Olmsted NHS Events

Be sure to follow us on social media (@olmstednhs) and let us know what programs you would like to see!

You can check out our calendar for events, as well as learn about the amazing events held for the Olmsted Bicentennial.

 
Want to know as soon as programs are announced? Join our email list!
 

RECENT PROGRAMMING


February 25th, 2024 1PM - 3PM
Volunteer Open House

Come visit with current volunteers, staff, and other prospective volunteers to discover upcoming opportunities, enjoy light refreshments, and tour the site before we open for the season. Opportunities include front-line visitor engagement, developing and presenting tours, supporting education program, and assisting in behind-the-scenes projects! Training will be held in March with anticipated start dates of April/May.

December 10th, 2023 1:00PM-4:00PM
Holiday Open House

In partnership with Friends of Fairsted, join us at Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site for our yearly holiday open house. With food and beverages, as well as holiday themed arts and crafts activities, you will be able to wander through the Olmsted historic design office at your own pace, with staff available to answer questions. We hope to see you before we close down for the winter!

November 25th, 2023 12:30PM-1:30PM
Fall Walks and Talks: Parks and Politics- A Learn and Burn of Jamaica Pond

Join us on a tour of Jamaica Pond and its notable neighborhood. Our first 1.5 mile loop will include a discussion of the politics behind the Emerald Necklace and how the neighbors were involved with local politics. Our second loop will be fitness focused- more walking, less talking to warm up on a chilly day. We will be walking around the pond during cold and windy weather! Please be prepared by wearing comfortable shoes and wear multiple layers to be warm.

November 18th, 2023 11AM-12PM
Fall Walks and Talks: Franklin Park- The Jewel of the Emerald Necklace Part 2 The Country Park

Franklin Park is considered one of Frederick Law Olmsted’s finest design achievements and a prime example of his social ideals. Discover Olmsted’s vision for Franklin Park’s Country Park on this two-hour walk through the landscapes of Scarboro Pond, Schoolmaster Hill, and the Country Park meadow. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.

November 4th, 2023 12PM-1PM
Fall Walks and Talks: Franklin Park- The Jewel of the Emerald Necklace Part 1 The Ante Park

We will be learning about the Ante Park section of Franklin Park, the jewel of Frederick Law Olmsted's Boston Park System, known as the Emerald Necklace. We will be starting our walk by White Stadium in Franklin Park at 12PM. his walk is not a loop as we will be walking through the Ante Park section of Franklin Park, ending on the opposite side. We will be walking a little over one mile and will go for roughly an hour and a half.

October 21st, 2023 1PM-2PM
Fall Walks and Talks: Brother Artists- Olmsted and Richardson in Malden

Join us for the third part of our series "Brother-Artists" as we explore the Converse Memorial Library in Malden, Massachusetts, and discuss the collaborations of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and architect Henry Hobson Richardson, who a mutual friend referred to as 'brother-artists." The Converse Memorial Library was constructed between 1883 and 1885 and was the last Richardson-Olmsted library project.

October 7th, 2023 10AM-12PM
Fall Walks and Talks: The Fells and the First Metropolitan Park System

Join us to discuss the reasons why the Middlesex Fells Reservation was created and the Olmsted Firm’s involvement in designing and implementing the Boston Metropolitan Park System. Join us at 10:00 on Saturday, October 7th to explore the Fells through a lens of history and design. The program will consist of a 3 mile moderately paced hike over fairly rugged terrain.

Sundays in July and September 2023, 10AM-4PM
Olmsted Summer Sundays at the Shattuck

Drop by and visit us at the Emerald Necklace Conservancy's Shattuck Visitor Center. Learn more about Olmsted's Boston park design, chat with a park ranger, and participate in our rotating activities.

In partnership with the Emerald Necklace Conservancy.

September 9th, 2023 6:45PM-9PM
Summer Movie Night

Enjoy our annual Movie on the South Lawn ! Grab a blanket or beach chair and pick a spot to watch Richie Rich with us. Take in Olmsted's incredible landscape design for the Biltmore Estate.

