Special Event

Visit 250 Years of the Edmund Fowle House exhibit before it closes

Saturday, October 17, 2026
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Edmund Fowle House
28 Marshall Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Visit The Historical Society of Watertown's exhibit that celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Edmund Fowle House, built in 1772, and the 100th anniversary of the Historical Society's purchase of the house from Charles Brigham in 1922 before it closes.

Learn about the historical significance of the Edmund Fowle House when Watertown was the seat of government for the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the first year and a half of the Revolutionary War, the importance of the Fowle family during the American Revolution and beyond, alterations that were made to the structure over the centuries and the many accomplishments of the Historical Society of Watertown since it was established in 1888.  The exhibit also features artifacts from the collection that have never been viewed by the public or have not been on exhibit for many years, including silverware owned by Rebecca Fowle Bradlee, a pre-1772 shoe found under the attic floorboards and John Fowle family mourning brooches made from human hair.

An ongoing exhibit consisting of short biographies of the 28-member Executive Council of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress that met in the Edmund Fowle House's second floor Council Chamber from July 1775 to September 1776 will also be on view.

Light refreshments will be served.

These exhibits are free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Joyce at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Special Event

Watertown Farmers' Market

Wednesday, October 7, 2026
2:30 - 6:00 PM
Saltonstall Park
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Visit the HSW table at the Watertown Farmers' Market to learn more about the Historical Society.  New memberships purchased at this event will include a copy of the popular new Watertown Passport: Historic Houses booklet at no additional charge.  Copies of the passport will also be available for purchase at $5 each.

This event will take place rain or shine.

Special Public Program

Watertown During the Revolution
A Walking Tour led by Lynne O'Connell and Beth Houston

Sunday, October 4, 2026
10:00 AM
tour departs from Zussman Memorial Park adjacent to the 66 Galen Street building
66 Galen Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Join HSW tour leaders Lynne O'Connell and Beth Houston for a 90-minute walking tour to learn about the important role that Watertown played during the American Revolution.  After the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, the Provincial Congress assembled in the town's Meeting House, making Watertown the seat of the Massachusetts government for 18 months.  As a result, many prominent Revolutionary War figures boarded in town, including Paul Revere and Joseph Warren.

Sites visited will include important dwellings (many of which are no longer standing), public spaces, monuments and plaques as the tour moves toward a final destination of the 1772 Edmund Fowle House, where the Executive Council of the Provincial Congress met.  Participants will be invited to enter the Fowle House and view the current exhibit that celebrates the 250th anniversary of both the Fowle House and the fight for American independence.

There will be a $10 fee (cash or check only) for the tour.  This program is open to the public, but registration is requested.  For more information or to register, please contact Joyce at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Note that this tour will be canceled in case of inclement weather.

Special Public Program

Treaty Day

Saturday, July 18, 2026
2:00 - 5:00 PM
The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts
321 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472

The 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Watertown, the first to recognize the United States as an independent nation, will be celebrated by the City of Watertown in partnership with the Historical Society of Watertown and the Mosesian Center for the Arts.  The treaty was signed by members of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet Nations of Novia Scotia and Northern Maine on July 19, 1776.

The day's events will include:

• ceremonial drumming by Mi'kmaq women
• remarks by leaders from the Massachusett, Mi'kmaq and Maliseet Nations, and the City of Watertown
• hands-on corn husk doll and wampum workshops
• a documentary about Mi'kmaq perspectives on the Treaty of Watertown
• exhibition of contemporary Indigenous artwork
• military salutes to honor Mi'kmaq and Maliseet veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces
• performances of "Sma'knis," composed by Vietnam War veteran and Mi'kmaq ancestor Sgt. Will Basque, and "Lamentation Over Boston," which was composed in 1778 by William Billings and recalls the Siege of Boston from a vantage point in Watertown
• readings from the Treaty of Watertown and commentary on its historical and current impact from both American and Indigenous viewpoints

This program is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is encouraged.  Free parking is available in the East Garage located adjacent to the Mosesian Center.  Visit Treaty Day 250 for more information.

Special Public Program

Watertown During the Revolution
A Walking Tour led by Lynne O'Connell and Beth Houston

POSTPONED TO OCTOBER 4, 2026, DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
Sunday, September 27, 2026
10:00 AM
tour departs from Zussman Memorial Park adjacent to the 66 Galen Street building
66 Galen Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Join HSW tour leaders Lynne O'Connell and Beth Houston for a 90-minute walking tour to learn about the important role that Watertown played during the American Revolution.  After the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, the Provincial Congress assembled in the town's Meeting House, making Watertown the seat of the Massachusetts government for 18 months.  As a result, many prominent Revolutionary War figures boarded in town, including Paul Revere and Joseph Warren.

