Historical Newton Museum Reopening With Brand New Exhibit

NEWTON, MA — A historic Newton landmark is gearing up for its grand reopening in which it will feature a brand new offering to the community.

The Jackson Homestead and Museum is slated to reopen its doors on Sunday, March 1 after being closed for more than six months. The temporary shutdown was enacted to allow for the installation of a new permanent first-floor exhibit. "Newton: The City We Make" is described as an interactive experience for people of all ages that covers the entirety of the city’s history through objects, images, and personal stories.

“For 75 years, the Jackson Homestead has helped connect people to Newton’s past,” Executive Director of Historic Newton Lisa Dady said. “Rather than presenting a single, linear narrative, 'Newton: The City We Make' traces how the city has been shaped over time by many hands, from Indigenous stewardship and colonization, to migration and movement, to activism and everyday decision-making, and asks visitors to consider their own role in Newton’s ongoing story.”

According to Dady, the exhibit is centered around three themes. The first theme, On This Land, covers the geographical and physical history of Newton. The second theme is titled Making Newton Home, and explores the communities and cultures that have inhabited Newton over the years. The third theme, Creating Change, is about how residents have spoken out for civil justice and change throughout time.

The Jackson Homestead is located at 527 Washington St. and was first built in 1809 and was home to slaveowners. However, it would go on to become a place of refuge for slaves in later generations of ownership and is Newton’s only documented stop as part of the Underground Railroad. The property was donated to the city in 1949 and became the Newton History Museum in less than one year.

“Newton is a city of thousands of stories, and we are all its stewards. We move through the same moments in history, even as we experience them differently,” Mayor Marc Laredo said in a statement. “This new exhibit helps us see how those varied perspectives form a shared civic story of our city.”

In addition to the interior changes, the museum also received exterior maintenance.

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