Keep Homestead Museum

Concert on the lawn featuring Livestock
2021-08-01 13:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Livestock is a group who use traditional bluegrass instrumentation to interpret a somewhat wider musical collection, reaching out into blues, folk, country, and rock ‘n roll for their confirmed label of Bluegrass & Americana. The members often play in a number of other formats, as well as share the singing responsibilities. They use old-school ambient miking on stage, rather than mounted pickups, for a particularly natural wooden-instrument sound, to seem similar to their favorite settings, which are kitchens, barns, and porches. Their casual approach to a show makes them favorites in social settings like pubs, town commons, and the burgeoning music/microbrewery scene.
Members of the band include:

Jim Lamothe, Brimfield—Guitar player with Livestock and also local country favorites Radio Ranch.
Dave Richardson, Warren—Mandolin player and home improvement contractor, often collaborating with the bass player,
Chet Fairchild, Holland—Chet also plays bass for the progressive jazz string band Rhythm Junction and the Sturbridge hippie jam band Burnpile, where Dave Richardson also takes up his drumsticks.
John Cloutier—Resonator guitar player for Livestock. John spends his working days as a commercial artist at his Southbridge-based sign and screen printing shop, Globe Sign Co.

The band has the benefit of two excellent fiddlers, Remi Lamothe of the Jim Lamothe household, who is a student at Tufts University, and Rob Griffin of Belchertown, who works in educational publishing from the Amherst area. Both are solid improvisational fiddlers with strong early styles, and can really raise the roof on the occasional night when the band can wrangle them both for a show.
The concert will be held rain or shine as it can move into the barn. Bring a lawn chair or blanket—and a picnic lunch. Guests are asked to observe social distancing. There is no admission charge, but donations will be accepted. Refreshments will be served.
The audience will be surrounded by the Alan Robert Phillips Sculpture Garden. For more information, call 413-267-4137 or fill out our contact form.

Zoo on the Go
2021-10-03 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Forest Park’s “Zoo on the Go” program is coming to the Keep Homestead Museum in Monson on Sunday, October 3, at 1:30 pm.
It is a FREE educational outreach program that will bring seven ambassador animals to the museum. Information will be provided on the animals’ special adaptions, habitats, behavior, diets, and status in the wild. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.
The program will be held on the lawn, weather permitting. Bring a blanket or chair for viewing. If there is inclement weather, it will take place in the barn.
Water will be available. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Hope to see you there!

November Keep Museum Reopening & Open House
2021-11-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
We will celebrate our reopening with an open house on Sunday, November 7 from 1–3:00 pm. A new exhibit of Belle Epoque buttons is displayed with copies of original pen and ink drawings executed by Monson art teacher and button collector W. Louise Larson.
Very often the designs resemble work from the Art Nouveau Era (1890–1910) when interest in Egyptian design was inspired by the discovery of King Tut’s tomb.
Other new exhibits are glass buttons of various colors, designs and ages plus a display of Christmas-themed buttons.
We look forward to welcoming you once again to the museum!

December Keep Museum Holiday Sing-Along
2021-12-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The public is invited to tour the Keep Homestead Museum at 35 Ely Road in Monson from 1:00–3:00 pm on Sunday, December 5 to enjoy special button exhibits and a Holiday Sing-along led by Gay Paluch, pianist, and Joe Wholley, flutist. Join voices to celebrate the holiday season and learn about the history of carols and seasonal songs. Discover the beauty of buttons hailing from around the world.
An exhibit entitled “Christmas Buttons” features several special collections of Myra Keep’s heirloom buttons. Superimposed on a music staff are black glass buttons, each one representing a note in the carol “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Among the Bethlehem Mother of Pearl hand-carved shell buttons are an angel with spread wings, Madonna and child, and a delicate carving of Mary and Joseph en route to Bethlehem. Buttons in all shades of red and green and symbols of Christmas, including candles, holly, poinsettia, and wreaths, will delight those who explore the historic collection at the museum.
This festive afternoon at the Keep Homestead Museum is free of charge. Light refreshments will be served.

