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PRODID:-//Freedom's Way National Heritage Area - ECPv6.17.5.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
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X-WR-CALNAME:Freedom's Way National Heritage Area
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://freedomsway.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Freedom's Way National Heritage Area
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TZID:UTC
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TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
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TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20220101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260613T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260613T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T182514Z
CREATED:20260403T182333Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T182514Z
UID:36052-1781348400-1781355600@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Declaring Independence: Then & Now – Fitchburg\, MA
DESCRIPTION:Kick off the weekend on Saturday\, June 13 at 11:00 AM with the Fitchburg Historical Society and Three Pyramids at the Adrian L. Ford Center for Change (18 Fairmount Street). Presented in collaboration with The Openest Mic and Stratton Players\, this performance blends history and contemporary expression. Stay afterward for an open poetry\, music\, and story-sharing session with local participants. \nDeclaring Independence: Then & Now brings to life the Declaration of Independence as a forum for civic dialogue and engagement through a forty-minute performance and ensuing moderated community conversation. The script\, written by public historian Mary B. Fuhrer\, utilizes primary source material researched by citizen historians to reveal how individuals within Massachusetts towns debated and responded to the question of independence in the spring and summer of 1776\, followed by an annotated reading of the Declaration itself. \nIn commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence\, 15 community-hosted performances are scheduled across the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area during the spring and summer of 2026. Find a performance near you! \nDeclaring Independence: Then & Now is supported\, in part\, by the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/declaring-independence-fitchburg/
LOCATION:Adrian L. Ford Center for Change\, 18 Fairmount Street\, Fitchburg\, MA\, 01420\, United States
CATEGORIES:Declaring Independence: Then & Now,Performances
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DI-2026_Stacked-Logo-for-Events.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Fitchburg Historical Society":MAILTO:welcome@fitchburghistoricalsociety.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260516T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260516T130000
DTSTAMP:20260407T123908Z
CREATED:20260407T123908Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T123908Z
UID:36210-1778929200-1778936400@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:John Fitch Headstone Dedication & Historical Society Open House
DESCRIPTION:Dedication of a headstone for John Fitch founder of Fitchburg and Ashby who died penniless and was buried in the paupers section of the old burial ground in Ashby without a marker. Ashby Historical raised funds to obtain a headstone. \nDATE: Saturday\, May 16th \nTIME: 11 AM – 1 PM \nLOCATION: Dedication: Old Burial Ground\, Common Road; Open House: Old Engine House\, 846 Main Street\, \, Ashby\, MA 01431 \n  \nThis program is offered by the Ashby Historical Society and Fitchburg Historical Society as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature\, Culture & History\, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places\, objects\, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/john-fitch-headstone-dedication-historical-society-open-house/
LOCATION:Ashby Old Burial Ground\, Common Road\, Ashby\, MA\, 01431\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hidden Treasures,Open House
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DSC07341.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240523T160000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240523T173000
DTSTAMP:20240501T134906Z
CREATED:20240426T124314Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240501T134906Z
UID:21349-1716480000-1716485400@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Celebrate! Fitchburg's Historic Preservation
DESCRIPTION:May is Preservation Month! Learn about the importance of historic preservation to Fitchburg’s urban revitalization and celebrate ongoing preservation work in the City. \n\n\n\nReinvestment in historic resources creates resilient neighborhoods that promote the reuse of existing infrastructure\, support areas that are walkable and energy efficient\, and enhance community livability. \n\n\n\n  \nThis program is offered by the Fitchburg Historical Commission\, City of Fitchburg\, Fitchburg Historical Society\, Fitchburg Cultural Alliance\, InTown Fitchburg\, NewVue Communities and the Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature\, Culture & History\, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places\, objects\, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!  \n 
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/celebrate-fitchburgs-historic-preservation/
LOCATION:Fitchburg Legislative Building\, 700 Main Street\, Fitchburg\, 01420\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hidden Treasures,Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/fitchbrg-historic-preservation-posterH-04302024.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230520T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230520T120000
