75 years ago, Jackson descendent Frances Middendorf donated the Jackson Homestead (built 1809) to the City of Newton to open as a museum of Newton history. During this anniversary year, the site will be transformed inside and out!
This summer and fall, scaffolding and work trucks will appear. The entire exterior will be repainted, shutters rehabbed, and new gutters installed. The front portico and west-side porch will be rebuilt and include waterproofing at the basement seam.
On the inside, the entire first floor will be transformed with a new exhibit that shares Newton’s complex stories titled Newton: The City We Make. Therefore, Jackson Homestead will be temporarily shutting its doors to allow for the time-consuming and intricate work of deinstalling, painting, and installing the new exhibition.
Sunday, August 17 will be the final day the Jackson Homestead is open to the public in 2025 (the offices will still be open). Guests should expect the transformation to take multiple months, with a grand opening on the horizon in early 2026. Signup for our eNews to follow along with our progress and stay informed.
During the closure, Historic Newton will continue to actively engage with the community. We encourage everyone to experience history in the following ways:
- Visit the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds—Historic Newton’s other museum tells the story of Newton through three eras. You will learn about Edward Durant’s involvement in the lead up to the American Revolution and about Titus, one of potentially two enslaved people who lived and worked on that site in the 1700s. You can explore the horticultural history of Newton through Kenrick's impressive 19th-century nursery business. And picture yourself among the Dewings, ardent historic preservationists of the 20th-century.
- Explore Newton’s “Museum Without Walls” online exhibits— Read about Pamela Sparkhawk, a formerly enslaved woman who dared petition the state to inherit her brother’s property; alongside other digital exhibits on Indigenous history, Newtonians’ COVID-19 experiences, the Underground Railroad, and more.
- Attend a public program, all around the city—join walking tours and lectures. Play trivia at our booth at community events. Save the date of September 28 for the popular Hayfest fall festival (still happening in Jackson Homestead’s back lawn!).
While we reimagine and refurbish one of Newton’s most historic buildings, we hope you’ll continue to learn with us throughout the city.
Please refer to our website here for more details on the exhibit project and the coinciding fundraising campaign. If you would like to contribute financially to the exploration of Newton’s past, please contact Laura Grzybowski, Director of Development at lgrzybowski@historicnewton.org.
