Summer Evening at Otis House

Ease into summer with a relaxed and elegant evening on the front terrace of the Otis House. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Otis House’s daring move in 1925, when it was lifted from its foundation and rolled back 42 feet to make way for the widening of Cambridge Street. Join us to toast this remarkable feat of preservation that shaped the Beacon Hill and West End neighborhoods as we know them today. Celebrate this milestone with beverages, live jazz music, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and a spotlight talk bringing the house’s dramatic journey to life. Hosted by Historic New England and the <a href="https://www.bhcivic.org/">Beacon Hill Civic Association</a>. Please call 617-994-5920 for more information. Historic New England and Beacon Hill Civic Association Members $60; Nonmember $65. <a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/account/login">Log in</a> or <a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/get-involved/memberships/">Join now</a> to have your discount applied at checkout. Rain Date: Friday, June 13, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Accessibility Considerations: The site is not equipped with ramps, elevators, or lifts and the house is not air-conditioned. ABOUT THE OTIS HOUSE Otis House is the last surviving mansion in Bowdoin Square in Boston’s West End neighborhood. Charles Bulfinch designed the house for politician Harrison Gray Otis, Sally Foster Otis, and their young family. Tours include the family’s life in the Federal era and the later history of the house, when it served as a clinic and a middle-class boarding house.

Otis House Museum

Tour the Lyman Estate

The Lyman Estate, also known as “the Vale,” is a National Historic Landmark and one of the finest U.S. examples of a country estate following eighteenth-century English naturalistic design. In 1793 shipping merchant Theodore Lyman commissioned famed architect Samuel McIntire to design and build a Federal-style house for his family. The thirty-seven acres include beautifully preserved gardens and historic greenhouses. Hear the story of over 150 years of history at the mansion, which is used today as a venue for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/visit/property-rentals/lyman-estate/">weddings and corporate events</a>. Its architectural features include a graceful oval parlor and elegant ballroom, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x79u230bFU">can be seen</a>&nbsp;in the 2019 film adaptation of&nbsp;Little Women. Tours are 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00.&nbsp;Purchase tickets online or on site: $15 adult, $13 senior, $7 student, Free for Historic New England members. There is ample on-site parking for cars in the large lot past the mansion. Please enter through the front door of the mansion to begin your visit. Landscape Tours take place the 3rd Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. and the working-class history tour, Life of a Laborer, takes place on the same day at 11:30 a.m. Visit our website for tickets and more information. Stop by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate-greenhouses/">Lyman Estate Greenhouses</a>&nbsp;for beautiful plants and expert advice. For group reservations, please call 617-994-5912 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lymanestate@historicnewengland.org">email Lyman Estate</a>.

Lyman Estate

Lyman Estate Landscape Tour

Walk the rolling paths and garden trails of the 37-acre Lyman estate with us. Landscape and horticulture were always integral to the estate. This site was home to pleasure grounds, formal gardens, a working farm, greenhouses, and woodlands for over four generations of the Lyman family. See how the grounds have changed over time and explore that which has remained intact in spite of it.&nbsp; Member $15; Nonmember $20. The Lyman Estate is located at 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, Mass. The parking lot is just past the mansion with additional parking along the entrance road to the property. For more information about the program, please call 617-994-5912 or visit <a href="historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate/">HistoricNewEngland.org/Property/Lyman-Estate/</a>.

Life of a Laborer, a Working-Class History Tour

From cooking meals to operating a factory loom, laborers made the Lyman family’s life on a grand estate possible. Hundreds of workers were employed in occupations like gardeners, maids, and farm hands during the Lyman Estate’s 150+ years of operation. Thousands more held positions in industries that helped the family prosper financially, like the textile mills in Waltham and Holyoke that the Lyman’s invested in. Explore the working-class history of the Lyman Estate and visit areas of the house not usually on view during this new specialty tour. Member $15; Nonmember $20 Life of a Laborer, a Working-Class History Tour&nbsp;will also be offered on&nbsp;<a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/23835/laborer-tour-july">July 19</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/23835/laborer-tour-aug">August 16</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/23835/laborer-tour-sep">September 20</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/23835/laborer-tour-oct">October 18</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/23835/laborer-tour-nov">November 15</a>. The Lyman Estate is located at 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, Mass. The parking lot is just past the mansion with additional parking along the entrance road to the property. For more information about the program, please call 617-994-5912 or visit <a href="historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate/">HistoricNewEngland.org/Property/Lyman-Estate/</a>.

