Back by popular demand, this talk will explore the history of ice harvesting on Jamaica Pond. Before the 19th century, ice was a commodity available only to the very rich and to those who could harvest it themselves. That changed as the ice harvesting industry became increasingly mechanized. New technologies allowed more people to enjoy […]

Open House: Arboretum Entrance Improvement Project Saturday, January 21, 12-3pm Location: Weld Hill Research Building, 1300 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02131 Please join the Arboretum and landscape design firm Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates at an open house to learn about our Entrance Improvement Project to renew and improve the Arboretum's many entrances and provide a […]

What is there to see at the Arboretum after all of the leaves have fallen and before spring flowers start to bloom? Bark! Shaggy bark, mottled bark, striped bark: the Arboretum has it all. Join Horticulturist Rachel Lawlor to see some beautiful bark highlights, learn how to identify some trees by their bark alone, and […]

In her New York Times bestseller Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities, Amy Stewart takes on Mother Nature’s most appalling creations. It’s an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, Stewart presents tales of bloodcurdling botany that […]

Join a participatory, in-person read-aloud of excerpts from Richard Powers’ tree-inspired novel The Overstory hosted by the Arnold Arboretum. The read-aloud will take place on Saturday, January 28, between 1pm and 4pm, within the exhibition of artist Diane Samuels' 160-foot scroll, The Overstory by Richard Powers, which was inspired by and celebrates the Pulitzer-prize winning novel. This is the last chance to see […]

The February Vigil in Support of Black Lives Matter will be held Thursday evening, February 2, from 5:30-6:30 pm on the lawn of the First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain. In lieu of a speaker, we will reflect on the lives of some of the people lost to racist violence whose names we read aloud […]

Katharine Cipolla, Parish Historian, will present a survey of the historic building from her recent book A History of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, The First Century. St. John’s Episcopal Parish was founded in 1839 in central Jamaica Plain. The first chapel was on what is now St. John Street. The parish inherited […]

Vibraphonist Julian Loida and violinist Lucy Little will appear in a duo concert at Hope Central Church, 85 Seaverns Avenue in Jamaica Plain on Saturday evening, February 11 at 8pm.  Listeners can expect an evening of adventurous electro-acoustic sounds that defy easy genre categorization. Watch & Listen: Julian Loida Silver Laquer | Lucy Little Accidentally Inspired Called “one of the Boston music scene's […]

ESNA Housing Committee is hosting a presentation by the Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) on Monday, February 13, 6:30-8 pm online.  This is an opportunity to better understand BLC’s new structure and guidelines about preserving historic buildings, as well as to learn more about the work of the City’s Office of Historic Preservation. This meeting is […]