DTSTAMP:20230421T133957Z
CREATED:20230421T133654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230421T133957Z
UID:17809-1684580400-1684584000@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Monuments and Architectural Treasures on Main Street
DESCRIPTION:This walking tour in Fitchburg will explore the Upper Common and nearby Monument Park to see the monuments\, buildings and artworks that have stood witness in this central Massachusetts industrial and cultural center\, from the late 1700’s to today. Discover townhouses\, institutional and commercial buildings\, some over 200 years old…monuments from the Civil War era\, and urban improvements created as part of the City Beautiful movement. \nThis free 60 minute walk is suitable for the general public. You can finish with coffee and refreshments at the Fitchburg Historical Society or with a visit to Fitchburg’s Food Truck Festival\, happening nearby on the same day. Join Fitchburg Historical Commission member Keith Chenot and Historical Society Director Susan Navarre for this introduction to an important center for the Industrial Revolution and 19th century culture. \nREGISTRATION REQUESTED: To RSVP\, call 978-345-1157 or email director@fitchburghistoricalsociety.com. \nWEATHER POLICY: In case of extreme weather\, any change in date or time will be posted on the answering machine at 978-345-1157. \nThis program is offered by the Fitchburg Historical Society and Fitchburg Historical Commission as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature\, Culture & History\, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places\, objects\, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!  \n 
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/monuments-and-architectural-treasures-on-main-street/
LOCATION:Fitchburg Historical Society\, 781 Main Street\, Fitchburg\, MA\, 01420\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hidden Treasures,Tours
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/FHS7-Copy-2.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Fitchburg Historical Society":MAILTO:welcome@fitchburghistoricalsociety.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230516T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230516T203000
DTSTAMP:20230403T185925Z
CREATED:20230403T185925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230403T185925Z
UID:17535-1684261800-1684269000@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Neighbors and Partners: Just Policing
DESCRIPTION:Talk and book signing by authors Edward F. Cronin and Dayna Kendall\, on their book: Just Policing\, My Journey to Police Reform. This discussion will look at reform and the move toward equity and a community-based approach to policing in the late 1990’s and early 2000 in Fitchburg Massachusetts. Cronin is the retired Chief of Police from Fitchburg\, Massachusetts and his new book is being used in criminology courses across the United States.
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/neighbors-and-partners-just-policing/
LOCATION:Fitchburg Historical Society\, 781 Main Street\, Fitchburg\, MA\, 01420\, United States
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ed-cronin_book.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Fitchburg Historical Society":MAILTO:welcome@fitchburghistoricalsociety.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230515T160000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230515T180000
DTSTAMP:20230601T154612Z
CREATED:20230420T161051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230601T154612Z
UID:17700-1684166400-1684173600@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:150th Anniversary of the Birth of Finland's President Oskari Tokoi: How he came to live in Fitchburg
DESCRIPTION:This is a talk about the life of the first president of Finland after the country freed itself from Russian Control. Born 150 years ago on May 15\, Oskari Tokoi lived and worked in Finnish communities before coming to Fitchburg\, Massachusetts to write and edit at the city’s Finnish-language newspaper. \nThis talk about episodes in Tokoi’s life will be presented by longtime Fitchburg resident Roy Helander. The talk will also be accompanied by a display of Finnish artifacts and photos from the Fitchburg Historical Society\, plus birthday cake and some good strong Finnish-style coffee! \nDoors will open at 4:00 p.m. to give people a chance to see the artifacts on display from Fitchburg’s Finnish history\, and to enjoy some refreshments and an opportunity to chat. The talk will last approximately 30 minutes\, and will conclude with a question and answer period\, plus additional time to socialize and enjoy the displays. \nPARKING & ACCESS: There is a parking lot behind the building\, plus extensive free parking on Main Street and nearby. The building is wheelchair accessible. \n  \nThis program is offered by the Fitchburg Historical Society & the Finnish Center at Saima Park as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature\, Culture & History\, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places\, objects\, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!  \n  \n 
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/150th-anniversary-of-the-birth-of-finlands-president-oskari-tokoi-how-he-came-to-live-in-fitchburg/
LOCATION:Fitchburg Historical Society\, 781 Main Street\, Fitchburg\, MA\, 01420\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hidden Treasures,Exhibits,Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Oskari-Tokoi-1958.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Fitchburg Historical Society":MAILTO:welcome@fitchburghistoricalsociety.com
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