2024-2025
Past Events:
Holiday Open House 2025
Sunday, December 7
Don’t miss our annual Open House celebrating the season and festivities.
Come On In… The Water’s Fine! Wayland’s Integration into a 177-Year Regional Water Legacy
Co-hosted by the Wayland Free Public Library and the Wayland Museum.
Wednesday, November 12 | 7 – 8 pm
Raytheon RoomWayland Free Public Library & ZOOM
History Talk with Eric Peterson, Executive Director, Metropolitan Waterworks Museum. Wayland’s recent integration into the MWRA system reflects a broader historical arc: from rural self-reliance to regional interdependence, echoing Greater Boston’s evolving water infrastructure since the 19th century. The Executive Director of the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum, Eric Peterson, will discuss the historical development of one of the nation’s earliest water systems and how Wayland’s new connection to it represents not just an infrastructural solution but a continuation of its intertwined history with Boston’s regional water evolution.
November 23 | 2 pm
Join the Museum and Wayland REV250 as we explore the fascinating connection between the rise of American Christmas traditions and the fight for abolition. In this engaging talk, Ken Turino reveals how mid-nineteenth century female abolitionists—like Maria Chapman, Lydia Maria Child, and Abby Kelly—played a key role in shaping the holiday as we know it today. Through their involvement in Sewing Circles and Christmas fairs, these women raised crucial funds for the abolitionist movement while helping to popularize traditions such as Christmas trees, greenery, and gift-giving in America. Turino highlights how these Boston fairs in particular, organized in collaboration with anti-slavery societies and leaders like William Lloyd Garrison, not only supported the cause but also left a lasting impact on the way we celebrate Christmas. Discover the inspiring stories of these women and how their holiday efforts contributed to both social change and the festive customs we cherish today.
Wayside Inn Foundation’s Apple Fest Family Day
Saturday, September 20 | 10 am – 2 pm
The Wayland Museum will visit The Wayside Inn Foundation’s Apple Fest Family Day on Saturday, September 20th from 10 am to 2 pm. This free, family-friendly community event draws over 2,000 visitors to the Inn’s 100-acre campus for live entertainment, historical demonstrations, hayrides, and local vendors. Stop by our table to explore Wayland history and enjoy a fun-filled day celebrating New England history. Learn more online here: https://www.wayside.org/events/apple-fest-2025
Historical Architecture Tour of Historic Town Center
Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Rain Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Duration: Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours
Meeting Location: Wayland Museum & Historical Society (Grout-Heard House)
Address: 12 Cochituate Road, Wayland, MA (Grout-Heard House)
Step back in time with the Wayland Rev250 Committee and Wayland Museum & Historical Socieity as we explore the architectural gems of the historic Wayland Center! This guided walking tour showcases the distinctive buildings and landmarks that tell the story of our town’s evolution from colonial settlement to vibrant community. This event is part of Wayland’s Revolution 250 celebrations, commemorating our town’s role in American independence.
After the Walk – It’s Refreshment Time! You made it! Now, let’s head back to the Grout-Heard House for some cider and cookies made from 18th-century recipes. (Yes, those cookies are as old as your grandma’s stories, and yes, they are delicious!) If the weather’s nice, we’ll hang out on the front lawn; otherwise, we’ll cozy up inside.
The first floor of the Museum will be open to see artifacts actually used during the Revolutionary War time period.
This event is free (because history is priceless) and open to everyone – so bring your friends, your neighbor, or that random history buff you met at the coffee shop. It’s all part of Wayland’s Rev250 celebrations, supported by the Wayland Museum and Historical Society commemorating our town’s legendary role in American independence.
Free and open to the public. RSVP by going to “Upcoming Events” at: https://www.wayland.ma.us/wayland250
Wayland Festival 2025
35 Andrew Ave., Wayland Town Center
This year’s event features a combined multicultural pavilion and artists’ marketplace, Touch-a-Truck with more trucks and more types of trucks, food/beverage/ice cream trucks, a parade celebrating the nations’s 250th Birthday, and lots of live music! Visit our table and explore history and meet your local community!
October 17-19
Wayland Museum’s Quilt Fundraiser Weekend is three days of celebrating Wayland’s textile treasures.
Friday, October 17 | 7-9 pm
A Special Evening with Quilts. Don’t miss out on experiencing Wayland history and this special collection!
$20. RSVP required.
Saturday, October 18 | 3 pm
Quilt Conservator Talk. Join Camille Myers Breeze, Chief Conservator, Museum Textile Services to discuss the care and keeping of quilts.
$15 non-members / $12 members
Sunday, October | 19 12-4 pm
Quilt Show Open House. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Wayland history and this special collection! $10. Online or at the door.