Life Aboard a Whaling Ship with Anne Barrett
2022-04-03 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Keep Museum Open Houses are the first Sunday of every month during the season from 1 – 3:30 pm and are open to the public free of charge.
Our first Open House kicks off with the “Life Aboard a Whaling Ship” performance featuring Anne Barrett with the story of Mary Lawrence, a whaling wife who sailed aboard the Addison.
Anne is an actress, historian, re-enactor and performer specializing in portraying women in history. In this performance as Mary Lawrence, she will bring forth the joys and tribulations of life at sea for three and a half years with her husband Captain Samuel Lawrence and their daughter Minnie.
Stay tuned for additional information.

Friends of the Keep Homestead Museum Meeting
2022-04-03 15:30 - 16:00

Open House
2022-05-01 13:00 - 15:30, 2023-04-02 13:00 - 15:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Our Open Houses are the first Sunday of every month from 1:00–3:30 during the season. They are free and open to the public.

Dairy Farming in Monson
2022-05-01 13:30 - 14:30
History, stories, and artifacts will be shared during an informal get-together with several members of the oldest dairy farm families in Monson.
The Keep Homestead Museum will present ”Dairy Farming in Monson“ on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. in the barn. We will be visiting with some of the descendants of dairy farms past and present. At one time, Monson had twenty-seven (27) farms related to the dairy business. Today there is only one farm that is still producing milk.
In addition to a descendant of one of Monson’s oldest dairy farms that is still producing milk, descendants from other farms will relate the history of their farm as to how and when it was acquired, size of herd, milk routes, etc. For those farms whose descendants cannot be present, we will speak for them as their history was related to us. Additionally, the Museum will have on display several items used in the early milk operation and delivery business.
At one time, the Keep Homestead Museum property was a very prosperous dairy farm. Upon her death, Myra Keep Lovell Moulton donated all this property to the Town of Monson. The Museum is located at 35 Ely Road in Monson, Massachusetts. The house and gift shop will be open from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Sarah the Fiddler
2022-06-05 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The Keep Homestead Museum is proud to present Sarah the Fiddler. The program will be held on the lawn of the museum, located at 35 Ely Road in Monson, weather permitting.
The moment Sarah’s bow touches the strings, her passion for music is evident. She combines influences of classical, bluegrass and Celtic music to create a unique style and sound. Sarah has performed with numerous orchestras, bands and theater groups.
Sarah began classical violin lessons at the age of four, studying the Suzuki method. At age six, she began fiddling lessons. In 1994 she was concert master of Springfield’s Young People’s Symphony. She also participated in the Holyoke Civic Symphony and the Westfield State Orchestra. During her 20-year career, she has won over 300 contests. In the past eight years, Sarah has been a fiddle instructor for the Western Massachusetts Suzuki Camp for beginners to advanced students.
The program is free, donations are welcome. Attendees are invited to please bring a chair or blanket and enjoy this concert on the lawn. The museum looks forward to seeing everyone.
The house will be open from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Friends of the Keep Homestead Museum Meeting
2022-06-05 15:30 - 16:00 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The house will be open from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Ice Cream Social on the Lawn
2022-07-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Start your Independence Day celebration with a visit to the Keep Homestead Museum on Sunday, July 3. Enjoy ice cream novelties from 1 – 3 pm and tour the museum. A fun way to kick off Monson’s July 4 Summerfest.
The house will be open from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Livestock Concert on the Lawn
2022-08-07 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Our Annual August Tradition
The Keep Homestead Museum, located at 35 Ely Road in Monson, is excited to present a FREE CONCERT on Sunday, August 7, at 1:30 pm featuring the popular group Livestock. Livestock is a group who uses traditional bluegrass instrumentation to interpret a somewhat wider musical collection, reaching out into blues, folk, country, and rock ‘n roll for their confirmed label of Bluegrass and Americana.
The concert will be held on the side lawn. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. In case of rain, it will be held in the barn. There is no admission fee; donations are welcome. Hope to see you there in sunbonnets and straw hats.
The house will be open from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Button Appraisal Day at the Keep
2022-09-04 13:00 - 15:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Do you have your grandmother’s button box? Would you like to learn some of the stories about the buttons? Or do you have a favorite button that you would like to know more about? Does it have some monetary value? A button appraisal might give you some answers.
The Button Appraisal Day will be held on Sunday, September 4 at the Keep Homestead Museum on 35 Ely Road in Monson from 1–3:30 pm. Button experts and dealers Moira Hatton and Betty Korostynski are both well-versed in the identification and current pricing of buttons.
There is no cost for the appraisals, however donations will be accepted. Visitors are welcome to tour the museum.

