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Historic New England

@historicnewengland.bsky.social
382 followers 41 following 437 posts

Exploring the authentic New England experience from the past to today. Share your visits to our properties—use #HistoricNewEngland and tag us!

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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
What can a front door tell us about the people who have passed through it? In our latest blog post, intern Sophie Kolakowski explores what the front doors of Historic New England’s house museums can tell us about the people who lived behind them.
historicnewengland.org
The Front Door to History | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Meet the next generation of museum leaders! This fall, we’re sharing stories from our Next Gen Museum Leaders internship program, generously supported by IMLS. This week, meet Chloé-Marie Cabaret-Salameh, who interned with our Library and Archives team.
historicnewengland.org
Next Gen Museum Leaders: Chloé-Marie Cabaret-Salameh | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
October is #AmericanArchivesMonth! We're kicking it off with a new blog post about the Boston Building Department Photographic Collection, which offers sometimes-unexpected views of the early twentieth-century city and was recently digitized with generous support from IMLS.
historicnewengland.org
The Boston Building Department: Fires and Urban Decay in Early Twentieth-Century Boston | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
From livestock and prize-winning pumpkins to fried dough and midway rides, New England’s county fairs have changed surprisingly little over the past two centuries. In today's blog post, Joie Grandbois explores their history.
historicnewengland.org
Sustaining Our Past: County Fairs | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We're catching up with alums of our Next Gen Museum Leaders internship program (generously supported by IMLS). This week, meet Hailey Robbins, who worked with our Collections Services team and is now curator at Gibson House in Boston's Back Bay.
historicnewengland.org
Next Gen Museum Leaders: Hailey Robbins | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
At Bowman House in Dresden, Maine, cataloguers have documented more than 2,000 objects since 2018, from furniture and textiles to clothing and accessories. Their work helps preserve our collections and make them accessible for research. Read the latest Collections Unboxed to learn more.
historicnewengland.org
Collections Unboxed: Bowman Cataloguing Project | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
We're back with a special fall edition of Meet Your Site Manager to introduce you to Claire Campbell, our new site manager at Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, CT, and Merwin House in Stockbridge, MA. Read on to learn more about Claire—and where to find the best treats in Connecticut's Quiet Corner.
historicnewengland.org
Meet Your Site Manager: Claire Campbell | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Meet the next generation of museum leaders! This fall, we’re sharing stories from our Next Gen Museum Leaders internship program, generously supported by IMLS. This week, meet Reuben Downey, who interned with our Stopping Stones program.
historicnewengland.org
Next Gen Museum Leaders: Reuben Downey | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
In 1781, Orman Remington purchased his freedom for 100 Spanish milled dollars. Now, a Stopping Stone at Watson Farm in Jamestown, RI, marks the place where Orman lived and labored while enslaved. Mikayla Harden shares his remarkable story in today's blog post.
historicnewengland.org
Orman Remington: Enslavement and Freedom in Jamestown | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Meet the next generation of museum leaders! This fall, we’re sharing stories from our Next Gen Museum Leaders internship program, generously supported by IMLS. This week, meet Tara Leininger, who interned with our Development team.
historicnewengland.org
Next Gen Museum Leaders: Tara Leininger | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
For decades, a giant clam shell found its place among the gardens of Gropius House in Lincoln, MA. It was stolen more than thirty years ago. A recently installed synthetic replica now rests on a salvaged elm stump at the entrance to the house, welcoming visitors as it once did the Gropius family.
historicnewengland.org
The Return of the Gropius House Clam Shell | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Meet the next generation of museum leaders! This fall, we’re sharing stories from our Next Gen Museum Leaders internship program, generously supported by IMLS. This week, meet Grace Ann Arulanandam, who interned at the Eustis Estate in Milton, MA, and is now working on a PhD in art history.
historicnewengland.org
Next Gen Museum Leaders: Grace Ann Arulanandam | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Hand-me-downs carry more than just the history of where they came from. They connect us to the people who wore them before us & encourage us to care for them long after they become ours. Climate Action Intern Jessica Calarese explores how clothing creates connections & finds new life.
