Ashby Historical Society

Band Concert on the Common
2025-07-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-23 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Ashby Town Common, 825 Main St, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
A real old-time band concert. Traditional brass and woodwind band plays favorites from traditional marches to pop adaptations on Ashby’s historic Town Common. Hotdogs & hamburgers while they last. Bring your own chair or blanket. This event is weather dependent. Check scheduling if the weather is questionable. Cancellation is announced the same day by 3 pm.

Freedom Summer; An Author Discussion
2025-07-29 18:30 - 20:00 | Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
Join author Bruce Watson as he discusses Freedom Summer; the Savage Season of 1964 that made Mississippi burn and America a Democracy.

Farmer's Market
2025-07-27 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-13 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-06-22 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-06-08 10:00 - 13:00 | Ashby Elementary School, 911 Main St, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
Ashby Farmer’s Market, 10 – 1 pm at Ashby Elementary School parking lot.

Voices & Votes - Gala Opening
2025-07-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
We’re thrilled to announce our Smithsonian Exhibition has arrived
Gala Opening: Saturday, July 26th at 2:00 PM
Everyone is invited to this community celebration!
Featuring:

A special Ashby Exhibit curated by the Ashby Historical Society
Guest speakers from Mass Humanities, whose generous sponsorship made this exhibit possible

Want to get involved?
Become a docent! Sign up at the front desk or online at:

Voices & Votes
2025-07-26 00:00 - 2025-09-06 00:00 | Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
The Smithsonian exhibit “Voices and Votes” that explores American democracy from multiple perspectives is coming to Ashby Free Public Library. Topics include the origins of American democracy; the struggles to obtain and keep the vote; the machinery of democracy; the right to petition and protest beyond the ballot; and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Rather than focusing on politics, “Voices and Votes” prompts viewers to think about four key questions:

Who gets to participate in democracy?
How do you get people to participate in democracy?
Is there a way for citizens to participate beyond the ballot?
What are the basic rights and responsibilities of citizens?

Sponsored by:
The Smithsonian
Mass Cultural Council
Mass Humanities Museum on Main Street
Ashby Free Public Library
Open during regular Library hours. https://www.ashbylibrary.org/

Band Concert on the Common
2025-07-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Ashby Town Common, 825 Main St, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
A real old time band concert. Traditional brass and woodwind band plays favorites from traditional marches to pop adaptations on Ashby’s historic Town Common. Hotdogs & hamburgers while they last. Bring your own chair or blanket. This event is weather dependent. Check scheduling if weather is questionable. Cancellation is announced same day by 3 pm.

Band Concert on the Common
2025-07-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Ashby Town Common, 825 Main St, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
A real old time band concert. Traditional brass and woodwind band plays favorites from traditional marches to pop adaptations on Ashby’s historic Town Common. Hotdogs & hamburgers while they last. Food vendors open at 6 pm. Bring your own chair or blanket. This event is weather dependent. Check scheduling if weather is questionable. Cancellation is announced same day by 3 pm.

Independence Day Bonfire
2025-07-03 16:00 - 22:00 | Allen Field, 530 West Rd, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
Celebrate American independence at Ashby’s really big bonfire! Food, games, music. Hamburgers & hotdogs as well as other food venders. Band concert at 7 pm. Bonfire at dark (about 9 pm). Bring your own chairs and blanket. Free admission. All ages welcome. This event is held rain or shine.

Ashby Fest
2025-06-21 09:00 - 15:00 | Ashby Town Common, 825 Main St, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
Celebrate summer with Ashby Fest! Live music, food, games, crafts, petting zoo. Free admission.

Bunker Hill Commemoration Ceremony
2025-06-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Ashby Town Common, 825 Main St, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
Ceremony on the Common 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. More information.

Fun Fused Glass
2025-06-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
Join us to make glass pendants or magnets. This class was a huge hit last year! registration is required as space is limited. Sign up at the library or email hperry@cwmars.org.

