Programs and Events

2022 Schedule

Unless otherwise noted, all events are free to the General Public. In lieu of a fee, the Society asks you to join or donate instead and help us grow our organization. Please check back often as events are subject to change.

Winter Events:

Townsend Historical Society Annual Meeting and Program

Sunday, November 6. Location: Townsend United Methodist Church at 265 Main Street in Townsend Center and live streamed on Facebook and via Zoom. 2PM.

The Annual Meeting of the Townsend Historical Society will kick off with Officer Reports and a summary of our organization’s accomplishments over the past year. Save the date as this will be a milestone year filled with exciting updates. For more information about the meeting, please see www.townsendhistoricalsociety.org/annualmeeting2022 for all minutes, programs, and the bylaw amendment. We will also elect a slate of officers and directors for the coming year. Following business, we will conclude with our fall speaker.

This year, historian Jane Sciacca will deliver her talk on Lydia Maria Child. Sciacca styles Mrs. Child as her idol. Best known as the author of the holiday classic Over the River and Through the Woods, Mrs. Child was a prominent author, abolitionist, teacher, novelist, and women’s rights advocate. Out of these contributions came The Frugal Housewife, one of the first guides to running a household in an economical manner. It is not hard to imagine this advice making its way from the book into practice by every New England family. Come learn more about how this book and Mrs. Child helped change the lives of the residents in Townsend, the Commonwealth, and beyond.

Townsend Historical Society Holiday Open House

Sunday, December 4 – Reed House, 72 Main Street in Townsend Harbor 10 AM—4 PM.

You’re invited to partake in merriment during this festive gathering. Christmas cookies and punch will be served. Decorations in seasonal spirit will be set to liven the mood. Tours are provided to help you step back in time and escape the holiday rush. See you there!

The Great Snowstorm of 1717 buried New England in several feet of snow. We’ll hope for a light dusting to make our Holiday Open House magical and festive.

Archive of Past Events

For an archive of past events, please click here!