Whittier Birthplace

09/05/2026

We are seeking sponsors for the 2026 Big Dog Show!

This year we have three different sponsor levels.

$2,000 and above: Lead sponsors will have their logos displayed on our website and social media pages and will get mentioned in all press releases. They can hang their banner on the Bradford Common over the event weekend. Sponsors at this level will also get to decorate a Big Dog in a prime location.
$350 and above: Sponsors at this level will have their names listed on our website and social media pages. They will have the opportunity to decorate a Big Dog (or to partner with a community organization).
$100 or above: Sponsors at this level will have their names listed on our website and social media pages. Sponsors at this level do not have a Big Dog to decorate, but they may sponsor an award (such as Most Creative Kids’ Design or other original award ideas) or the Pet Parade.

More information is available at: https://www.whittierbirthplace.org/big-dog-show

09/02/2026

Save the Date: September 18-20, 2025 join us for an open house weekend during National Heritage Area's Trails & Sails!

Schedule:
Friday, Sept. 18th 10am-4pm
- special guest: 10am model-maker Jake Anderson speaking
- special guests: 1-3pm Diane & Joanne on the autoharp and fiddle playing Americana tunes
Saturday, Sept. 19th 10am-4pm
- special guests: 11am Tim's Kitchen Band in the barn
Sunday, Sept. 20th 1pm-4pm
- special guest: 2pm local author Laura Fell Scholten signing

Start your visit in the Gus Reusch Welcome Center for an introductory video. Then, take a guided tour of the c.1688 Whittier Homestead, walk the self-guided Freeman Memorial Trail, and more.

Our Trails & Sails open house weekend is free for everyone! There is no need to make a tour reservation this weekend. (Regular tours require advanced registration https://www.whittierbirthplace.org/tours).

08/27/2026

The new well sweep is installed!

This is a centuries-old technology that makes it easier to lift heavy buckets of water out of the well.

Our volunteers rebuilt the well sweep every 5 or so years using the same type of hand tools the Whittier family would have used 200 years ago. Pictured here is Buildings & Grounds Committee volunteer Bill Woodhouse who lead the project.

08/25/2026

Don't forget about tonight's free lecture:

Elizabeth Paliga, the senior preservation services manager at Historic New England, will talk about the role of women in preserving history at Whittier Birthplace. Paliga’s talk, “Tenacious Women: A History of Preservation in New England,” will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 6 p.m. in the Whitti...

08/24/2026

This Saturday!

08/21/2026

Have you been following along with our barn restoration project?

Thanks to a $50,000+ gift from the Cogswell Club this year we've been able to make headway on restoring the 19th century barn at the Whittier Birthplace.

A new roof was installed in April, electrical upgrades were done in May, carpentry repairs took place in June/July, and now exterior painting is scheduled to begin at the end of this month/early September.

We're excited to host more community events inside the space starting this fall! If you'd like to learn more about the history of the barn, the work that's being done, or to donate to help us reach our goal, please visit: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/help-restore-the-whittier-birthplace-barn

08/19/2026

Homeschooling families are invited to a program on the legacy of John Greenleaf Whittier.

When: Wednesday, September 2nd, 10-11:30am

Suggested ages: 6-12

Suggested donation: $10

Theme: The Freeman Memorial Trail

This month we’re taking a short hike along the Freeman Memorial Trail, through the woods and fields around the Whittier Birthplace. At each of the 13 stops along this approximately 1/2 mile trail, we will take turns reading a short section of Whittier’s poetry that describes the scenery. Along the way participants will get to collect leaves and other natural items for the craft at the end of the hike. Please come dressed for the weather and with sturdy shoes for walking over uneven ground. We’ll have sun block and insect repellant available.

Skills practiced in this program: reading, hiking, arts & crafts.

Click here (https://www.whittierbirthplace.org/events/ertsfn625adhn9dg5884t7jcfe5b7g) to sign up, at least one week prior to the program. Please include the ages and first names of participating kids as well as any relevant allergies or other special considerations we should know in advance.

08/17/2026

Summer is not over yet! We have four more events scheduled before Labor Day.

https://whittierbirthplace.substack.com/p/summer-is-not-over-yet?r=48nkkt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

08/16/2026

Two more chances to join us for Preschool Storytime before back to school!

August 18th and August 25th at 10am at the Whittier Birthplace

Preschoolers and a caregiver are invited to join us each Tuesday from 10am-11am from June 23rd through August 25th for story reading and craft. The target age is 3-5 years, but older and younger kids are also welcome to join. This is a free program and no registration is required.

Preschool Storytime will take place on the grass next to the Little Free Library. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket to sit on. Parking is available on the field by the barn or along the side of Whittier Road.

08/14/2026

Poet Jason O'Toole and friends are back for another summer poetry fest at the Whittier Birthplace on August 29th at 2pm. Check it out!