OCHM Crafternoons

October’s craft of the month is Pointillist Pumpkin Paintings!Drop in to feed your creativity with a new craft each month, free with museum admission. Drop in anytime between 1:00-3:00 pm for a fun, easy craft! We provide instructions and all the materials.

Old Colony History Museum, 66 Church Green, Taunton, MA 02780, Taunton, MA, 02780, US

Library Closed

Please note, the library will be closed as we celebrate the Liberty & Union Weekend!

Liberty & Union Walking Tour

A free, one-hour guided tour of Historic Downtown TauntonCome walk the Liberty and Union Downtown Walking Tour! Join us for a free, one-hour guided tour of Historic Downtown Taunton. Our one-mile walking tour highlights some of the important architectural, cultural, and......More

A free, one-hour guided tour of Historic Downtown TauntonCome walk the Liberty and Union Downtown Walking Tour! Join us for a free, one-hour guided tour of Historic Downtown Taunton. Our one-mile walking tour highlights some of the important architectural, cultural, and commercial sites between Church Green and Taunton Green. A great way to learn about the city, from its earliest days through the present, these tours are the third Saturday of every month, May through October, rain or shine.

Old Colony History Museum, 66 Church Green, Taunton, MA 02780, Taunton, MA, 02780, US

Liberty & Union Festival

Liberty and Union Weekend is an annual celebration of the unique role that the City of Taunton played in our nation’s founding. The Weekend is held each fall to commemorate the events of October 1774, when Taunton became the first community in the American colonies to r......More

Liberty and Union Weekend is an annual celebration of the unique role that the City of Taunton played in our nation’s founding. The Weekend is held each fall to commemorate the events of October 1774, when Taunton became the first community in the American colonies to raise a flag – the “Liberty and Union” flag – in opposition to British rule.   Details for the day’s activities will be posted to our website and social media as well as libertyandunion.org.For now, you can look forward to:-A walking tour of historic downtown Taunton-Historic demonstrations-Music-Food trucks-Beer garden with local brews-Touring the OCHM…and much more is in the works!Stay tuned! 

Old Colony History Museum, 66 Church Green, Taunton, MA, 02780, United States

Lecture: A History of Plants and People

Learn about the connected history of people and plants!The science of agriculture is approximately 25,000 years old. The development of agriculture has influenced civilization, impacted the environment, and dictated food supplies. A presenter from the Massachusetts Hort......More

Learn about the connected history of people and plants!The science of agriculture is approximately 25,000 years old. The development of agriculture has influenced civilization, impacted the environment, and dictated food supplies. A presenter from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society will discuss significant agricultural changes in the last century and look at the future of the science based on the choices we are making today. We will welcome our speaker in person to the Museum! Two ways to enjoy our Fall Lecture Series presentations! #1 Join us in person at the Museum! Seating is first-come, first-served. -Or – #2 Join us from home! Register to access the Zoom meeting. The Zoom chat will be open for the Q&A portion so you don’t miss out on the experience!

Cemetery Tour

In October we’ll explore Mayflower Hill CemeteryExplore even more local history with the Old Colony History Museum. On the 4th Saturday of each month, April-October, we visit a different cemetery to talk about the history of our city and residents from the past!

Mayflower Hill Cemetery, East Britannia Street, Taunton, MA 02780, Taunton, MA, 02780, US

A Taste of Old Colony History

Let’s cook up some history…from home!Join the OCHM staff from their home kitchens as we try our hand at historic recipes and local favorites. This month we’re making Mini Pumpkin Pies!

Trick or Treat!

Trick or treat at the OCHM!Everyone who visits the Museum in costume on October 30th will receive free admission to the exhibits and a special treat!

Old Colony History Museum, 66 Church Green, Taunton, MA 02780, Taunton, MA, 02780, US

Haunted History Walking Tour

Join us for a walking tour of truly twisted history!Learn about the dark and sometimes truly twisted side of Taunton’s history as we walk a 1-mile, 45 minute loop of the historic downtown. **Please note this tour is for mature audiences only as it does include adult the......More

Join us for a walking tour of truly twisted history!Learn about the dark and sometimes truly twisted side of Taunton’s history as we walk a 1-mile, 45 minute loop of the historic downtown. **Please note this tour is for mature audiences only as it does include adult themes and graphic content.

Old Colony History Museum, 66 Church Green, Taunton, MA 02780, Taunton, MA, 02780, US

Haunted History Walking Tour II

Join us for a walking tour of truly twisted history!Our morning tour is fully booked! Join us at 1pm for a second run! Learn about the dark and sometimes truly twisted side of Taunton’s history as we walk a 1-mile, 45 minute loop of the historic downtown. **Please note......More

Join us for a walking tour of truly twisted history!Our morning tour is fully booked! Join us at 1pm for a second run! Learn about the dark and sometimes truly twisted side of Taunton’s history as we walk a 1-mile, 45 minute loop of the historic downtown. **Please note this tour is for mature audiences only as it does include adult themes and graphic content.

Old Colony History Museum, 66 Church Green, Taunton, MA 02780, Taunton, MA, 02780, US

M is for Museum story time

Sensory-friendly story time in the Museum!M is for Museum is the OCHM’s initiative to encourage early literacy in our future historians! Books will be middle-elementary level with stations for coloring and Legos and fidget boxes available. Families of all ages are wel......More

Sensory-friendly story time in the Museum!M is for Museum is the OCHM’s initiative to encourage early literacy in our future historians! Books will be middle-elementary level with stations for coloring and Legos and fidget boxes available. Families of all ages are welcome! Drop in or join on Facebook Live!

Old Colony History Museum, 66 Church Green, Taunton, MA 02780, Taunton, MA, 02780, US

Facts & Family: An Introduction to Genealogy Research Session 5

Join Dr. Cynthia Ricciardi and begin the journey into your family’s history. Six sessions will lead you from first steps to fundamental questions and fascinating finds, so sign up for one or all depending on your skill level. These sessions will all take place on Zoom. ......More

Join Dr. Cynthia Ricciardi and begin the journey into your family’s history. Six sessions will lead you from first steps to fundamental questions and fascinating finds, so sign up for one or all depending on your skill level. These sessions will all take place on Zoom. Sign up for 1 or all 6 sessions! Most, if not all, approaches discussed will be applicable beyond the boundaries of Bristol and Plymouth counties. Because of our historic location, however, and the resources of the archives and collections of the Old Colony History Museum, this series will occasionally include specific historical examples from, and references to, the early English families of the Taunton settlement, as well as the earlier European settlement in Plymouth, and The Great Migration, from the mid-seventeenth century to the present. Session 5: Facts & Family In this session, we will take a few minutes to review the DNA session. We’ll revisit the topic of DNA, and discuss useful data which can be obtained in cemeteries. In addition, we’ll look at resources for ethnic research which was not covered in the earlier workshop. Each session is $5 for OCHM Members or $10 for non-members. Find information about becoming an OCHM Member here Be sure to register for each session you would like to join to receive the Zoom link!