Keep Homestead Museum

Museum Open House
2024-10-06 13:00 - 15:30, 2024-09-01 13:00 - 15:30, 2024-08-04 13:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

Button Appraisal Day at the Keep
2024-10-06 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.
Our Button Appraisal Day will be held on Sunday, October 6 at the Keep Homestead Museum on 35 Ely Road in Monson from 1–3:30 pm with button expert and dealer Betty Korostynski. She is well-versed in the identification and current pricing of buttons and has been a button dealer for 35 years selling in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. She is presently writing a book on hard white pewter buttons from 1800–1830.
There is no cost for the appraisals, however donations will be accepted. Visitors are welcome to tour the museum and enjoy light refreshments. New notecards featuring buttons will be available in the gift shop.

Money, Money, Money
2024-09-01 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The Keep Homestead Museum welcomes Russell Bressette Sunday, September 1 at 1:30 pm when he shares his lifelong adventures of collecting coins and paper money.

Russell began his collection about age 9 and in the 1960s he seriously began going to auctions and tag sales to add to it. His earliest money is from the 1800s and includes paper money that was issued by banks that include Monson Savings Bank. Coins and paper money from his collection will be on display in the barn for this free program which is open to the public. Donations are welcomed.
The museum will be open from 1–3:30 pm to view new displays, enjoy refreshments, and visit the gift shop where new handmade note cards featuring buttons are for sale.

Ice Cream Social
2024-08-04 13:00 - 15:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
Visit the Keep Homestead Museum on August 4 from 1–3:30 pm for our Ice Cream Social. Make your own sundae with Alvin Rondeau’s Dairy Bar ice cream and various toppings.
While enjoying your sundae creation, Frozenred will play traditional folk music for your musical entertainment. The band features Rose Higgins, Fred Higgins, Finlay Higgins (guitar) and Camille Collins Lovell (fiddle).
Be sure to tour the museum to view our new exhibits. All are welcome to this free event. Donations are welcome.

Friends of Keep Homestead Museum Meeting
2024-07-07 15:30 - 17:00
The meeting will be held at the museum after the close of the open house, at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Peter J. Newland Trio
2024-07-07 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The Keep Homestead Museum is excited to present the Peter J. Newland Trio on Sunday, July 7 at 1:30 p.m. The concert will be held on the side lawn of the museum, located at 35 Ely Road in Monson, weather permitting. Please bring a chair or a blanket.
Although singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Peter still performs with FAT and his quintet, RadioX, he is seen most regularly with his sophisticated Peter J. Newland Trio. Peter is joined in the trio by Mark Pappas, guitar journeyman, and Ralph Whittle, keyboards.
An afternoon with the energetic trio combines Peter’s original compositions along with their unique interpretations of rock, pop and blues standards from the 50s to the present and a sampling of the American songbook in the Sinatra style.
FREE POPCORN (while supplies last) compliments of Squier Lumber & Hardware.
The museum will be open from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are always welcome.

This performance is generously sponsored by Monson Savings Bank.

Open House
2024-07-07 13:00 - 15:30, 2024-06-02 13:00 - 15:30, 2024-05-05 13:00 - 15:30, 2024-04-07 13:00 - 15:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States

Sarah the Fiddler
2024-06-02 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The Keep Homestead Museum at 35 Ely Road in Monson, is proud to present Sarah the Fiddler on Sunday, June 2 at 1:30 pm. The concert will be held on the side lawn, weather permitting. Please being a chair or a blanket.
The moment Sarah’s bow touches the strings, her passion for music is evident, combining her influences of classical, bluegrass and Celtic music to create a unique style and sound. Sarah has performed with numerous orchestras, bands and theater groups. She began classical violin lessons at the age of four studying with the Suzuki method and at age six started fiddling lessons. In 1994 she was concert master of Springfield’s Young People’s Symphony. She also performed with the Holyoke Civic Symphony and Westfield State Orchestra. During her 20-year career she has won over 300 contests.
The program starts at 1:30 pm and is open to the public free of charge, though donations are always welcome. Shuttle service will be available from the parking lot at First Church on High Street from noon to 1:00 pm.
FREE POPCORN (while supplies last) compliments of Squier Lumber & Hardware.

This performance is courtesy of a grant from the Monson Cultural Council, a local agency of the Mass Cultural Council.

Re-enactor Sheryl Faye as Queen Elizabeth II
2024-05-05 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The Keep Homestead Museum, located at 35 Ely Road in Monson, is excited to welcome back talented actress Sheryl Faye as she portrays “Queen Elizabeth II—Her Majesty” on Sunday, May 5 at 1:30 pm. during our open house.
This immersive one-woman performance will be engaging, educational, and entertaining as Queen Elizabeth comes to life. Using numerous costume changes and high-tech multi-media, Sheryl tells Elizabeth’s story as British monarch for over 70 years starting February 6, 1952. In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of pride.
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.
This event is funded by a grant from the Monson Cultural Council, a local agency of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. There is no admission fee; donations are always welcome. The museum will be open from 1:00–3:30 pm. with light refreshments.

Friends of the Keep Homestead Museum Meeting
2024-04-07 15:30 - 16:00, 2023-04-02 15:30 - 16:00 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The house will be open from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for touring. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

New England Quilts and the Stories They Tell
2024-04-07 13:30 - 14:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The Keep Homestead Museum opens for the season on April 7, 2024 with the program “New England Quilts and the Stories They Tell.”
Do you have an old quilt hanging around your house? Maybe it is a family heirloom or a find from a tag sale. You may want to come to the Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road in Monson, MA when it opens for the season on Sunday, April 7, 2024 and learn more about it.
Pamela Weeks, researcher, author, and curator of the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA, will be presenting her program “New England Quilts and the Stories They Tell”. Quilt history is full of myths and misinformation as well as tales of service and tradition. Pam weaves world history, women’s history, and wonderful stories into her presentation.
Attendees are invited to bring one quilt for identification and/or story sharing. Pam will have copies of her books for sale.
This program starts at 1:30pm and is open to the public free of charge though donations are welcome. The museum is open for viewing of new displays from 1–3:30pm. The Friends of Keep Homestead Museum meeting will take place after the Open House.

Victorian Christmas Traditions
2023-12-03 13:00 - 15:30 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The program “Victorian Christmas Traditions” featuring actress Anne Barrett as Victoria Yule will be presented at the Keep Homestead Museum on Sunday, December 3, 2023.
Victoria will welcome you into her 1865 parlor where she will share the history of many Christmas traditions passed down to her. She will read Dickens, display toys and handmade gifts that the family will exchange around the tree, and sing songs of the season.
Anne Barrett is an actress, historian, and reenactor specializing in portraying women in history. Her characters come to life with costumes and settings that transport the audience back in time.
This creative and engaging performance starts at 1:30 pm in the decorated house and is open to the public free of charge though donations are welcome. The museum is open from 1–3:30 pm.
In addition, the Monson Tree Committee will bring their old-fashioned chestnut roaster and will be roasting chestnuts outside during the event.

Friends of the Keep Homestead Museum Meeting
2023-11-05 15:30 - 16:00 | Keep Homestead Museum, 35 Ely Road, Monson, 01057, United States
The meeting will take place at the close of the Open House event.

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.

Open House
2023-10-01 13:00 - 15:30, 2023-09-03 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
