High Tea & History

In collaboration with Andover Senior Center, this monthly lecture series is free and open to the public. Drawing inspiration from the 104 Stories published in the Andover Townsman, each program highlights a recent article and invites the author to attend and discuss the topic more broadly. Launched in the fall of 2010, past programs have included Bernice Haggerty recalling dances at Balmoral Spa, Lorraine DeLucia sharing the history of Andover’s cinemas, and Andover Bookstore staff describing their institutions 200+ year history.

The next High Tea & History’s  will include the following:

Harriet Beecher Stowe and Christmas-Wednesday, December 19th at 2:00 p.m. at the Andover Historical Society.
Join Bonnie Mason as she discusses Christmas and Harriet Beecher Stowe.  In Brunswick, Maine, Bonnie got her first glimpse of Harriet Beecher Stowe when she sat in Stowe’s pew at First Parish Church. This is the famous pew where Stowe received her vision for writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Since moving to Andover while visiting the Andover Historical Society. Bonnie was excited to learn that Stowe decorated the first Christmas tree ever in Andover. Bonnie’s talk will be about how Stowe added joy to Christmas in Andover. Meet at 2:00 p.m. at the Historical Society, 97 Main Street, Andover, MA.  Call 978-475-2236 to register.

The Addison Gallery-Wednesday, January at 2:00 p.m. at the Andover Senior Center

Join the Curator of Education, Rebecca Hayes, of the Addison Gallery as she describes the history of the Addison Gallery in Andover, it’s mission, and educational initiatives.  Created by Thomas Cochran in 1931, the Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy is one of his many gifts to the school made to “enrich the lives of students.”

RSVP necessary as space is limited to 30.   Meet at 2:00 p.m. at the Andover Senior Center, 36 Bartlet Street, Andover, MA.  Call (978) 623-8321 to reservations.

Drugstores in Andover-Wednesday, February at 2:00 p.m. at the Andover Senior Center

Join local historian Tom Adams for a nostalgic walk down Main Street and share stories of Andover’s treasured hardware stores and pharmacies of years past.  High Tea and History will host this event on Wednesday, February 20th at 2 p.m. at the Andover Senior Center. Join us and remember to bring your stories along, too!

RSVP necessary as space is limited to 30.   Meet at 2:00 p.m. at the Andover Senior Center, 36 Bartlet Street, Andover, MA.  Call (978) 623-8321 to reservations.

Andover at Work Guides

Highly trained volunteers provide the additional teaching staff at the Society.  Sign-up to volunteer during our Andover at Work program and teach children from area schools about the fascinating history of the town during the 1820s.   Andover classes visit May-June every spring.   The program includes five stations with costumed museum teachers.  We are currently looking for volunteers to join us this spring, 2012 season. To learn more about becoming a teacher for the Andover at Work,  please contact Museum Educator Debbie DeSmet at ddesmet@andoverhistorical.org or 978.475.2236.

Share Your Expertise

One of the easiest ways to get involved with the museum is to share your stories and knowledge on a given topic. We welcome your ideas and are delighted to arrange a lecture, performance, article or any other venue that will allow you to share your knowledge with the community. To learn more, please contact us at info@andoverhistorical.org or 978.475.2236.