historicnewengland.org
Sustaining Our Past: The Culture of Hand-Me-Downs | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Historic photos capture animals as companions, workers, and subjects of curiosity—and the timeless challenge of getting them to sit still! See what recently digitized images reveal about the animals and people behind the camera.
historicnewengland.org
Animals in the Archive | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
A new USPS stamp released today celebrates Sarah Orne Jewett and the Maine landscape that inspired her work. Read on to learn more about Jewett and the South Berwick home where she lived and wrote, now one of Historic New England’s 38 historic sites. www.historicnewengland.org/a-stamp-of-a...
historicnewengland.org
A Stamp of Approval: Celebrating Sarah Orne Jewett | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Three exhibitions. Three distinct perspectives on New England history. A few of the people behind 𝘔𝘺𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺, 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, and 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘋𝘢𝘺𝘴 discuss the objects, research, and stories that shaped each exhibition—and what they reveal about the past.
historicnewengland.org
Behind the Exhibition: Three Ways of Looking at New England History | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Ruben Toledo’s residency at The Historic New England Center is featured in WWD! Explore the story behind his immersive mural and how our collections, community, history, fashion, and design came together to inspire something entirely new. Read more: wwd.com/pop-culture/...
wwd.com
Ruben Toledo’s Mural Captures Historic New England
Ruben Toledo creates a mural for the Historic New England Center opened last June.
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
How can environmental data help care for historic buildings? This spring, intern Geri Roa Kim explored that question at Gropius House, connecting environmental monitoring with preservation records, drawings, and photographs to better understand the home’s history and ongoing care. →
historicnewengland.org
Reading a House in Motion: Environmental Data at Gropius House | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
This child’s ticket stub from Where’s Boston?, created for Boston’s Bicentennial, is one of 20,000+ pieces of ephemera in our collection. Fifty years later, it offers a glimpse into how people experienced the city—and reminds us how everyday objects connect us to the past. #NE250
historicnewengland.org
Ticket to the Past: Reading History Through a Ticket Stub | Historic New England
A child's ticket to an exhibition that closed almost fifty years ago opens a window onto Boston's late twentieth-century history.
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
What makes a postwar suburb historic? Revisit Part II of Jennifer Robinson's 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 magazine to learn how this Garden City, RI, helps tell the story of postwar suburban life and why the community is an important example of preserving the recent past. →
historicnewengland.org
Looking Closer at Garden City: Preserving Rhode Island’s Postwar History | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
What if a neighborhood was designed to have everything you needed? After World War II, Garden City in Cranston, Rhode Island, helped redefine suburban living. Explore Part I of Jennifer Robinson's 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 magazine article. Read more:. →
historicnewengland.org
Garden City: Rhode Island’s City within a City | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
What does it take to keep our historic house museums looking their best? Meet the PCAs who work behind the scenes to clean and protect HNE's collections. Learn how these dedicated team members help safeguard our shared history in the latest edition of 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘜𝘯𝘣𝘰𝘹𝘦𝘥. Hidden Heroes →
historicnewengland.org
Collections Unboxed: The Hidden Heroes of Collections Care | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
When the Quabbin Reservoir was created in the 1930s, more than 2,000 residents were displaced as the towns of Enfield, Dana, Greenwich, and Prescott were flooded to meet Massachusetts' growing water needs.
historicnewengland.org
Donald W. Howe: Preserving the Lost Towns of Massachusetts | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
As we mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, HNE is launching a new Accessibility series in our Property Care White Papers. The first two resources focus on door widths and interior thresholds to help improve access in historic house museums. #ADA36 #ThanksToTheADA
historicnewengland.org
Accessibility and Preservation: A New White Papers Series | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Calling collectors and dealers! Historic New England is seeking submissions for the 2026 Prize for Collecting Works on Paper, honoring collections of books, photographs, manuscripts, prints, drawings, ephemera, and more. Deadline: August 21 → hne.info/CollectorsPr...
hne.info
Prize for Collecting Works on Paper | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Every summer, bobolinks return from a 6,000-mile migration and meadowlarks search for the shrinking grasslands they need to raise their young. Wildlife biologist Justine Fox, shares how at Cogswell's Grant, we are adapting haying practices to give these vulnerable birds a better chance to fledge.
