Historic Site Events

Did you know that over 1,100 bodies lie beneath the sanctuary of Old North Church? Explore Old North’s crypt on an after-hours tour. These 45-minute guided adventures are jam-packed with fascinating stories about the people buried in the crypt, colonial death practices, and the latest archeological discoveries.

After-Hours Crypt Tours run Friday and Saturday nights at 5:30 and 6:15pm starting September 13, 2024. From October 18 – November 2, tours will run every night. Tickets are $20 per person. These tours usually sell out quickly and only have a capacity of 20 people, so grab tickets before they’re gone!

Please note that participants should be comfortable in a basement setting and navigating tight spaces. The crypt has low lighting, and uneven surfaces, and is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. Historical topics discussed include death, burials, and human remains.

Cradle to Revolution: The Hidden History of America’s Children
Live on Zoom
September 25, 2024
7:00 – 8:30pm

When we think about Americans who changed the course of history, we rarely think about children. In the popular imagination, young people usually stand on the sidelines of history, sheltered and coddled by the adults who really make things happen. In reality, however, children have played a vital part in American politics and culture since the colonial era.

In this online talk, Dr. Anna Mae Duane of the University of Connecticut will explore the often-overlooked role of children in shaping the course of early American history. From the Salem Witch Trials to the Revolutionary War and the fight against slavery, Dr. Duane will reveal how young voices and actions influenced pivotal moments in our nation’s past, including revolutionary changes in social and political structures.

Our Dearly Departed: A History of Mourning Jewelry
Live on Zoom
October 29, 2024
7:00 – 8:30pm 

Mourning jewelry in Western European (and later, American) culture dates back to the 16th century but gained huge popularity in the mid-19th century when Queen Victoria mourned the death of her beloved Prince Albert. A few years later, America was embroiled in a civil war with massive loss of life, also creating a big demand for items of mourning.

In this talk, Sarah Nehama, a metalsmith and antique jewelry collector, will give an overview history of mourning jewelry, beginning with the source of its early iconography in memento mori jewelry and objects. She will cover style, iconography, and materials from the mid-17th century up to the early 20th century, showing mourning jewelry’s place in connection to political and public figures, as well as intimate friends and family. Its relation to sentimental jewelry through this time period, particularly sentimental pieces incorporating hair, portraits, or photos, will also be covered. Sarah will have many visual examples to share, and she will highlight jewelry with specific New England connections.