GREAT MEADOWS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, CONCORD, MA
September 1 - November 13 Hapgood Wright Town Forest, Concord, MA Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Artist Reception & Walkabout Saturday, September 17, 4:30-5:30PM Rain Date: Sunday, September 18, 4:30-5:30PM Free and open to the public “In the Balance” is an outdoor exhibition of dynamic artworks that express a striving to […]
After a two-year absence, the Iron Work Farm’s popular annual fundraiser, the Open Tap Room, has returned as an outdoor gathering: the “Open-Air” Tap Room at the oldest house in Acton, the 1707 Jones-Faulkner Homestead, 5 High Street, Acton. A 4:00 salute by the Acton Minutemen will open the event. Join friends of the Iron […]
One hundred and twenty five years after its publication, Dracula has continued to thrill and be interpreted by every generation in turn. And now, in the New England premiere of a bold new adaptation, award-winning playwright-actor Kate Hamill sinks her teeth into the sexism in Bram Stoker's classic. The result is a fun, fearless ride when the […]
Meet Strong Bear Medicine of the Nashobah Praying Indians and local historian Daniel V. Boudillion as they discuss the 1654 Nashobah Praying Indian Village. Topics include the Nashobah People – a vibrant, living community – as well as the living landscape of Native ceremonial structures in Littleton, Acton, and neighboring towns. Co-sponsored with Littleton Historical […]
Join Doug Carr, an architect and student of art and history, as he presents a variety of art works collected by generations of Brooks Family members, whose ranks include the Saltonstalls and the family of John Quincy Adams. The Brooks collection contains works by John Singer Sargent, John LaFarge, Claude Monet, and sculptor Cyrus Dallin, […]
Archaeologist Holly Herbster discusses her research on one of seven original “Praying Towns” established in 1669 by missionary John Eliot. Colonial records tie specific Native people to the archaeological remains of the original meeting house and the importance of this place within Nipmuc homelands. Ongoing collaborative research with Nipmuc descendants is carrying this story forward. […]
Join us on October 15th when Vice President of the Sudbury Historical Society, Elin Neiterman, will provide you with the interesting history of this cemetery and how it has evolved to the beautiful local landmark it has become. She will then lead participants to the monument that was dedicated in 1852 to the soldiers who […]
Join us for a talk with the curator of this year's Art Ramble, our Visual Arts Manager Stephanie Marlin-Curiel! Learn how Stephanie created "In The Balance" from start to finish and what goes into curating an art exhibit - in nature!
Thomas Elmore, of the GeoNAV Group, and Eva Gibavic, of Ceremonial Landscapes Research, share their experience using 3D LiDAR scanning, photogrammetry, and mapping utilizing ArcGIS’s capabilities to bring extremely accurate digital documentation to research of archaeological and ceremonial sites. Zoom only—All programs are free but require registration here. — The Friends of Pine Hawk 2022 […]
As part of the Concord Festival of Authors, The Umbrella is pleased to host a reading, book-signing and writing workshop with Aimee Nezhukumatathil, the New York Times-bestselling poet and author of World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, & Other Astonishments (Barnes and Noble’s Book of the Year). Free and open to the public with RSVP, the book reading and signing […]
October 18-19, 2022 As part of the Concord Festival of Authors, The Umbrella is pleased to host a reading, book-signing and writing workshop with Aimee Nezhukumatathil, the New York Times-bestselling poet and author of World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, & Other Astonishments (Barnes and Noble’s Book of the Year). Free and open to the public, the book reading […]
Henry David Thoreau was a masterful, creative writer. We can follow his example by interacting with nature, by paying close attention to its nuances, and by using all of our senses, as encouragement to write. This session will allow us to study nature in the late afternoon, approaching sunset. We’ll practice inside and then will go outside as the weather […]
Join us for a three-part series of free informational webinars designed to provide technical assistance on research techniques as well as practical examples on how to create interpretive and educational experiences to share stories about the people, places, and events during the American Revolutionary War Period. The first webinar in the series, "Getting Started" will […]
Bettina Abe of Acton’s Natural Resources Division will lead a brisk hike along the Nashoba Brook trail, with stops at the stone chamber and Native American ceremonial sites. Trail conditions can be rocky, uneven, and often wet, and thus participation is limited. Registrants will receive a detailed email several days before the walk. This brisk […]
The Groton Center, 163 West Main Street, West Groton Co-sponsored with the Groton Public Library Program immediately follows brief business meeting Registration required These two seemingly contrasting women writers—the 19th century activist and scintillating conversationalist Margaret Fuller, and the shy 20th century poet Elizabeth Bishop, whose eloquence was confined to the printed page—actually have a great deal […]
Come learn about the origins and development of South Acton at "Mill Corner", as the Iron Work Farm hosts its last open-houses of the year at the town's oldest house and only remaining Revolutionary-era local tavern. At the 1707 Jones-Faulkner Homestead, members of the Nashoba Valley Weavers' Guild will be on hand to showcase their […]
Archaeologist Robert Goodby discusses his field work at a site, undisturbed since the end of the Ice Age, in Keene, New Hampshire, that revealed information about the economy, gender roles, and household organization of the region’s first inhabitants, and evidence of social networks that extended for hundreds of miles across northern New England. Archaeological fieldwork […]
Join us for a three-part series of free informational webinars designed to provide technical assistance on research techniques as well as practical examples on how to create interpretive and educational experiences to share stories about the people, places, and events during the American Revolutionary War Period. The second webinar in the series, "Researching the Stories […]
Join Us for the Go Out Doors Walking Tour and Celebration! Celebrate the Autumn and the 2022 Go Out Doors public art exhibition in beautiful, historic Concord Center Saturday, October 29, 10:30AM-Noon! Meet at The Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow Street, and join a walking tour of the artist-painted doors in the Go Out Doors public art […]
To commemorate 50 years of preserving the town of Harvard’s unique character and natural resources, the Harvard Conservation Trust is partnering with Fivesparks to celebrate art and nature with a juried art show. This partnership will highlight the beauty of the Harvard lands and trails through the eyes of regional artists, while bringing awareness of […]
As part of a comprehensive strategic planning process, The Umbrella Arts & Environment program will invite the community to participate in an open, interactive public listening session to provide input on and ideas for future expanded programming initiatives at the intersection of the arts and environmental issues. Discussion will range from outdoors public art to […]
Many of the “mysterious” stone structures of New England, once thought to be by-products of colonial farming, are now understood as originating in pre-colonial ceremonial practices of Native Americans. Peter Waksman’s talk focuses on contributions to the new understanding made by people and locations in Acton and nearby towns. There has been a growing awareness […]
250th Celebration Community Discussion Thursday, November 3, 7:00 p.m. Goodwin Forum, Main Library & On Zoom Please join in a vigorous community discussion to help plan Concord’s 250th Celebration of the founding of our country. Citizens will have a chance to discuss the goals, theme, and hopeful outcomes of our celebration. The Select Board has established the Concord 2025 […]
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Shirley Historical Society!
The Umbrella Arts Center is honored to host an afternoon of Panel Discussion, Slides, and Conversation with Isezaki Koichiro, Jeff Shapiro and Tim Rowan about their work and careers. We will be examining the intersections of these artists’ work and the tradition of Bizen pottery through their friendships, collaborations, and varied apprenticeships. The panel discussion will be moderated by Judith Schwartz, […]