Play time and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” cartoon at the October Open House
2022-10-02 13:00 - 15:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The October Open House at the Keep Homestead Museum will be held on Sunday, October 2 from 1 – 3:30 pm. This month, the museum focuses on play time. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” cartoon will be shown continuously. In addition, there will be old-fashioned toys and activities for children of all ages to use in the barn. They can try puzzles, cornhole, building blocks, hoops, find out what a thaumatrope is, and more. The craft project will be decorating a scarecrow with buttons.
The museum will be open for viewing and admission is free, however donations are always gratefully accepted.

Raptors and Rehabilitation with Tom Ricardi
2022-11-06 13:30 - 15:30
Raptors from the Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center
The Keep Homestead Museum welcomes Tom Ricardi of the Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center in Conway on Sunday, November 6 from 1:30–3:30 pm.
Have you ever wondered what happens to the injured bird laying on the side of the road? Well, often Tom Ricardi is called. Mr. Ricardi cares for dozens of falcons, owls, eagles, and other raptors that have been injured in some way.
He does a lot of work with local animal control and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and rescues an average of 125–150 birds a year. Birds that are rehabilitated, recover and are able to fly are released back into the wild. Those that are permanently disabled remain at the Center for the rest of their lives. Some of these birds are part of his traveling educational programs.
Come meet Tom Ricardi and find out more.
The museum will be open for viewing and admission is free, however donations are always gratefully accepted.

Friends of the Keep Homestead Museum Meeting
2022-11-06 15:30 - 16:00
The house will be open from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Holiday Open House and Sing-along with Gay Paluch
2022-12-04 13:00 - 15:30
The Holiday Open House at the Keep Homestead Museum on 35 Ely Road in Monson will be held on December 4 from 1 – 3:30 pm.
The public is invited to tour the decorated house as well as enjoy a holiday sing-along led by Gay Paluch, pianist, and Joe Wholley, flutist. Visitors will have the opportunity to join voices to celebrate the holiday season and to learn about the history of carols and seasonal songs.
New button exhibits to view include a display of glass buttons, a new selection of shell buttons, and of course Christmas buttons.
This festive afternoon at the Keep Homestead Museum is free of charge, though donations are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Click here to learn more about the museum and the Keep family.

Powerpoint Program: Dinosaurs, Dunes, & Drifting Continents
2023-04-02 13:30 - 15:00 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Footprints of the ichnogenus Grallator from the Connecticut River Valley on display at the Amherst Museum of Natural History
The Keep Homestead Museum opens for the season on April 2, 2023 with the program “Dinosaurs, Dunes, & Drifting Continents” by Professor Richard Little. The Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts is the best place in the world to study geology. Find out why as he discusses the “deep history” of Monson and vicinity and how the area was impacted by continental collisions, rifting faults and glaciers, plus dinosaur footprints and Lake Hitchcock.
Richard Little is professor emeritus, Greenfield Community College, and the author of several books and videos about local geology. Copies of his book will be available for sale. He will bring examples of the rare Jurassic armored mud balls found in Franklin County which he is working to have designated as the official Massachusetts “sedimentary structure.”
This talk starts at 1:30 pm and is open to the public free of charge, though donations are welcome.
The museum will be open from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Friends of the Keep Homestead Museum Meeting
2023-04-02 15:30 - 16:00 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States

Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the World
2023-05-07 13:30 - 15:00 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The Keep Homestead Museum is excited to present talented actress Sheryl Faye as she portrays Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the World on Sunday, May 7, at 1:30 pm. during our open house.
This immersive historical performance will be engaging, educational, and entertaining as Eleanor Roosevelt comes to life.
Using costumes, audio, slides and attention to detail Sheryl tells Eleanor’s story as a child, wife, mother, first lady, and widow. This dynamic and beloved first lady who wrote a syndicated newspaper column, held press conferences, was a delegate to the United Nations, and advocated for expanded roles for women is amazingly brought to life.
Faye, who has a bachelor of fine arts in acting from Emerson College in Boston, presents live historical performances that help audiences understand the positive impact women have made in history. She portrays women whom she admires because of their courage, determination, strength, and caring.
The museum will be open from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free and light refreshments will be available during the program. Donations are accepted.