Lawn open for seating at 6:30 PM. Lot and street parking available. Food and family-friendly beverages are welcome (no glass)

July 23rd, 2023 10AM- 4PM
Art in the Park at Fairsted

Come enjoy a nice summer day on the South Lawn filled with music and activities! The day will include preformances by Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys at 11AM, and Juventas New Music Ensemble at 2PM. Family-friendly activities will be available throughout the day including a watercolor station, button-making, and sun priting.
Proudly supported and in partnership with Friends of Fairsted.

 

September 25, 2021
National Public Lands Day- Weed Warriors

Join us in celebrating Public Lands day and volunteer for a fun day of stewardship at the Green Hill Property. Volunteers will help restore and maintain our Green Hill Property by removing invasive plants such as Porcelain berry and Canada thistle, as well as pitching in with stewardship tasks like mulching and weeding.
The Green Hill parcel is 5 acres of land neighboring Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site that is integral to the story of the Olmsteds in Brookline. Our natural resources team works on restoring the New England meadow that once bordered Fairsted's South Lawn. While weeding, learn about how our work will impact the future of the site.


September 26, 2021 6:30 pm
Movie Night on the South Lawn

Pop your popcorn, pull up a blanket, and enjoy a screening of Hoot on Fairsted’s South Lawn. Celebrate the conservation work of Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. of the Everglades in Florida with New Line Cinema's Hoot featuring kids taking on crooked politicians and greedy developers to save endangered owls threatened by a construction project. Rated PG, Run time 91 minutes.
It's free to join and registration is not required.


Saturday, October 2, 2021 11 am
Growing Up Kennedy: A Neighborhood Walk

Join us as we explore the neighborhood where JFK grew up for the first ten years of his life. The tour is approximately one hour long and will meet in front of John Fitzgerald Kennedy NHS (83 Beals Street, Brookline, MA.) Total walking distance is 1.8 miles.


Saturday, October 9, 2021 9 am
Jamaica Pond Photo Walk

Bring your camera and capture the vibrant fall colors in the morning light as we explore the history of this Olmsted landscape. Talking walking distance is approximately 1.5 miles.


Saturday, October 16, 2021 1pm
Growing Up Kennedy: A Neighborhood Walk
Join us as we explore the neighborhood where JFK grew up for the first ten years of his life. The tour is approximately one hour long and will meet in front of John Fitzgerald Kennedy NHS (83 Beals Street, Brookline, MA.) Total walking distance is 1.8 miles.


Saturday, October 23, 2021 10 am
"Brother-Artists" Olmsted and Richardson
Join us for a short walk and talk about the collaboration and friendship between the famous Brookline locals, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and architect H.H. Richardson, at their shared design of the Thomas Crane Library and its grounds.


Saturday, October 30, 2021 10 am and 2 pm

The Well-Equipped Witch: The Science of Sorcery
Come take a walk around the Fairsted Grounds and see the plants used in traditional witchcraft and learn about the scientific basis for their use. Also learn about using plants to protect yourself from any witches (and there probably will be a few) lurking in the shrubbery!


Saturday, November 13, 2021 1 pm
A Walk through the Back Bay

Walk through the Back Bay Fens, and learn about the project that first brought Frederick Law Olmsted to Boston, and why he chose to stay.


Saturday, November 20, 2021 10 am
BARK Ranger in Franklin Park

Join our walk in the wildnerness of Franklin Park and have a positive experience with your pet. Learn about the B.A.R.K. principles so you and your pet can have a seafe and fun visit anytime you are in an Olmsted (or non) park. This program is part of the Healthy People Healthy Parks Initiative. B.A.R.K. stands for Bag your pet’s waste Always leash your pet Respect wildlife Know where you can go.


Saturday, November 27, 2021 1 pm
Learn and Burn: Blue Hills
Lace up your hiking boots and traverse the Blue Hills while discovering the design and conservation of the tallest mountain within 10 miles of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

Thursday, December 2, 2021 7:00–8:30pm (EST)

FRIENDS OF FAIRSTED LECTURE SERIES
Beauty, Efficiency, and Economy: A Life of Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., Landscape Architect, Planner and Conservationist

A talk by Elizabeth Hope Cushing, landscape historian
Programs - Friends of Fairsted

Last updated: March 1, 2024

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99 Warren Street
Brookline, MA 02445

Phone:

617 566-1689

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