Acton History Online
Explore Acton's history wherever you are. The Acton Historical Society has been at work making its collections and Acton stories available online. We will be adding more over the coming months; please check back.
Recent Presentations
Ice Harvesting in Acton and New England
The story of ice harvesting in New England is actually multiple stores: that of a local resource necessary for food preservation and dairy farming; the changing technologies for harvesting ice and refrigeration, and the development of a worldwide consumer market. This presentation looks at the history, tools, harvesting methods, personalities, and changes in the market for ice and refrigeration. It also compares Acton’s local ice industry with Wenham's development of a world-wide trade. Presented by Larry Kerpelman and Doug Herrick.
The story of ice harvesting in New England is actually multiple stores: that of a local resource necessary for food preservation and dairy farming; the changing technologies for harvesting ice and refrigeration, and the development of a worldwide consumer market. This presentation looks at the history, tools, harvesting methods, personalities, and changes in the market for ice and refrigeration. It also compares Acton’s local ice industry with Wenham's development of a world-wide trade. Presented by Larry Kerpelman and Doug Herrick.
Scenes of ice harvesting from Ice House Pond in East Acton, c. 1950
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George C. Wright – Acton Coffee Pioneer
Bill Klauer did our Society's first Zoom history presentation on George C. Wright, a farm boy and shoemaker who became an expert coffee buyer and eventually the president of the largest coffee and spice company in New England. His generosity left a lasting mark on the town of Acton. If you missed it, read more about George C. Wright. |
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Our Newest Stories
An overlooked slide gave us a picture of the Acton football team of 1897-98 with identified players. Learn More... 
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After decades of struggle, Acton women were finally allowed full voting rights in 1920. Learn More... 
Charles Heywood, railroad executive, inventor and owner of 2 Acton mills, and wife Ann were philanthropists. Learn More... 
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A project to identify early black and mixed race Acton residents from 1735 through the Civil War. Learn More... 
Profiles of the six South Acton women were the first female voters registered in Acton. Learn More... 
West Acton's roller skating rink and roller polo team added excitement to village life. Learn More... |
Resources for Acton Historical Research
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Online Exhibits
Some highlights from our collections, expanding on our November 1918 exhibit commemorating the end of World War 1. Explore... |
Revisit our exhibit featuring hats and head-coverings in our collection and others lent by generous individuals. Explore... |
More Stories from Acton
John Fletcher, his boot and shoe business, advocacy for temperance and against slavery, and impact on Acton. Learn More... 
The enterprising Hanson Littlefield built a hall in West Acton for his store and other ventures. Learn More... 
Aaron Woods, hermit and supposed miser, was the subject of national news interest twice in the 1870s. Learn More... 
Photos found in a West Acton home, probably from the Beach Family & Halls Brothers Wooden Ware Co. Learn more... 
The morocco factory in South Acton was a large employer in the 1890s. Its site was near the Assabet Rail Trail. Learn More... |
Clara (Hapgood) Nash, the first woman admitted to the bar in New England, was also an Acton teacher and poet. Learn More... 
A letter led to information about Sarah (Faulkner) Skinner who went blind in her later years. Learn More... 
Paintings in our collection led us to discover artist Annie Payson and explore her story. Learn More... 
Researching F. J. Taylor, South Acton photographer turned up his wife Margaret, also a photographer. Learn More... 
Captain Joseph Brown, veteran of Bunker Hill and Saratoga, served the town of Acton for many years. Learn More... 
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Tracing the history of school buildings in Acton is challenging. Here, a look at the north and east side schools. Learn More... 
Francis Skinner grew up in Acton but created a very different life in Boston for his descendants. Learn More... 
Incidents at the town's watering troughs and how perceptions of the troughs changed over time. Learn More...
Stories and pictures from the New England Sawmill Unit who went to Scotland in World War 1. Learn More... |