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Stories from Acton


Acton's Disappearing Schoolhouses
Acton's early schooling decisions and the history of the North Acton school district and its schoolhouses are described.
May 16, 2018


The Not- Isaac Davis House
The house at the site of the Captain Isaac Davis farm is often mistakenly assumed to be the house he lived in.
Apr 13, 2018


Daniel Henry Scarlett, Man of Many Talents
D. Henry Scarlett, amateur astronomer and historian, saved and shared Acton memories.
Mar 23, 2018


John Oliver's Farm
The location of John Oliver's North Acton farm was specified in a map researched by Henry Scarlett.
Mar 5, 2018


John Oliver, Revolutionary War Soldier
John Oliver's Revolutionary War service is unusually well-documented. Ongoing research is trying to discover the rest of his story.
Feb 23, 2018


Abolition and Reverend Woodbury
Disagreements within the anti-slavery movement showed up in Acton in the 1830s-1850s, especially during the ministry of James. T. Woodbury.
Feb 3, 2018


Ice Harvesting in Acton
Research into the process of ice harvesting and the ice industry in Acton
Jan 6, 2018


Unexpected Personality in Old Photographs
Digitizing and enlarging old photographs revealed details and personality that had been missed.
Dec 11, 2017


Jonathan Hosmer in Bennington
Jonathan Hosmer (III) died in military service in 1777. Details of his service were researched.
Nov 11, 2017


Revolutionary War Service, Jonathan Hosmer
Three generations of Acton Jonathan Hosmers in 1775 make it hard to distinguish who actually served in the military, but research has helped to sort it out.
Nov 1, 2017


A Marker for Revolutionary War Service
A Sons of the American Revolution Marker in Woodlawn Cemetery in Acton causes confusion about wartime service by Jonathan Hosmer.
Oct 24, 2017


Acton's Powder Plots and Mishaps
Acton's powder-making industry provided plenty of excitement in 1898 and 1899.
Sep 1, 2017


Sidney J. Edwards and Edwards Square
Information about WW1 casualty Sidney J. Edwards and why Acton has a square named for him.
Aug 1, 2017


The Glorious Fourth in Acton
Independence Day celebrations in Acton in the late 1800s and early 1900s could be surprisingly exciting.
Jul 3, 2017


The Disappearing WW1 Cannon
The fate of Acton's WW1 memorial cannon was discovered in a collection of letters.
Jun 14, 2017


The Misses Turner Revisited
Photos in the Acton Historical Society may be from the family of the singing Turner Sisters.
May 16, 2017


Adventures at the Watering Trough
History of watering troughs in Acton, MA
Apr 21, 2017


Patriots' Day 1895, Big Happenings in Acton
Acton, MA hosted an ambitious Patriots' Day celebration on April 19, 1895.
Apr 2, 2017
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