2025 Programs

The Birth of Precision Design and Manufacturing in Revolutionary New England: October 19

There was a second revolution brewing in New England in the late 1700s, America’s own Industrial Revolution.  On Sunday October 19, the Boxborough Historical Society is proud to present Boxborough’s Jim Gorman discussing the early efforts of New England craftsmen to develop a system of interchangeable parts production that would sweep the world by the late 19th century.  Jim is an Aerospace Engineer with deep interest in precision manufacturing.  While most histories trace New England innovations in firearms, this early manufacturing story is really more about clockmaking and shoemaking, and does not encompass firearms until after 1810.

The presentation will be in the Boxborough Town Hall (29 Middle Road) starting at 2:00 PM.  Admission is free, all are welcome, and registration is not required. 

Annual Meeting

The 2025 Annual Meeting and Election of Officers and Board of the Boxborough Historical Society will take place on Sunday October 19 in the Boxborough Town Hall (29 Middle Road) at the conclusion of the 2:00 pm presentation on the Birth of Precision Design and Manufacturing in Revolutionary New England.  All are welcome to attend.

Boxborough Schoolhouse #2 Open June 8

 Boxborough’s School House #2 will be open to the public on Sunday, June 8 from 2 to 4 PM. With kind permission of Nancy (Robinson) Morrison, who co-owns the property with her sister Jane Sawisch, you will be able to visit Schoolhouse #2 at 339 Picnic Street (corner of Hill Road), tour the 1857 building, and see exhibits specific to this building. You will receive a one-page history of the Schoolhouse.

The Boxborough Museum at 575 Middle Road will be open also from 2 to 4 PM and you can see some of Boxborough’s other treasures. This will also provide an alternative to the outhouses behind the Schoolhouse! 

Steele Farm Open House - May 18

Every May, Freedom's Way, a consortium of 45 cities and towns that were involved in the events of April 1775, sponsors a "Hidden Treasures" event to highlight notable items and places in each municipality. This year Boxborough’s Hidden Treasure is the Steele Farm and its buildings.

Steele Farm is a thirty-six-acre historic New England farmscape located at 484 Middle Road. This open and expansive landscape provides commanding views, historic structures, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat for many species. There are three buildings on the property: The 1784 Levi Wetherbee farmhouse; the circa 1904 Richardson ice house, and the early 1940’s Steele barn.

There will be an open house on Sunday May 18th, from 2-4 PM where volunteers from the Steele Farm Committee and the Boxborough Historical Society will be on-hand for questions about Steele Farm. The barn and ice house will be open for self-tours and visitors will be able to see inside the farmhouse, but won’t be able to go in. No registration is needed.

Black Patriots of Lexington (and Boxborough and Stow)

On Wednesday May 21st from 7-9 p.m. at the Stow Town Hall located at 375 Great Road in Stow, we are partnering with the Stow Historical Society and the Association of the Black Citizens of Lexington for a screening of a short film in their series “Black Patriots of Lexington (and Boxborough and Stow)" that centers around Cate and Prince Chester and their production of linen in the late 1700’s. There will be a Q & A to follow.