Sultana: A Journey Through the Roots of American Popular Music
2025-06-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
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This Week At the Ashby Free Public Library
Join us at the Library this Week

May 12

READ IN APP

Hi Friends,
Ashby is Spring Cleaning!
All across town, folks are clearing out the old and passing along treasures to new homes. At the Ashby Free Public Library, we’re joining the fun with a Presale Book Sale on Thursday and Friday, followed by our Main Book Sale on Saturday — all part of the Townwide Yard Sale weekend!
After the yard sales wrap up, we’ll gladly accept any leftover donations. Our Homeschool group is hosting a fundraiser in collaboration with the Friends of the Library, and as part of our MassDEP Reduce and Reuse Grant, reusable items will be sent to Savers, who will provide a donation in return.
It’s a win-win — clean out your space, support the Library, and keep good stuff out of the landfill!
Tuesday
Music and Motion at 10:30

Music and Motion is back. Try this new program out again at the library!
Lego Club at 4

Photo by Daniel K Cheung on Unsplash

Wednesday
Right Start Play Group at 10:30

Thursday
Art For Everyone at 5:30

Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash

Gaming Club 6:30

Town Wide Yard Sale
Presale for Members of the Friends of the Ashby Free Public Library, Other Town Wide Yardsale holders, and Members of the Ashby Free Public Library Fund Thursday and Friday evening 5-8

Around Town

Thank you Kelly Leonard!

Mark your Calendar

Sultana: A Journey Through the Roots of American Popular Music

Thursday, June 5, 6:30pm
A Journey Through the Roots of American Popular Music” by Jon Waterman is a unique performance experience combining music history, storytelling, and original songs inspired by his research. Waterman successfully transforms fascinating tales from history into an evening-length performance that feels personal, contemporary, and politically relevant. A must see for anyone interested in American history or American music!”
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Ashby Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Concert on Ashby's Whitney Organ
2025-05-31 15:00 - 17:00 | Ashby First Parish Church, 20 Common Rd, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
Free concert on the First Parish Church’s newly restored Whitney Pipe Organ. The Jonas P. Whitney family building pipe organs in Ashby in 1841 and sold them to churches throughout the region. The First Parish organ was installed in 1850. It is safe to say that it is the only remaining Whitney pipe organ still in use. This is a rare opportunity for you to hear this historic organ played by Wesley Harrison Hall, an accomplished organist with a passion for translating the music of the past into the context of today’s audience.

American Legion Chicken Barbecue
2025-05-26 15:00 - 17:00 | Ashby American Legion, 35 New Ipswich Rd, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
Pre-sale tickets only
Chicken BBQ is back! $15 per plate
Chicken halfMashed potatoesGreen beansColeslawCranberry sauceDinner roll
Tickets can be reserved or purchased in person, by phone, or via email/Facebook messenger.
Tickets must be reserved no later than 5/23/2025

Memorial Day Parade
2025-05-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Ashby Town Common, 825 Main St, Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
Honor and Remember.

Ashby & the American Revolution
2025-05-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Old Engine House, 846 Main St., Ashby, MA, 01431, United States
Open House at the Old Engine House. See artifacts from the Ashby Militia and the early days of the American Revolution with emphasis on the Ashby Militia’s participation in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Staff will available to discuss the importance of various items and documents including the orderly book which was carried during the Battle.

Ashby Town Wide Yard Sale
2025-05-17 09:00 - 13:00 | MA
Do You love a yardsale! Some of the addresses on the map are well off the beaten path, ie Wares Road. So to make sure you have all of the last minute addresses make sure you are subscribed to the Ashby Library Newsletter. This is the best way to make sure you have the most current map because the Facebook Algorithm makes no sense. https://ashbylibrary.substack.com/ Sponsored by Friends of Ashby Public Library.

AHS Directors Meeting
2025-04-15 13:30 - 14:30 | MA
Regular AHS Directors meeting in the Library.
