The Acton Historical Society works to discover, preserve and share facts and artifacts from the rich history of Acton, Massachusetts with the hope of spreading enthusiasm for and knowledge of our town.  Come visit us or contact us to share your own stories of Acton and its people.  We look forward to hearing from you.

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Jenks Library Closed, Future Events Temporarily on Hold

Jenks Library will be closed until further notice because of the coronavirus outbreak. Although library hours are suspended, please do contact AHS with any questions via email (Jenkslibrary@verizon.net) or telephone ( 978 264-0690), and our volunteers will respond.

Future plans will evolve as we know more.  Check here for changes.

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Looking for Things to Do?

Though we can't offer the resources of Jenks Library at the present time, we are working to create additional online content to share with those at home.  Please explore our website, including our newly-expanded online World War 1 exhibit.

Curious About A Town Landmark?

Many of the markers and monuments around town have been photographed and documented.  Check out our resource pages. 

If you know of others that we should include, please let us know!

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Stories from Acton

Our recent blog post discusses the first six Acton women voters.

Some of the earlier blog posts explored:

• West Acton's roller skating rink and roller polo team
• Acton's "Old Chestnut Tree" that was apparently a favorite of Henry David Thoreau
• Aaron Woods, an Acton hermit and supposed miser who became the subject of national news interest twice in the 1870s.
• West Acton's barrel shop before and after the fire of 1913
• John Fletcher, his boot and shoe business, his advocacy for temperance and against slavery, and the large impact he had on Acton, particularly the town center.
• Henry Barker and his cider mill, a topic inspired by trying to identify a large portrait found in a South Acton barn. 
• Yacht Racing in Acton
• Francis Skinner (1797-1865) who grew up in Acton and went off to create a very different life in Boston for his descendants
• Sarah (Faulkner) Skinner who went blind in her later years.
• Dances in Acton
• The New England Sawmill Unit in WW1
• Acton baseball
• Schoolhouse construction and maintenance in the town's earlier days
• The house that sits where Isaac Davis's home once stood
• Ice harvesting
• Clara (Hapgood) Nash, early attorney, teacher, and poet
• Daniel Scarlett, astronomer, historian, and more
  
• John Oliver, Soldier of the Revolution
• Rev. James T. Woodbury and Abolition
• Acton Women's 1895 Vote
  
• Mystery Pictures from Hall Brothers & the Beach Family
• Acton Industries - Vises & Morocco & Gun Powder
• and much more, see lists of  topics and people
  

There's plenty to discover on the blog; check it out!

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