2025 News & Events
Recent Events
Welcome to the 2025 Longfellow Summer Arts Festival.
Movement artist, Alexandria Nunweiler reads Longfellow's poem, "The Skeleton in the Armor" followed by her interpretive dance performance of the poem.
Click to watch the full performance online.
There people danced too.
Alexandria shares some visuals.
We "Too" The People Poetry series is kicked off by Steve Ratiner, co-president of the New England Poetry Club.
Jazz great, Stan Strickland opens for the poet, Robert Pinsky.
We were honored to have poet Robert Pinsky on the lawn.
Perfect weather for Juneteenth 2025.
Juneteenth 2025 returns to the lawn.
General George Washington arrives to celebrate the 250 anniversary of the Siege of Boston.
Washington and entourage.
John Bell welcomes the troops.
At ease, ranger.
Poet Laureate, Richard Blanco spoke too.
And the people listened.
And the people came.
Guided House Tours
Now Open
Visit 105 Brattle Street and see the latest conservation work The Friends have supported in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s study.
The house re-opened in the spring of 2025 ahead of the 250th celebration of General George Washington’s arrival in July of 1775 to take command of the Continental Army. Tours continue throughout October 2025.
NPS Photo
March 13, 2025
Choosing a Commander:
Myths & Realities Behind the Continental Congress’s Decision to Make George Washington the General
Speaker: J.L. Bell
NPS Livestream Recording
NPS News
Join the Longfellow House Volunteer Team
How can you support your national park?
Become a Volunteer-in-Park (VIP) this summer!
Help in one of two ways:
Garden Volunteer Opportunity
The community of garden volunteers meets each Thursday morning at 9:00 AM to noon, from April 17, 2025, into fall 2025.
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Garden Volunteer Opportunity
The community of garden volunteers meets each Thursday morning at 9:00 AM to noon, from April 17, 2025, into fall 2025.
Are you passionate about gardening, history, or both? We invite you to join us as a garden volunteer at Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, where history and horticulture meet. Behind the house is a beautifully maintained Colonial Revival garden, and we need your help to keep it thriving!
As a Volunteer-in-Park, you'll learn and work alongside the National Park Service's gardener and landscape management interns to:
Care for the historic garden
Learn hands-on techniques for managing a historic landscape
Contribute to the preservation of American history
No experience? No problem! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a curious beginner, we provide all necessary training, safety instruction, and tools.
Join a community of like-minded neighbors, enjoy the serenity of the gardens, and make a lasting impact in your community.
Learn more and register to help make history bloom as a garden volunteer!
Event Operations Volunteer Opportunity
Event operations volunteers support the Longfellow Summer Arts Festival each Sunday afternoon from June 1, 2025, through September 7, 2025 (volunteering at 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM).
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Event Operations Volunteer Opportunity
Event operations volunteers support the Longfellow Summer Arts Festival each Sunday afternoon from June 1, 2025, through September 7, 2025 (volunteering at 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM).
Are you looking to help build community and support free, high-quality arts programming in your community? We seek enthusiastic event support volunteers to help bring these events to life!
As a Volunteer-in-Park, you’ll serve as a key member of the Longfellow House events team by:
Assisting National Park Service staff with event setup and breakdown, including moving chairs, stage panels, sound equipment, tables, tents, signage, and more.
Providing wayfinding assistance and answering visitor questions — or connecting them with National Park Service staff.
Creating a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for our visitors.
Preferred Qualifications:
An interest in the arts, history, and/or engaging with the public.
Physical ability to bend, kneel, stand for extended periods, and lift objects up to 50 lbs.
Learn more and register to support arts in our community as an event operations volunteer!
Powder Alarm 250
September 1, 2024
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A Dawn Raid
British soldiers showed up at the Powder House in what is now Somerville on the morning of September 1.
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Prepare Arms
Re-enactors attach bayonets to their rifles to keep the mob at bay.
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The Redcoats
British soldiers take a powder.
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Throwing a Kegger
Kegs of gun powder are seized in the re-enactment of the raid.
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March Along Brattle Street
On September 2 thousands of militia men streamed into Cambridge along the same street where J. L. Bell leads a walking tour.
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Loyalists Lived Here
The crowd demanded a resignation from Judge Joseph Lee, whose house is now the headquarters of History Cambridge.
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Stories of Tories
Scores of local history lovers turn out to enjoy tales from J. L. Bell, Robert J. Allison, and Michele Gabrielson.
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Rebellion Along Tory Row
The uprising on September 2 made Loyalists John and Elizabeth Vassall move out of their home, leaving it empty for General Washington.
Listen to J.L. Bell talk about the events of September 1, 1774 on WBUR / Radio Boston
Read more about the Powder Alarm 250 from our friends at:
