Ashby Historical Society

Blog

  • Revolution 250, Bunker Hill Commemoration

    Revolution 250 Ashby

    Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 11:00 am on the Ashby Town Common, Ashby MA

    Ceremony to commemorate the Ashby Militia’s participation in the Battle of Bunker Hill. The ceremony will include the laying of a wreath at the Revolutionary War soldiers monument, a salute by the Townsend Militia and the Ashburnham Light Artillery and a remembrance of the Ashby Militia and their role in this pivotal battle for American independence by Pastor Ken Johnson.

    Following the ceremony visitors can tour Ashby’s historic town center and the Old Burial Ground behind the First Parish Church where some members of the Ashby Militia are buried.

    Please arrive early as the ceremony will start promptly at 11:00.

    Parking is in front of American Legion & Congregational Church, in front of the Library, along South Rd and next to the Old Engine House. Parking along Common Rd next to the Common is reserved for handicapped and seniors with limited mobility. Do not park in front of Ashby Market. If needed, overflow parking is one block west on Rt. 119 in front of Town Hall and Ashby Elementary School.

  • Revolution 250, Open House

    Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Old Engine House, 846 Main St., Ashby.

    Open house at Ashby Historical Society featuring our collection of Revolutionary War artifacts and documents from the Ashby Militia. Included will be the Militia’s orderly books covering May 1775 to July 1775 during the beginning of the siege of Boston and the Battle of Bunker Hill, A Charleville musket used the the war, and Abijah Wyman’s wallet with Continental currency.

  • Looking Ahead

    April-May, 2025. Open an exhibit of Ashby’s agricultural history in the Grange Hall. This will be a chance to see some of our agricultural pieces that have been in storage for many years because they are too large to display at the Old Engine House.

    June 17, 2025. The 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Ashby Militia was in the thick of the battle and lost 2 men that day. We are looking for ideas to honor the Ashby men who participated. Often overlooked are the women who managed home and farm during the spring and summer of 1775 while the militia was laying siege to Boston.

    June 21, 2025. Ashby Fest offers something for everyone with a fun-filled day of activities, entertainment, food, and more.  AHS will be there with fried dough.

  • Annual Meeting

    The Annual Meeting program is Metal Detecting for Artifacts presented by Bill Taylor. Bill has spent a number of years metal detecting for antique artifacts. He’ll discuss where to increase your chances of finding interesting artifacts in Ashby such as antique buttons, flatware, and other usual and unusual items from days gone by. October 24th at 7 pm in the Congregational Church, lower level. There will be a short business meeting followed by the presentation.

  • Band Concert on the Common

    July 24th we will be manning the grill serving hot dogs, hamburgers and cold drinks at the Ashby Band Concert. Enjoy the Concert on the Common every Wednesday beginning July 10th! Food service begins at 5:30 pm and the Concert at 7:00 pm.

  • Annual Pie Sale 2024

    Calling all Pie Bakers! The Ashby Historical Society is seeking volunteers for our Annual Fourth of July Pie Sale. We need 8 to 10 generous bakers to contribute a homemade 9-inch Apple, Blueberry, or Strawberry Rhubarb pie. If you can help, please call Nancy at 978-386-5562 by Tuesday, June 18th. Pies should be dropped off at the Old Engine House on Saturday, June 29th between 9 and 10 AM. Your support is greatly appreciated, whether by baking or purchasing a pie!

  • Town Common Tour

    The Town Common Tour will be held on Saturday, May 11th from 10 – 1 pm. Learn about the history and buildings in Ashby’s town center. There are 14 sites on the tour and there will be interpreters at all the major sites. The tour is self paced and you can start anywhere. Brochures will be at the Old Engine House. There is no charge for the tour but donations are encouraged.

  • Yard Sale Donations

    Accepting Donations Until June 2nd.

    Donations needed for AHS yard sale. Do you have clutter? Are you laden with items you longer need? Antique, vintage, retro, used, old-timey stuff? Donate to AHS for our table during the Town Wide Yard Sale on June 3rd. Drop off or we will pick up.

    Call 386-5304 to make arrangements. All proceeds go to Ashby Historical Society. Sorry, we don’t accept books, furniture or clothes.

    This has been a good fund raiser for AHS thanks you everyone who donated. Consider donating a few items today.

  • Ashby Items & Artifacts

    Sunday, October 16 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at the Old Engine House. A special chance to see historical items and artifacts from private collections. At least 4 members are bringing in Ashby items from their personal collections. They’ll be there to show and talk about them. We’ll also have on display the town sled. Bring the family and get a photo on this historic sled.

    Showing items from their collections will be Pat Leach, Wayne Stacy, Ken Johnson, and Jim Wiswell. Anyone is welcome to display historic items from Ashby. Contact Alan at tel. 386-7981 or email master471@gmail.com

  • Oral History Premier

    Film Premier and Celebration, Featuring Bob Bedard, Sunday, October 9th @1PM at the Library!
    Ashby Oral Histories has recorded the first video. On October 9th at 1PM we will have a showing of the interview and a kick off event for the whole project. Our first interview is with Bob Bedard who shares his wealth of Ashby stories with his trademark humor.
    The kick off will serve refreshments to celebrate the the project and Bob’s Birthday. 
    Many thanks to all of the folks who have worked so hard on getting the efforts of preserving and archiving Ashby’s history underway! They have scheduled more interviews and plan to have the interviews available for everyone to watch and share. If you know anyone who should get on the list to be interviewed, or want to volunteer to be interviewed, please let us know.