Restoration of the Hosmer House
By 1976, the Hosmer House, known then as the Todd House, had fallen into disrepair. Some members of the community saw the value in saving the house. The Acton Historical Society took responsibility for restoring the house and creating a museum. The slideshow below shows some of their challenges. The town of Acton and the Society owe much to the folks who generously offered their time, resources, and imagination to bring the Hosmer House back to life.
The Hosmer House Now
Celebrating over 40 years of stewardship, the Society maintains the Hosmer House Museum, sharing the history of the house and of the people of Acton. The interior of the house can be seen on "Museum is Open" days and during special events. Check our home page and our Events and Exhibits page for more information.
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Maintaining Our Old House
Keeping an old house in good condition is an ongoing and costly responsibility. We are very grateful to our members and other donors for making it possible to maintain the Hosmer House museum and our Jenks Library archives.
Recent Projects
Two recent projects have helped to preserve the Hosmer House and its surroundings. Thanks to the efforts of our Board members, the town's Community Preservation Committee, and the Acton Town Meeting, Community Preservation Act, for approval of funding for a new roof for the Hosmer House and for restoration of its landscape.
When it became clear that the Hosmer House roof needed help, donors stepped in to pay for repairs. Community Preservation Act funding then allowed us to replacement the roof of the Hosmer House museum.
In 2019, the campus at 300 Main Street, home of our Hosmer House Museum and associated buildings, underwent a renovation of its landscape. Much-needed parking was added for the safety of our visitors, invasive plants were removed from the side garden, and trees that threatened the house were removed, among other improvements. The final product is an opened-up landscape, much more representative of the time when the home was the site of a working farm. See photos of the process below.
Two recent projects have helped to preserve the Hosmer House and its surroundings. Thanks to the efforts of our Board members, the town's Community Preservation Committee, and the Acton Town Meeting, Community Preservation Act, for approval of funding for a new roof for the Hosmer House and for restoration of its landscape.
When it became clear that the Hosmer House roof needed help, donors stepped in to pay for repairs. Community Preservation Act funding then allowed us to replacement the roof of the Hosmer House museum.
In 2019, the campus at 300 Main Street, home of our Hosmer House Museum and associated buildings, underwent a renovation of its landscape. Much-needed parking was added for the safety of our visitors, invasive plants were removed from the side garden, and trees that threatened the house were removed, among other improvements. The final product is an opened-up landscape, much more representative of the time when the home was the site of a working farm. See photos of the process below.
Goats at the Hosmer House
As preparation for the larger project of improving the landscaping around the Hosmer House, the Acton Historical Society was visited in the fall of 2018 by a crew of four goats. Their "goatscaping" work was the subject of a recent video produced by Acton TV featuring AHS co-president Bill Klauer.
As preparation for the larger project of improving the landscaping around the Hosmer House, the Acton Historical Society was visited in the fall of 2018 by a crew of four goats. Their "goatscaping" work was the subject of a recent video produced by Acton TV featuring AHS co-president Bill Klauer.
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