2024-2025
Reading Frederick Douglass Together
Tuesday, July 17:00—8:30 PM
Round RoomWayland Free Public Library5 Concord Rd., Wayland, MA, 01778
As America celebrates our first 250 years, join us in community to explore the complex layers of our history through Frederick Douglass’s powerful words. We’ll gather for a reading of his famous “What to the slave is the Fourth of July?” speech. Afterwards, stay for a conversation facilitated by Dr. Eden-Reneé Hayes where we’ll grapple with questions about justice, equality, and American identity.
All voices welcome. All perspectives valued. All ages invited.
Presented by the Wayland Museum & Historical Society, the Wayland Free Public Library, the Town of Wayland’s Human Rights, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the League of Women Voters-Wayland, and Wayland Rev250.
This program is made possible by a grant from Mass Humanities, which provided funding through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). Mass Humanities is a state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
July 10, 5:00-8:00 pm
The Museum will be joining Wayland Recreation Department and ArtsWayland for a fun sunset evening at the Wayland Town Beach on July 10. Don’t miss some fun in the summer sun.
Dudley Pond Ice Cream Social!
July 12, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Join us at this community ice cream social event! Enjoy ice cream at Mansion Beach followed by a jazz band that cruises the pond. http://www.dudleypond.org/home/2025-ice-cream-social-sat-july-12-2-4pm
Plein Air Painting with ArtsWayland and the Wayland Museum
Saturday, August 2nd, 9:00-11:00 AM
Rain Date: Wednesday, August 6, 5:30-7:30 PM
Join us for a fun outdoor painting experience combining art and local history! This free public event, presented by Arts Wayland and the Wayland Museum & Historical Society, invites artists of all ages and levels to bring their easels and paints to the museum grounds while learning about Wayland’s historic district and landscape. Bring your own supplies (although clipboards available with paper for kids) and discover the beauty of plein air painting in Wayland’s historic and picturesque setting. No experience necessary – just bring your enthusiasm for art and curiosity for history. FREE and open to all.
https://artswayland.com/pages/plein-air-painting-with-arts-wayland-and-the-wayland-museum
2025 Waterfest at Waterworks Museum
Saturday, June 21
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Waterworks Museum, Chestnut Hill
2450 Beacon St, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
From 1845 to 1951, Lake Cochituate was a main source of water for the city of Boston. Learn all about this remarkable technological accomplishment, as well as other water related history at the Waterworks Museum in Chestnut Hill on June 21 at the museum’s Waterfest. The Wayland Museum will be tabling and sharing information about our own water sources.
Historical Architecture Tour of Cochituate
Sunday, June 22, 2025 | 2:00 PM (Rain or Shine)
Meeting Location: Community United Methodist Church Parking Lot (80 Main Street, Wayland, MA)
Accessibility: Moderate walking on mostly flat terrain with some uneven sidewalks
Join the Wayland Historical Society and the Wayland Rev250 Committee for a walking tour of historic Cochituate! This event is part of Wayland’s Revolution 250 celebrations, commemorating our town’s role in American independence.
Free and open to the public, but registration is recommended using the form under “Upcoming Events” at: https://www.wayland.ma.us/Wayland250
Deep Dive Collections Talk: Enslavement in the Age of Revolution
Tuesday, April 29, 6:30-8:00pm
Grout-Heard House, Wayland Museum & Historical Society
Through hands-on history examine WM&HS collections and resources that shed light on the people who were enslaved in Sudbury/Wayland as well as their enslavers on the cusp of the American Revolution.
Light refreshments will be provided. Space is limited.
Saturday, May 3
10:00 AM
Limited to 12 Member spots | $20
Join WM&HS for a special small-group tour of the historic Boston Athenæum at 10½ Beacon Street. This institution was founded in 1807 and is one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States.
May Day Family Games
Saturday, May 10
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wayland Museum & Historical Society
Celebrate spring with family and friends at an outdoor May Day celebration. The event will kick-off with May Pole decorating, followed by a medley of outdoor activities and games. Events are geared towards elementary school kids and families, but all are invited to attend – you are never to old to play cup-and-ball! Wear sneakers, invite your neighbors, and RSVP here.
Annual Meeting
Wednesday, May 14
7:00 PM
Large Hearing Room, Town Building
Join us for our Wayland Museum & Historical Society Annual Meeting. The highlight of the evening, after a short business session, will be a presentation by town surveyor Tom Lashmit, who is responsible for surveying and mapping land, including property lines and topographic features.
If you enjoyed Tom’s talk about Wayland historic maps, you will be pleased by how much more there is to learn about early roads, byways, property markers, and locations in Wayland. Do you know where the Ashen swamp is? What about Hog Lane? How long is a rod ( used to measure your property)? Come and find out!
All are invited to attend at 7 pm. RSVP here.
225 Boston Post Road