News & Events
2026 Longfellow Summer Festival
August Events
2026 Longfellow Summer Festival
June Events
August 9
Poetry: Marie Howe, recipient of the 2026 Golden Rose Award, is the author of "New and Selected Poems" and former Poet Laureate of New York.
August 2
Poetry: Major Jackson
Guided House Tours
Now Open
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
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Garden Volunteer Opportunity
The community of garden volunteers meets each Thursday morning from April 16 2026, into fall 2026.
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
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Event Operations Volunteer Opportunity
Event operations volunteers support the Longfellow Summer Arts Festival each Sunday afternoon from May 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
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!
Past Events
Knox Trail 250
On Saturday March 7, 2026, we took a trip across the Charles River to visit our friends at the Roxbury Historical Society to celebrate the Knox Trail 250. This reenactment depicts the arrival of cannon to the Right Wing Headquarters of General Thomas to be placed at Dorchester Heights. The Dillaway–Thomas House commanded the front lines of the Siege of Boston.
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
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:
