, its history, importance, and evolution can be illustrated by structures in our community that we see every day. All events are upstairs in the Overlook Gallery. The presentations are free and open to everyone, including walk-in visitors, space permitting. Please help us monitor capacity by reserving your FREE tickets in advance.

Summer Preschool Programs at the Waterworks

Calling all toddlers and preschoolers!&nbsp;Grab your favorite adult and join us at the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum this summer for stories, crafts, and activities about water and the waterworks. Participation is FREE! Suggested Donation: $5 per child. Thursdays from 10am to 11am July: July 3–&nbsp;Summer Sunshine:&nbsp;Make a suncatcher July 10–&nbsp;*CANCELED* July 17 -&nbsp;Bubbles Everywhere!: Play and paint with bubbles July 24–&nbsp;Be an Engineer:&nbsp;Make a cardboard car July 31&nbsp;-&nbsp;Egg Carton Creatures: Create with recyclables August: Aug. 7&nbsp;–&nbsp;Microbe Magic: Germs are everywhere! Aug. 14&nbsp;–&nbsp;Ice Painting: Explore the 3 states of matter Aug. 21&nbsp;–&nbsp;Sink or Float?:&nbsp;Make a boat that floats Help us plan by reserving your free tickets in advance.

Waterfest

The Metropolitan Waterworks Museum is partnering with local water, STEM, and history organizations for a celebration of all things water! Join us on June 21st from 11am to 3pm to learn more about local and global water issues, while enjoying some family-friendly games, crafts, and activities. Make a fuzzy microbe friend to take home! Blow some GIANT bubbles! Play our bean bag toss game and go on an ocean animal scavenger hunt! Get your face painted between 12 and 2! Enjoy a science magic show! Visit the basement to see the gigantic Allis pumps chambers! And much, much more! The event is FREE and will take place rain or shine. Suggested Donation, $5. Please help us monitor capacity by reserving your tickets today!

PRIDE at the Waterworks

Join us Sunday, June 15th from 11am to 3pm at the Waterworks Museum as we celebrate PRIDE Month with some fun (and colorful) activities! Make a tie-dye bandana or hair-tie to take home! Activities are FREE of charge. Suggested Donation, $5. Help us monitor capacity by observing your tickets today. We hope to see you there!

Hidden Water: April Vacation Week Activities at the Waterworks

Looking for something fun to do over April Vacation Week? Join us at the Waterworks Museum on&nbsp;April 24th from 11am to 3pm&nbsp;to enjoy some family-friendly, hands-on activities and learn more about the “hidden water” in everyday things like food and clothes. Find out how much water it takes to create your favorite meal! Make an egg carton creature to take home! Tickets are only $5 per participant and parents, guardians, and chaperones (as well as babies in arms) are free! As part of our commitment to the Mass Cultural Council's Card to Culture program, this fee will be waived for EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders. Please help us monitor capacity by reserving your tickets today. We hope to see you there!

World Water Day at the Waterworks: Save Our Glaciers

Join us at the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum on Saturday, March 22nd from 11am to 3pm to help us celebrate World Water Day with some special hands-on activities inspired by this year's theme: Glacier Preservation. Help excavate sea creatures from a block of ice! Learn more about our world’s glaciers and how to protect and preserve our icy world! Participation is FREE, Suggested Donation $5. Please help us monitor capacity by reserving your tickets today!

Microbe Madness at the Waterworks

Calling all mad scientists and microbiologists! Looking for something fun to do over February Vacation Week? Join us at the Waterworks Museum on February 20th from 11am to 3pm for Microbe Madness, where we'll explore the invisible world all around us through hands-on crafts and activities. View live microbes at the Microscope Discovery Station, design your own microscopic creatures, make candy microbes, and even help us to defeat harmful bacteria! Tickets are only $5 per participant and parents, guardians, and chaperones (as well as babies in arms) are free! As part of our commitment to the Mass Cultural Council's Card to Culture program, this fee will be waived for EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders. Please help us monitor capacity by reserving your tickets today. We hope to see you there!&nbsp;

Candy Engineering

Calling all candy engineers! Come build a gumdrop structure, make a licorice maze, or fly a balloon rocket sleigh! Join us for family-friendly drop-in activities at the Waterworks Museum on Thursday 12/26 or Friday 12/27 between 11am and 3pm. Reserve your tickets now on Eventbrite for $5.00&nbsp;per group. As part of our commitment to the Mass Cultural Council's Card to Culture program, we offer free admission to EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders. We hope to see you there!

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.

waterworksmuseum

Experiences