Sites visited will include important dwellings (many of which are no longer standing), public spaces, monuments and plaques as the tour moves toward a final destination of the 1772 Edmund Fowle House, where the Executive Council of the Provincial Congress met.  Participants will be invited to enter the Fowle House and view the current exhibit that celebrates the 250th anniversary of both the Fowle House and the fight for American independence.

There will be a $10 fee (cash or check only) for the tour.  This program is open to the public, but registration is requested.  For more information or to register, please contact Joyce at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Note that this tour will be canceled in case of inclement weather.

Special Public Program

Tour the Two Oldest Houses in Watertown on the Same Day!

Sunday, September 20, 2026
10:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM
Browne House
562 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472

1:00 PM, 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM
Edmund Fowle House
28 Marshall Street
Watertown, MA 02472

The Historical Society of Watertown joins forces with Historic New England to offer three tours each of the two oldest houses in Watertown, the Browne House (c. 1698) and the Edmund Fowle House (1772).

Tours are open to the public and will be free on this day for Watertown residents.  For more information, please contact Joyce at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Ask about the HSW's new Watertown Passport: Historic Houses, which will be on sale for $5.00 (cash or check only).

September Public Program

Historic Houses of Watertown

A slideshow lecture by David Russo

Sunday, September 13, 2026
2:00 PM
Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room
Watertown Free Public Library
123 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Join Historical Society of Watertown Corresponding Secretary and former Watertown Historical Commission Chair David Russo for a presentation on Watertown's historic houses and a sneak peek of the new passport booklet created by Mr. Russo and council member Joyce Kelly.  Watertown Passport: Historic Houses functions as a guidebook for a tour by foot, bicycle or car of notable houses and provides images, as well as information on unique architectural styles, prominent residents and significant Watertown history.

Following the program, the names of attendees will be entered into a drawing for a copy of the passport booklet, which will also be on sale for $5.00 (cash or check only).

This printing of Watertown Passport: Historic Houses was supported by a grant from Watertown Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

This event is free and open to the public.  Parking is free in the library lot on Sundays.  For more information, please contact Joyce at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Special Public Program

Watertown During the Revolution
A Walking Tour led by Lynne O'Connell and Beth Houston

Saturday, September 12, 2026
10:00 AM
tour departs from Zussman Memorial Park adjacent to the 66 Galen Street building
66 Galen Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Join HSW tour leaders Lynne O'Connell and Beth Houston for a 90-minute walking tour to learn about the important role that Watertown played during the American Revolution.  After the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, the Provincial Congress assembled in the town's Meeting House, making Watertown the seat of the Massachusetts government for 18 months.  As a result, many prominent Revolutionary War figures boarded in town, including Paul Revere and Joseph Warren.

Sites visited will include important dwellings (many of which are no longer standing), public spaces, monuments and plaques as the tour moves toward a final destination of the 1772 Edmund Fowle House, where the Executive Council of the Provincial Congress met.  Participants will be invited to enter the Fowle House and view the current exhibit that celebrates the 250th anniversary of both the Fowle House and the fight for American independence.

There will be a $10 fee (cash or check only) for the tour.  This program is open to the public, but registration is requested.  For more information or to register, please contact Joyce at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Note that this tour will be canceled in case of inclement weather, but is also being offered on September 27, 2026.

Special Public Program

Watertown During the Revolution
A Walking Tour led by Lynne O'Connell and Beth Houston

Sunday, June 7, 2026
10:00 AM
tour departs from Zussman Memorial Park adjacent to the 66 Galen Street building
66 Galen Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Join HSW tour leaders Lynne O'Connell and Beth Houston for a 90-minute walking tour to learn about the important role that Watertown played during the American Revolution.  After the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, the Provincial Congress assembled in the town's Meeting House, making Watertown the seat of the Massachusetts government for 18 months.  As a result, many prominent Revolutionary War figures boarded in town, including Paul Revere and Joseph Warren.

Sites visited will include important dwellings (many of which are no longer standing), public spaces, monuments and plaques as the tour moves toward a final destination of the 1772 Edmund Fowle House, where the Executive Council of the Provincial Congress met.  Participants will be invited to enter the Fowle House and view the current exhibit that celebrates the 250th anniversary of both the Fowle House and the fight for American independence.

There will be a $10 fee (cash or check only) for the tour.  This program is open to the public, but registration is requested.  For more information or to register, please contact Joyce at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Note that this tour will be canceled in case of inclement weather.