Thank you for joining us at all of the amazing moments and programs in 2024!
Check back at this page for a listing of our 2025 events, coming soon!
How Women Have Shaped Barre’s History
They comprised one-half of our town’s population, but women often worked behind the scenes until about a century ago.
Join us as BHS&M Historian Lucy Allen introduces some of the women whose cumulative efforts brought greater freedom and more job opportunities for women, and eventually, the right to vote! We will meet Catharine Brown of “Dr. Brown’s Institution,” “Farmerettes” who worked at the Gaston Estate during World War I, and women who replaced men in the industry at the Chas. G. Allen Co. and Barre Wool Combing Co. during World War II.
Haunted Historical Ghost Walk
This program is held in partnership with the No. 4 Schoolhouse and the 250th Anniversary Committee.
Meet some of the people who lived in the old “District 4” of Barre (Farrington Road/Christian Hill/Sunrise Ave. area) and who are buried in its cemetery, including a young soldier who lost his life in the Civil War, a well-known female abolitionist poet… and who knows who else? Open house and refreshments will be available at the No. 4 Schoolhouse throughout.
The Revival of the Barre Hunt Club: Famous Fox Hunts History
Join us before and after Barre’s 250th Anniversary parade to walk through an family-friendly exhibit featuring the lore of the Barre Hunt Club, enjoy a celebratory beverage in partnership with Stone Cow Brewery, and see our horse-drawn 1859 Concord Stagecoach during Barre’s Bicenquinquagenary (250th) Grand Parade!
Footsteps to Freedom: Tracing the Paths of Barre Residents who moved from Enslavement to Independence
Join us for a presentation by Historian Lucy Allen on Thursday, July 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Barre Town Hall, 2 Exchange St.
The year was 1783. A long-running legal dispute that featured an enslaved man from Barre, Massachusetts—Quock Walker—and his would-be enslaver, Nathaniel Jennison—was finally settled by Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice William Cushing. In the end, slavery was abolished in Massachusetts, the first state to fully eliminate slavery.
What started in 1781 as a seemingly routine “personal freedom” lawsuit by Quock Walker against his alleged enslaver changed over the course of years into an important legal argument heard before the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. It was no longer a question of whether Quock was “owned” by Nathaniel Jennison, but whether any person in Massachusetts could be owned by another human being. In evaluating all the evidence, in 1783, Chief Justice William Cushing found that “the idea of slavery is inconsistent with our own conduct and Constitution.” Quock Walker was now a free man and because of these legal actions, all other enslaved persons in Massachusetts were also freed. This program that will focus on the exciting times of 240 years ago and will discuss how the enslaved people of Barre lived before their emancipation, and the changes in their lives that came about in 1783 when they were freed. The lives of Quock Walker, his family members, and other important characters in this story will be described.
Light refreshments will be available before the program, beginning at 6 p.m. with the presentation starting at 6:30 p.m. Come early to grab a seat and a sweet treat.
Barre Band Concerts from the Society Porch
On Sundays during July & August, we look forward to celebrating Barre’s bicenquinquagenary anniversary all year long! Stop by for lemonade and popcorn concessions (free popcorn to members!) as the concerts return to Barre Common! View photo albums and memorabilia of past town celebrations while enjoying the concert!
Summer Solstice/Happy Birthday, Barre - Founders Day Celebration
This is a members only event.
Join us on the grounds of the Society as we celebrate Barre’s actual Founding Day, June 17, 1774, and welcome in the summer season at the same time! This will be an outdoor lawn party featuring area offerings while overlooking the beautiful Barre Common as the new season begins.
Traditional Arts: Happy Birthday Barre - Celebratory Bunting Banner Making
The fourth installment in our traditional arts series, this class will be led by Directors Eileen Bohigian and Kay Potter Flick. Attendees will be given the basics of stringing paper decorations, following a banner design to hang in your own home in preparation of celebrating Barre’s 250th Birthday on June 17, 2024 and throughout the year!
All materials will be provided for this free class fit for ages 4-104!
2024 Annual Meeting
After we complete the annual business meeting, this year’s theme will be the sharing of something from Barre’s 200th or 225th Anniversary Celebrations.
Walk & Talk at Barre Falls Flood Control Dam
Barre Historical Society & Museum Historian Lucy Allen will lead a guided walk interpreting our local history that lies under and around the Barre Falls Flood Control Dam, which was completed in 1958.
Please note: The time for this event is still being determined. Please continue to check this page for more information.