The Harvard Shakers
The Harvard Historical Society will present author Ned Quist Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m., at the meetinghouse at 215 Still River Road. Quist will discuss his new book “The Harvard Shakers and Their Cultural Landscape,” and how documentary evidence and the landscape tell the story of this remarkable cultural legacy. Refreshments and book signing follow. $5 donation appreciated. See story From cellar holes and journals, author recreates the cultural landscape of the Harvard Shakers.
At the library
The Harvard Public Library is at 4 Pond Road. For the full calendar of events and to register for events, visit HarvardPublicLibrary.org/services/events.
Children’s programs
- Exhibit: “Celebrations Around the World” features Golden Week in Japan. On view through May in the children’s room.
- Sensory playtime, all ages, best for under 6. Saturday, May 16, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Baby and toddler disco party, ages 0 to 3+ and their grown-ups, Thursday, May 21, 10:30 a.m. Dance with your child; includes flashing lights and noise.
Teen programs
- Teen maker day, grades 6-12, Thursday, May 21, 2:45 p.m.
- Teen treat program, grades 6-12, Thursday, May 28, 2:45 p.m.
Adult programs
- Cookbook Club, Tuesday, May 19, 6:30 p.m. Browse a cookbook and bring a dish to share. This month, England.
- Brown Bag Book Club, Wednesday, May 20, noon. Book is “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer.
- Children’s literature book discussion group for grown-ups, Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule, hours, and more information.
- Exhibit: “Birds!,” through May 30.
- Snapology school half day: Castles and kingdoms, medieval engineering and design. Friday, May 15, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
- Free open house: Rebound Boots fitness, Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Adult improv workshop, Monday, May 18, 7 to 8 p.m.
- Music is meditation, Fridays, May 22, 29, and June 5, 9 to 10 a.m.
- Painted Perches, birdhouse painting for families. Sunday, May 24, 10 to 11 a.m.
- Tweet Treats, bird feeder creation for families. Sunday, May 24, 11 a.m. to noon.
At Hildreth Elementary School
- Paint and popcorn, Tuesdays to June 16, 3:40 to 5 p.m.
- Paint and plant for kids, two-day workshop. Tuesday, May 19, and Thursday, May 21, 3:45 to 4:30 p.m.
- Pokemon club, Wednesdays to June 17, 3:40 to 4:40 p.m.
‘Talley’s Folly’ at Fivesparks
The Pulitzer Prize-winning romantic drama “Talley’s Folly” will be presented at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank St., Friday, May 15, to Sunday, May 17, and Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24. Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Set in rural Missouri in 1944, the story follows the courtship between Matt Friedman, a Jewish accountant, and Sally Talley, a nurse from a conservative Protestant family. Visit fivesparks.org/talleys-folly for tickets and more information.
‘Emma’ at Cannon Theatre
The Cannon Theatre will present Jane Austen’s “Emma” weekends, Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 31, at 28 Andrews Parkway, Devens. Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. curtain; Sunday 2 p.m. curtain. This popular and critically acclaimed adaptation by Paul Gordon is a musical retelling that keeps the language and spirit of the original text. Tickets and information at TheCannonTheatre.org.
Celebration open house
Bromfield Celebration, Harvard’s postprom event for juniors and seniors, will hold its annual public open house Friday, May 15, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the Hildreth Elementary School, 27 Mass. Ave. This is an opportunity to view the event’s decorations before the students arrive.
Guided bird walks
The Boxborough Birders will lead a series of guided bird walks through local conservation lands. Part of the Fivesparks “Birds!” exhibit, the walks are free and open to all. For information and registration visit fivesparks.org/birds.
- Saturday, May 16, 7 to 10 a.m., Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road
- Saturday, May 23, 8 to 10 a.m., Hermann Orchard Conservation Lands, 51 Mill Road.
Garden Club plant sale
The Garden Club of Harvard will hold its annual plant sale Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. to noon, at Westward Orchards, 178 Mass. Ave., rain or shine. Find all types of plants, including native plants, vegetables, perennials, shrubs, and houseplants, all ready for planting in our area. Pay by cash, check, or credit card.
UNACC powwow
The United Native American Cultural Center will present its annual Chief Roland Jerome Memorial Powwow Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, noon to 5 p.m. each day, at the cultural center, 29 Antietam Street, Devens. The event will include drumming, dancing, flute players, silent auction, and a food tent. Free and open to all. For more information visit calendar.powwows.com/events/unacc-chief-roland-jerome-memorial-pow-wow.