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
In a new Q&A with Antiques and The Arts Weekly, HNE President & CEO Vin Cipolla shares the vision behind the Historic New England Center in Haverhill—bringing collections, exhibitions, conservation, education, and community together under one roof. Read more→
antiquesandthearts.com
Q&A: Vin Cipolla - Antiques And The Arts Weekly
Historic New England CEO and president Vin Cipolla was closely involved as the organization planned the development of the just-opened Historic New England Center in Haverhill, Mass., a future-facing ...
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
HNE's inaugural Artist in Residence begins July 23! Watch internationally acclaimed artist Ruben Toledo create live, contribute to a community artwork, and celebrate the unveiling at The Historic New England Center in Haverhill. JOIN US THIS WEEK → www.historicnewengland.org/visit/events/
Artist Ruben Toledo paints a colorful panel while standing in his studio, surrounded by several of his completed artworks leaning against a wall.Detailed black-and-white illustration by Ruben Toledo featuring a stylized portrait, ornate Victorian-inspired lettering, jewelry, a decorative key, and intricate decorative motifs.Black-and-white portrait of artist Ruben Toledo reclining among large illustrated faces, holding a paintbrush and looking directly at the camera.
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The bright white finish on Arnold House's stone end isn't paint—it's limewash. This traditional coating has long been used to protect historic masonry while allowing moisture to escape, helping the stone and mortar withstand New England's weather.
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
The heat dome is back, so we're cooling off with thoughts of ice cream inspired by this drawing of a planned (but never built) Howard Johnson's Ice Cream Shoppe and Restaurant in Boston. Founded in MA more than 100 years ago, HoJo remains a nostalgic favorite for generations of New Englanders.
historicnewengland.org
28 Flavors | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
New England's history reaches far beyond its borders. 🌍 Library & Archives Coordinator Donna Russo explores how Historic New England's collections have supported museum exhibitions, publications, and research around the world. Read more →
historicnewengland.org
Archival Collections: Connecting New England to the Rest of the World | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Photographs from Historic New England’s Library and Archives document the dismantling of Boston’s Central Artery in 2004, capturing the city as it shifted from an elevated highway system to the urban landscape we see today. →
historicnewengland.org
Dismantling the Central Artery: Photographs of a City in Transition | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Did you catch us on @thecultureshowgbh.bsky.social ? HNE President and CEO Vin Cipolla and 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴: 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 co-curator Michelle Finamore joined Jared Bowen to talk about the new Historic New England Center in Haverhill, MA! (HNE segment begins at 3:45:25)
youtube.com
Boston Public Radio, The Curiosity Desk, & The Culture Show Live Monday, July 6, 2026
YouTube video by GBH News
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
A family group chat filled with Bicentennial photos sparked a question: how have Americans used photography to commemorate the nation’s anniversaries? In a new blog post, archivist Sophia Cos traces the connection between photography and national celebration from 1876 to 2026 →
historicnewengland.org
Capturing America’s Milestone Birthdays | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Since launching our Community Preservation Grant program, Historic New England has supported 85+ organizations across the region. Now it's your turn. Applications are due July 15. Learn more and apply: hne.info/CPG
hne.info
Community Preservation Grant Guidelines | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
"Haverhill’s shoe legacy steps into spotlight with new exhibit. 'Shoe Stories’ is the inaugural exhibit at the brand-new Historic New England Center, located in a former shoe factory in the city’s downtown." via @bostonglobe.com Read more → www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/03/a...
bostonglobe.com
Haverhill’s shoe legacy steps into spotlight with new exhibit - The Boston Globe
"Shoe Stories" is the inaugural exhibit at the brand-new Historic New England Center, located in a former shoe factory in the city’s downtown.
