Help Us Keep Lincoln’s History Alive in 2026

Dear Friends of the Lincoln Historical Society

Because of supporters like you, the Lincoln Historical Society has had a remarkable year—and we are excited to build on that momentum in 2026. Your support makes all this possible!

In January, we launched our new website, which has quickly become a trusted resource for Lincoln residents and history enthusiasts far beyond our town.

In just a few months, it has welcomed nearly 5,000 visitors and more than 8,000 page views, drawing interest from across the country and around the world. 

Free, Public Programming—All Year Long

With your support, in 2025 the Lincoln Historical Society hosted, co-hosted, and promoted 16 free events open to the public. At a time when access to thoughtful, local history matters more than ever, LHS remains committed to offering programming that is free, inclusive and rooted in community.

What follows is a snapshot of the range and depth of programming your support made possible:

FEBRUARY

• Life in Lincoln 1775 — An immersive colonial-era event at Bemis Hall featuring 18th century music, dancing, and living history demonstrations that let participants step back into daily life in the 1770s (in partnership with the Lincoln Minute Men and the Bemis Lecture Series).

• Lincoln250 Series: Entangled Lives Book Talk — A conversation with author Don Hafner about his recent book on Lincoln’s Black community in 1775 (in partnership with the Lincoln Public Library).

MARCH

• The Great Debate — A reenactment at Town Meeting in 2025, of Lincoln’s Town Meeting in 1775, bringing to life the town’s spirited debate on the eve of Revolution (in partnership with the Lincoln Minute Men, the Town Moderator, the Select Board, and Lincoln250).  

APRIL

• Alarm & Muster — A dramatic living-history event reenacting how Lincoln’s Minute Men sprang into action on April 19, 1775, complete with drum and fife, honoring the urgency and courage of those moments (in partnership with the Lincoln Minute Men).

• Dawn Tribute and March to Concord — A moving early-morning ceremony at Bemis Burying Ground followed by a ceremonial march to Concord in remembrance of the patriots’ walk to battle (in partnership with the Lincoln Minute Men).

• Old Burying Ground Tribute — A solemn annual remembrance, honoring both American and British soldiers of the Revolution who are buried in Lincoln, followed by a reception for all at the Pierce House (in partnership with the Lincoln Minute Men).

MAY

• The Honorable Stephen Breyer — A special evening featuring a conversation with David Brinkley and retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer in reflection on history and civic life (in partnership with the Walden Woods Project, the Bemis Lecture Series, and Lincoln250). 

• LHS Annual Meeting & Film Screening — A community gathering with films exploring under-told stories of women in history, accompanied by discussion and celebration of LHS's work.

JUNE

• Lincoln Feast & Faire — A festive all-day community celebration at Pierce Park with music, food, and activities celebrating Lincoln’s heritage (in partnership with Lincoln250).

SEPTEMBER

• Lincoln Agriculture in 1775: Codman Farm — A living-history exploration of Lincoln’s agricultural past, including hay wagon rides and a lecture on the history of Codman Farm (in partnership with Codman Community Farms and Historic New England).

• Lincoln Agriculture in 1775: Flint Farm — A hands-on look at Flint Farm’s historic working landscape, including a lecture on the Flint history, a barn tour, and pumpkin patch wagon rides for families (in partnership with the Flint Family and Lincoln250). 

OCTOBER

• Tales From the Graves — An evocative evening of storytelling where historical figures from 1775 share haunting and inspiring tales of life and loss (in partnership with the Lincoln Minute Men and the Middlesex County 4-H Fifes & Drums).

NOVEMBER

• Love & Loss After Wounded Knee Book Talk — A compelling presentation by the author, exploring an extraordinary interracial marriage, weaving broader American history into Lincoln’s own past (in partnership with the Lincoln Public Library).

Every one of these programs was free and open to all.

Ongoing Programs & Projects Include:

• Collecting oral history interviews with contemporary women of Lincoln.

• Restoring and transferring archived video presentations about Lincoln’s history for public online access.

• Creating ways to engage with Lincoln’s rich history through online resources such as YouTube, interactive maps, and the expansion of digital material hosted on the LHS website.

• Expanding the publications and free resources available to the public in our virtual bookstore.

Powered by Community Support

The Lincoln Historical Society receives no town funding. Everything we offer—programming, digital resources, and educational outreach—is made possible by people like you who attend events, purchase books, volunteer their time, and give generously.

Your year-end gift helps ensure that programs like these—and new ones now in development—remain free and open to all in 2026. We invite you to help sustain and extend our efforts to Keep Lincoln’s History Alive.

How You Can Help:

Your support ensures that Lincoln’s history remains accessible and alive:

Donate to support our free public programming

Become a member & strengthen our community

Volunteer & help bring history to life

Learn more at:
LincolnHistoricalSociety.org

Thank you for being part of the Lincoln Historical Society community. We truly could not do this without you!

With sincere appreciation,
The Lincoln Historical Society