Sarah the Fiddler
2023-06-04 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The Keep Homestead Museum is proud to present Sarah the Fiddler. The program will be held on the lawn of the museum, located at 35 Ely Road in Monson, weather permitting.
The moment Sarah’s bow touches the strings, her passion for music is evident. She combines influences of classical, bluegrass and Celtic music to create a unique style and sound. Sarah has performed with numerous orchestras, bands and theater groups.
Sarah began classical violin lessons at the age of four, studying the Suzuki method. At age six, she began fiddling lessons. In 1994 she was concert master of Springfield’s Young People’s Symphony. She also participated in the Holyoke Civic Symphony and the Westfield State Orchestra. During her 20-year career, she has won over 300 contests. In the past eight years, Sarah has been a fiddle instructor for the Western Massachusetts Suzuki Camp for beginners to advanced students.
The program is free, donations are welcome. Attendees are invited to please bring a chair or blanket and enjoy this concert on the lawn. Shuttle service will be available from Colonial Village at 12:30 pm and the parking lot at First Church on High St. from noon until 1:00 pm. The museum looks forward to seeing everyone.
This event is funded by the town of Monson’s Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) grant.
The house will be open from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Ice Cream Social on the Lawn
2023-07-02 13:00 - 15:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Start your Independence Day celebration with a visit to the Keep Homestead Museum on Sunday, July 2 from 1 – 3:30 pm. Enjoy making a sundae with Rondeau’s ice cream and various toppings, then tour the museum to view new exhibits. Wear your most festive sunbonnet or best straw hat and add to the fun. All are welcome to this free event though donations are welcome. A fun way to kick off your celebration and Monson’s July 4 Summerfest.

Open house
2023-07-02 13:00 - 15:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The museum will be open from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Friends of the Keep Homestead Museum meeting
2023-07-02 15:30 - 16:00
To be held after the close of the Open House.

Wildlife on Wheels from Forest Park
2023-08-06 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Forest Park’s Wildlife on Wheels program is coming to the Keep Homestead Museum in Monson on Sunday, August 6, at 1:30 pm.
It is a FREE educational outreach program that will bring a variety of our animal ambassadors to the museum. Information will be provided on the animals’ special adaptions, habitats, behavior, diets, and status in the wild. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.
The house will be open from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Open House
2023-09-03 13:00 - 15:30, 2023-10-01 13:00 - 15:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Program to be determined.
The museum will be open from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Petticoats to Pants: Women’s Fashions 1865–1940
2023-09-03 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Have you ever wondered about the story of women’s fashions between the Civil War and World War II? If so, plan to visit the Keep Homestead Museum on September 3 at 1:30 pm when Lynne Z. Bassett presents her program “Petticoats to Pants: Women’s Fashions 1865–1940.”
She examines how women’s fashion between the wars represent the changes in women’s roles during this period in American history. Women expanded beyond their traditional roles as homemakers and mothers to roles in the arenas of work, politics and sports. And clothing adapted to suit the needs of these women.
Lynne is now an independent scholar specializing in historic fashion and textiles. She has been curator of textiles at Old Sturbridge Village and Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, and her contributions have been recognized by many historic societies including the American Antiquarian Society and the International Quilt Study Center.
This program starts at 1:30 pm and is open to the public free of charge. The museum at 35 Ely Road in Monson is open for viewing from 1–3:30 pm.

Buttons in the Barn with Vicky Prior
2023-10-01 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The October Open House at the Keep Homestead Museum on 35 Ely Road in Monson, Massachusetts will be held on Sunday, October 1 from 1:00–3:30 pm.
The “Buttons in the Barn” short program will be at 1:30 pm for visitors of all ages to learn about the wide variety of materials, including shell, metal and glass, used in the manufacture of buttons. After the program, visitors are invited to explore a large assortment of buttons to create their own unique button display. All materials will be provided for free!
Admission to the program and museum is free, however donations will be accepted.