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Before backyard barbecues and fireworks, Americans celebrated the Fourth of July with cannons, bonfires, and speeches that brought communities together. This Independence Day, we’re looking back at how holiday traditions have evolved over 250 years. → www.historicnewengland.org/the-glorious...
historicnewengland.org
The Glorious Fourth | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
As a guide at Gropius House, filmmaker and historian Christopher Brown has created Bauhaus Legacy, an oral history project exploring the life and lasting influence of Walter Gropius through conversations with those who knew him or his work. Read more: www.historicnewengland.org/bauhaus-lega...
historicnewengland.org
Bauhaus Legacy: An Oral History Project | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Today we launch 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘜𝘯𝘣𝘰𝘹𝘦𝘥, a new monthly blog series taking you behind the scenes of Historic New England's collections. Meet Director of Collection Operations Shelley Amarante in our first post. Read more:
historicnewengland.org
Collections Unboxed: A Conversation with Shelley Amarante | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Today on the blog, Historic New England's Director of Sustainability, Joie Grandbois, reflects on Henry David Thoreau's connection to the landscapes of Concord and how time spent in nature can deepen our sense of place and commitment to the environment. Get Outside! →
historicnewengland.org
Sustaining Our Past: Get Outside! | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
This #Juneteenth, we're remembering Tamar of Old Saybrook. Students in Historic New England's Witness Stones Project pieced together the story of Tamar, an enslaved woman whose life survives only in fragments. Their work reminds us that every name recovered is a life remembered.
historicnewengland.org
“But She Was a Mother Too”: Remembering Tamar of Old Saybrook | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Why is Haverhill called the "Queen Slipper City"? At its peak, one out of every ten shoes made in the U.S. came from Haverhill. @wbztv.bsky.social recently explored the city's footwear legacy. Watch the segment, then visit The Historic New England Center and 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴: 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦.
cbsnews.com
Why Haverhill, Massachusetts is known as the "Queen Slipper City"
A new home for Historic New England is getting ready to open its doors in Haverhill.
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
"Couples should know, from the beginning, that their love will be celebrated." This Pride Month, Nicole Skarbek, Historic New England's Director of Private Events, reflects on creating wedding spaces where everyone feels they belong. Every Love Story Belongs →
historicnewengland.org
Creating Wedding Spaces Where Every Love Story Belongs | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
At Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, some of our favorite traditions bring people of all ages together outdoors. We're proud to partner with the Flying Aces Club each year to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and the simple joy of watching model airplanes take flight. Learn more below. →
historicnewengland.org
Hands-On History: Celebrating a Century of Model Airplanes | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
What comes next? As the @dublinseminar.bsky.social marks its 50th anniversary, President Marla Miller reflects on the Seminar's longstanding relationship with HNE and the shared commitment to regional history that has guided both organizations for decades.→
historicnewengland.org
The Dublin Seminar at 50: Imagining New England's Futures | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
HNE is bringing the past into focus through an IMLS-funded initiative to digitize 125K historic negatives dating from the late 19th century to the present. By preserving these fragile originals and making them accessible online, we are expanding access to our vast visual record of NE history.→
historicnewengland.org
Capturing New England: Digitizing Historic New England’s Negative Collection | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
In May 1775, Hannah Quincy urged her brother Samuel not to leave Massachusetts for England. Her letter reveals the personal stakes of the American Revolution—and the vital role women played in shaping political life. Read the story of the Quincy siblings' revolutionary divide. →
historicnewengland.org
Hannah and Samuel Quincy’s Revolutionary Divide | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Love architecture, history, art, gardens, or great stories? HNE's on region-wide Open House is Saturday, June, 6! Explore all 38 historic sites—for free. From seventeenth-century homes and coastal farms to a pink Gothic Revival cottage and a Bauhaus masterpiece, there's something for everyone.
youtu.be
Find Your New Favorite Place!
YouTube video by Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Our Meet Your Site Managers series wraps up just as Open House arrives! Meet Dan Santos, Southern New England Regional Site Administrator. This season, he's excited for community events across RI & Cape Cod—and for Winslow Crocker House's contribution to Yarmouth Port's annual sand sculpture trail.
historicnewengland.org
Meet Your Site Manager: Dan Santos | Historic New England
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Historic New England @historicnewengland.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Historic New England’s sites may span centuries, but today’s visitor experiences are shaped by the people who care for them right now. Meet Peggy Konitzky, Midcoast Maine Site Manager, in our Meet Your Site Managers series as we count down to Open House on June 6. →
historicnewengland.org
Meet Your Site Manager: Peggy Konitzky | Historic New England
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