Meetings and Programs
Board Meeting
Date: 3rd Thursday of the month.
Location: 36 Concord Rd., Billerica Ma 01821
Time: 7:00 pm
For more information click here.
Dining to Donate – Garrisons
Date: March 10, 303 Boston Rd., Billerica, MA 01821 Time: 11:00 am – Midnight, 50/50 Raffle from 4:00 – 8:00 pm
The Billerica Historical Society welcomes you to “An Early St. Patrick’s Day Celebration” at Garrison’s – Dine-In from 11:00 am to midnight.
Be sure to show your server a copy of the flyer!!
For more information click here!
Open House – Clara Sexton Memorial House
Date: 1st Sunday April through November
36 Concord Rd., Billerica, MA 01821 Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
The Billerica Historical Society welcomes you to the Clara Sexton Memorial House and the Margaret Ingraham Museum of Billerica History to visit their exhibits and take a step back in time. The Clara Sexton Memorial House will be open 1pm to 3pm.
Parking:
Council On Aging Parking Lot: 25 Concord Rd., Billerica, MA 01821.
Victorian Tea – Bennett Library
Date: May 17, 3 Concord Rd., Billerica, MA 01821 Time: 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Each year in May, the Billerica Historical Society hosts a Victorian Tea, thanks to Diane Douglas and her volunteers. Up to 75 people, including children, and a few men attend this event.
The history of Tea goes back to the Duchess of Bedford, for beginning afternoon tea around 1840. She was one of Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting who requested that tea, bread and butter, and cake be brought to her room in the late afternoon. Dinner was served late, and this provided a small amount of food while waiting for dinner.
Cost: Adult – $15, Child – $10. Make check payable to the Billerica Historical Society. Mail to – Billerica Historical Society, PO Box 381, Billerica, MA 01821. Call (978) 807-4439 for your reservation.
The proceeds of this event bring funds to the Society, and we thank you for coming to Tea!
Parking:
Council On Aging Parking Lot: 25 Concord Rd., Billerica, MA 01821.
Yankee Doodle Day – Clara Sexton Memorial House
Date: September 13, 36 Concord Rd., Billerica, MA 01821 Time: 1pm to 4pm
“Yankee Doodle Homecoming,” which launched its first celebration in 1991 was a brainstorm of a community’s civic leader, Donald Donati. The idea was conceived at a fall town meeting in 1988 when Billerica declared itself as “America’s Yankee Doodle Hometown.” The town’s bursting-with-pride slogan was an ultimate result of the excavation of the town’s noble patriotic heritage. The moniker, “Yankee Doodle Town” came directly from the colonial history: A local farmer, Thomas Ditson was tarred and feathered at Boston Common in March 1775 by British soldiers. Then he was paraded around the streets of Boston to a derogatory version of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” as a punishment for his attempt to make an “illegal” deal to purchase a “musket” from a British soldier.
Christmas Open House – Clara Sexton Memorial House
Date: December 7, 36 Concord Rd., Billerica, MA 01821 Time: 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Each year on the first Saturday of December, from 4 to 7 PM, the Billerica Historical Society opens the Clara Sexton House to the public.
The Billerica Garden Club decorates most of the house, and members of the Society decorate the old kitchen and fireplace, and this year, (2024) were able to open the newly renovated upstairs bedroom, with the rope bed and the trundle bed.
The Society’s decorations are mostly those of what would be available in Colonial Williamsburg including Christmas pudding and hard sauce! Cookies and cider are served. The Victorian singers perform, and the Billerica Colonial Minute Men are there to give tours and often light a fire outside and fire a few shots of muskets.
Step back in time and enjoy the festive atmosphere and come back for summer tours.