‘Scenic Songs: A Hiking Concert’
Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road, will host “Scenic Songs: A Hiking Concert with Nora Meier, Alouette Batteau, & Nicolas Emden” Saturday, May 16, 1 to 4 p.m. Spend the afternoon on the Fruitlands trail system, stopping halfway to enjoy acoustic sets from emerging artists from Club Passim’s upcoming Campfire Festival. Tickets $48 members, $60 nonmembers, register at TheTrustees.org/event/447472.
Memorial Day at Devens
A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at Devens Thursday, May 21, 10 a.m., at the Fort Devens Post Cemetery, 35 Patton Road.
Middle school chorus will sing for the WooSox
The Bromfield Middle School chorus will perform the national anthem on the field for the WooSox game Saturday, May 23, 4 p.m., at Polar Park, 100 Madison St., Worcester. Enjoy the game as the Worcester Red Sox battle the Rochester Red Wings. For discounted tickets in Bromfield/HPS-reserved sections on the first-base line, visit tbms.psharvard.org>>TBMS Weekly Newsletter - Issue 25-26.32 and scroll down to Community News and Events.
Vernal pool exploration
The Harvard Conservation Trust will host an exploration of vernal pools at Barba’s Point with biologist Bob Douglas Sunday, May 24, 1 to 2:30 p.m. The event is appropriate for most school-age children and curious preschoolers. Wear waterproof footwear or good walking shoes, and apply bug spray. Nets will be provided, and families are welcome to bring their own. Register in advance at HarvardConservationTrust.org/calendar/calendar-of-events-vernal-pool-exploration-may-24-2026.
Stories on the farm
Fugitive Productions will host storytelling Sunday, May 24, 3 p.m., at Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio, 38 Eldridge Road. The afternoon will include four regional, award-winning storytellers as well as several local, hand-picked tellers. May’s theme is “risk.” Tickets $20 at the door, $15 in advance. Visit fugitiveproductions.com/calendar.
Pancake breakfast
The Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church will host its Memorial Day pancake breakfast Monday, May 25, from 8 to 10 a.m., at the church’s Fellowship Building, 7 Elm St. Pancakes, fruit, sausage, and coffee will be served, with gluten-free and vegetarian options. Free but donations welcomed.
Memorial Day remembrance
Harvard’s Memorial Day commemorations will be held Monday, May 25, beginning at 10 a.m. with a parade in the center of town. The route will include the Civil War Memorial, the Center Cemetery, and the World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf War memorials, and will conclude at the World War I Memorial and flagpole for the day’s ceremony. After the parade, participants may continue by car to the Corporal Skillings Memorial in Still River, Bellevue Cemetery, and the Shaker Village Cemetery, where wreaths will be placed and taps played. Scouting America, Girl Scouts, the police and fire departments, Immaculate Heart of Mary marching band, and all veterans who wish to walk in the parade are welcome.
African drumming class
Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio will hold an eight-week African drumming class Thursdays beginning May 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the farm at 38 Eldridge Road. Learn from Moussa Traore who will interpret West Africa through the richness, complexity, and beauty of its rhythms. Drums will be available. $30 per class or $200 for the series. Register by email at blaseofire@gmail.com or call 978-501-4733.
Electronics recycling
Harvard Boy Scouts Troop 1 will receive electronics for recycling Saturday, May 30, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Bromfield School. Most small electronics items will be accepted, including laptops, monitors, game consoles, and printers. Small appliances such as grills, fans, and space heaters are also welcome. No fee, but cash donations to support Troop 1 are welcome.
Eco-friendly home tours
The Harvard Climate Initiative Committee will host eco-friendly home tours Saturday, May 30, 2 to 4 p.m. Visit four homes in Harvard to see heat pumps (ground and air source, ducted and minisplits), solar installations, electric lawn equipment, and more. Registration is helpful but not required; visit HarvardMAClimateInitiative.org.
Save these dates
- Friday, May 29: PTO Spring Soiree
- Sunday, June 7: Bare Hill Triathlon, Duathlon, and Aquabike
- Tuesday, June 23: Library ice cream social.
Out of town
Gropius open house
The Gropius House, 68 Baker Bridge Road, Lincoln, will be open Friday, May 15, 5 to 8 p.m. Walter Gropius was one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century. His 1938 family home highlights the clean lines of Modernist design. Free, suitable for families with kids ages 7 and older. Find more information at FreedomsWay.org/event/gropius-open-house-2026.
Music of spring and love
Enjoy music for the season Sunday, May 17, 4 p.m., at the Curtis Performing Arts Center, Assumption University, 500 Salisbury St., Worcester. Soprano Maria Ferrante and two pianists will present song settings by local composer Steve Peisch and Robert Schumann’s Dichterliebe song cycle. Free. For information: HundredsRecords.com.