The Lyman Estate, also known as “the Vale,” is a National Historic Landmark and one of the finest U.S. examples of a country estate following eighteenth-century English naturalistic design. In 1793 shipping merchant Theodore Lyman commissioned famed architect Samuel McIntire to design and build a Federal-style house for his family. The thirty-seven acres include beautifully preserved gardens and historic greenhouses. Hear the story of over 150 years of history at the mansion, which is used today as a venue for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/visit/property-rentals/lyman-estate/">weddings and corporate events</a>. Its architectural features include a graceful oval parlor and elegant ballroom, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x79u230bFU">can be seen</a>&nbsp;in the 2019 film adaptation of&nbsp;Little Women. Tours are 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00.&nbsp;Purchase tickets online or on site: $15 adult, $13 senior, $7 student, Free for Historic New England members. There is ample on-site parking for cars in the large lot past the mansion. Please enter through the front door of the mansion to begin your visit. Landscape Tours&nbsp;take place the 3rd Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. and the working-class history tour,&nbsp;Life of a Laborer, takes place on the same day at 11:30 a.m. Visit our website for tickets and more information. Stop by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate-greenhouses/">Lyman Estate Greenhouses</a>&nbsp;for beautiful plants and expert advice. For group reservations, please call 617-994-5912 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lymanestate@historicnewengland.org">email Lyman Estate</a>.

From cooking meals to operating a factory loom, laborers made the Lyman family’s life on a grand estate possible. Hundreds of workers were employed in occupations like gardeners, maids, and farm hands during the Lyman Estate’s 150+ years of operation. Thousands more held positions in industries that helped the family prosper financially, like the textile mills in Waltham and Holyoke that the Lyman’s invested in. Explore the working-class history of the Lyman Estate and visit areas of the house not usually on view during this new specialty tour. Member $15; Nonmember $20 Life of a Laborer, a Working-Class History Tour&nbsp;will also be offered on&nbsp;<a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/23835/laborer-tour-aug">August 16</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/23835/laborer-tour-sep">September 20</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/23835/laborer-tour-oct">October 18</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/23835/laborer-tour-nov">November 15</a>. The Lyman Estate is located at 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, Mass. The parking lot is just past the mansion with additional parking along the entrance road to the property. For more information about the program, please call 617-994-5912 or visit <a href="historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate/">HistoricNewEngland.org/Property/Lyman-Estate/</a>.

From cooking meals to operating a factory loom, laborers made the Lyman family’s life on a grand estate possible. Hundreds of workers were employed in occupations like gardeners, maids, and farm hands during the Lyman Estate’s 150+ years of operation. Thousands more held positions in industries that helped the family prosper financially, like the textile mills in Waltham and Holyoke that the Lyman’s invested in. Explore the working-class history of the Lyman Estate and visit areas of the house not usually on view during this new specialty tour. Member $15; Nonmember $20 Life of a Laborer, a Working-Class History Tour&nbsp;will also be offered on&nbsp;<a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/23835/laborer-tour-oct">October 18</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/23835/laborer-tour-nov">November 15</a>. The Lyman Estate is located at 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, Mass. The parking lot is just past the mansion with additional parking along the entrance road to the property. For more information about the program, please call 617-994-5912 or visit <a href="historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate/">HistoricNewEngland.org/Property/Lyman-Estate/</a>.

From cooking meals to operating a factory loom, laborers made the Lyman family’s life on a grand estate possible. Hundreds of workers were employed in occupations like gardeners, maids, and farm hands during the Lyman Estate’s 150+ years of operation. Thousands more held positions in industries that helped the family prosper financially, like the textile mills in Waltham and Holyoke that the Lyman’s invested in. Explore the working-class history of the Lyman Estate and visit areas of the house not usually on view during this new specialty tour. Member $15; Nonmember $20 Life of a Laborer, a Working-Class History Tour&nbsp;will also be offered on&nbsp;<a href="https://my.historicnewengland.org/23835/laborer-tour-nov">November 15</a>. The Lyman Estate is located at 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, Mass. The parking lot is just past the mansion with additional parking along the entrance road to the property. For more information about the program, please call 617-994-5912 or visit <a href="historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate/">HistoricNewEngland.org/Property/Lyman-Estate/</a>.

From cooking meals to operating a factory loom, laborers made the Lyman family’s life on a grand estate possible. Hundreds of workers were employed in occupations like gardeners, maids, and farm hands during the Lyman Estate’s 150+ years of operation. Thousands more held positions in industries that helped the family prosper financially, like the textile mills in Waltham and Holyoke that the Lyman’s invested in. Explore the working-class history of the Lyman Estate and visit areas of the house not usually on view during this new specialty tour. Member $15; Nonmember $20 The Lyman Estate is located at 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, Mass. The parking lot is just past the mansion with additional parking along the entrance road to the property. For more information about the program, please call 617-994-5912 or visit <a href="historicnewengland.org/property/lyman-estate/">HistoricNewEngland.org/Property/Lyman-Estate/</a>.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.