From its earliest beginnings 150 years ago, the Back Bay embraced major cultural institutions alongside the exclusive private homes of Boston’s elite. The Museum of Fine Arts and MIT, the first American university to confer architectural degrees, both trace their origins to the neighborhood.

In fact, its major civic space, Copley Square, was originally called Art Square until renamed in honor of the City’s celebrated painter of the colonial period. Art was not only central to the Back Bay’s identity as a fashionable district, but remains an integral part of its essence today.

The tour is conducted by William Young, of Epsilon Associates, a former staff member to the Back Bay Architectural Commission. This is a free event sponsored by the Newbury Street League. Reservations required. The tour is limited to 30 people.

How will increased real estate demand and density in Boston affect plans to preserve open space? How will climate change impact our priorities for preserving open space and how might it limit our options?

 The Mass. Historical Society and partners Trustees of Reservations, Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Emerald Necklace Conservancy, the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center present this programming.

Pre-talk reception at 5:30 p.m. Registration is required. Follow the link below for more details.

Ever pondered the who, what, and how of Chinatown’s many public murals? Wonder no more! Join the Chinese Historical Society of New England (CHSNE) for a 60-minute walking tour of public murals in Chinatown, revealing the stories and history behind them. Don’t miss this exclusive offering!

This is a ticketed event, so click the link below for more details. Space is limited, registration in advance is highly recommended. This event is also part of ArtWeek - a unique annual celebration of arts and culture from April 27 – May 6. Get the full festival schedule at artweekma.org.

In 1889, Lucy Stone, abolitionist and advocate of women's suffrage, declared that she was, “decidedly in favor of Cremation!” After her death four years later, Mrs. Stone was the first person in New England to be cremated in the 1893 facility erected by local cremation societies. The event was front page news.

Forest Hills purchased the handsome structure in 1925. Many other Greater Boston notables have chosen this alternative for their final disposition. Proponents include: Linda Richards, America's first trained nurse; Edgar Helms, founder of Goodwill Industries; Maria Baldwin, first African-American school principal in Massachusetts; and Ruby Foo, famed restaurateur.

The featured speaker will be Gordon Edes, Red Sox team historian and former reporter for the Boston Globe and ESPN.

Also enjoy the “Ballpark Cocktail Hour” featuring beer, hot dogs, and crackerjacks. 

Part of a larger book project, this paper argues that the seemingly distinct conflicts across the English colonies in the 1670s were actually connected by the political initiatives of the scattered Susquehannock Indians.

The Mass. Historical Society building at 1154 Boylston Street was designated a Boston Landmark in 2016.

Join the Brighton-Allston Historical Society and members of the Aberdeen Architectural District Commission to explore the diverse residential architecture of Boston’s earliest streetcar suburb.

The annual Wake Up the Earth Festival (WUTE) takes place each year on the first Saturday in May and is currently attended by well over 10,000 individuals of all ages. The festival began as, and still is, a celebration of what can be accomplished when people of all traditions, cultures, ages, and beliefs come together. The event features four stages that include:

• music and dance performances
• popular theater
• the Youth Stage, and
• story telling for all ages.

In addition to performances, the festival features more than 50 craft, nonprofit, and food vendors. The festival is anchored by a massive parade (with branches that start in Jamaica Plain Center and Roxbury) with several thousand people marching. A great many individuals, local artists, community groups, and schools join forces every year to create this unique community collaboration.

Tour the 1849 Boston Custom House and 1915 clock tower during Preservation Month in May. The Custom House is a Boston Landmark located in McKinley Square, in Boston’s Financial District. You must register for the event. New this year - register for one of two tours: May 2 or May 16.

This event is also part of ArtWeek - a unique annual celebration of arts and culture from April 27 – May 6. Get the full festival schedule at artweekma.org.

Discover Historic New England's extraordinary collection of New England photographs, manuscripts, and other document.

You will need to make an appointment ahead of time. $5 fee.