Historic Newton offers the following programs and events during March. Events are at the Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington Street, unless otherwise noted.

MAP NIGHT
Wednesday, March 20, 7:30 PM
Ever wondered what your neighborhood looked like 50 or 100 years ago? 150 years ago? Join Allison Carter in looking at our collection of historic atlases to find out the answers to questions such as: Whose farm was subdivided to make your house lot? When was your street first laid out? All ages are welcome. Free.

HISTORIC NEWTON BOOK CLUB MEETING
Thursday, March 21, 7:30 PM
At its March meeting, the book club will discuss A Murder in Virginia: Southern Justice on Trial by Suzanne Lebsock. In recounting an 1895 murder investigation and trial in Lunenberg County, Virginia, the author brings to life a forgotten episode of a small, segregated Southern town and frames it against the backdrop of racial strife in the country as a whole. The book provides a fascinating glimpse into the politics and law of the late Reconstruction. A Murder in Virginia won the 2004 Francis Parkman Prize. The book club is free and open to the public, new members are always welcome.

COMPLEMENTARY LIVES: SAMUEL E. COURTNEY AND BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
Thursday, March 28, 7:00 PM
Learn about the “Complementary Lives” of Samuel E. Courtney and Booker T. Washington at this fascinating lecture presented by Holly Robbins of Westfield State University. Ms. Robbins will give an illustrated talk about the personal and professional relationship between Booker T. Washington and his lesser-known loyal friend, Samuel E. Courtney. Ms. Robbins will also discuss Courtney’s Newton, MA connection. Co-Sponsored by Historic Newton and the Newton Free Library. At the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street. Free.

Sunday, March 31
MUSEUM CLOSED FOR EASTER

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
Confronting Our Legacy: Slavery and Antislavery in the North: This new exhibition transforms the lower gallery of the museum into a three-dimensional learning center with hands-on activities and information about colonial slavery, the Underground Railroad, and local abolitionists.

An Architect Ahead of Her Time: Annie Cobb (1830-1911): Starting in the 1870s, Annie Cobb built 16 homes in Newton Highlands and exhibited at the World’s Fair of 1893 in Chicago. She was arguably the first woman architect in America, and succeeded in fashioning a career for herself in the male world of building in a time when women’s work was mainly limited to the home.

Newton and the Civil War: In celebration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, Historic Newton will be featuring a changing exhibit showcasing Newton residents in the Civil War. Also be sure to visit our new Women’s Fashions of the Civil War Era exhibit.

Peeking into Newton’s Toy Chest: The values and lessons toys teach us, as shown by the Historic Newton collection, are explored in this exhibit. Children’s attractions include hands-on toys and a model train.

Mapping a New Town: 1714-1874: Maps depicting Newton’s growth over the centuries are displayed; special activities for children are also featured.

Newton Salutes-Restoring Farlow Park Bridge and Pond: In 1880 John Farlow, a successful railroad businessman, donated land to the city for the purposes of creating Newton’s first open space for recreation and relaxation. The focal point for the park was a lovely pond and handsome Adirondack style bridge. However, in the 1950′s, the water was drained from the pond and the deteriorating bridge removed. This exhibit documents the history of the park and contemporary efforts to restore it.

The Arsenal Center for the Arts offers a full spectrum of classes and workshops beginning the week of March 25 and later.

Children’s classes (for four age groups) include Beginning Artists, Clay for Kids, Mixed-Media, Comics and much more. Fun parent-child workshops are also available. A complete list of classes is available online.

Classes are held at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street in Watertown, with free parking and access to public transportation. Scholarships and member discounts are available. To register, call 617-923-0100, ext. 309, or print & mail the registration form.

Curious about 3D printing? Intrigued by innovations in advanced manufacturing?

MassBay Community College cordially invites middle school students, parents, and guardians to attend a Metrowest Tinkershop on Thursday, March 14, at MassBay’s Wellesley Hills Campus. This innovative event is designed to spark an interest in advanced manufacturing and will feature projects especially for middle school students.

Thursday, March 14, 6-8PM
MassBay Wellesley Hills Campus (just off Route 9), room 320
Light refreshments will be served.

This event is sponsored by Massachusetts AMP it up! Advanced Manufacturing Program and is offered in partnership with MetroWest STEM Education Network (MSEN). Event is free, but early registration is required. Register soon. Space is limited.

For more information or to register, contact Chitra Javdekar, Ph. D. , chair of engineering dept., via email. 

NOTE: Location has been changed to accommodate audience demand. Seating is limited – be sure to register .

Newton’s high school students and their parents are invited to hear the amazing story of former Boston Celtic Chris Herren, who will speak at the Newton North Exhibition Gym at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, March 13.

Do not miss this chance to hear a local basketball legend describe his journey from high school phenom to the NBA, his gradual decent into substance abuse, and his resurrection as an activist for sobriety.

Herren, who is from Fall River, Mass., has been featured on 60 Minutes, was part of ESPN’s “30 for 30″ series in a documentary called “Unguarded” and written an autobiography, “Basketball Junkie”. His presentation offers a very powerful message to students and student-athletes about dealing with success, dealing with adversity, dealing with situations that come in the community, in classroom, and on the playing field.

The presentation is free to the first 500 who register. Click here to reserve your seat.

You are invited to the first ever staged marathon reading of the book, Wonder, on Saturday, March 16 from 9:00am- 7:30pm, at the Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada Street. Come for the entire reading or for parts that you particularly want to hear.

R.J. Palacio’s bestseller Wonder is the story of an ordinary 10-year-old boy, born with an extraordinary face, which explores themes of bullying, empathy, kindness and ultimately acceptance. The cast is comprised of 14 actors and 55 community readers. Taking the lead role of Auggie is Chapin Galowitz, a 6^th grader at Oak Hill, appearing with his parents, Pamela and Adam Galowitz who play Auggie’s parents.  8th grade Oak Hill student Abby Lass will play the role of Via, and Zervas teacher Michael Stern will play Mr. Browne. The cast includes retired Zervas Principal Steve Griffin and Adam Brown, Chair of Newton North High School’s Theatre Ink.

Children are invited to submit a Wonder-inspired drawing, painting, or collage that embrace the themes of inclusiveness, kindness, courage and friendship for an art exhibition which will be on display all day. Artwork should be dropped off to the Newton Cultural Center no later than Wednesday, March 13.

More info is available at the Newton Youth Players website or by calling 617-796-1540.

The event is supported by the Newton Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs, Understanding Our Differences, and Newton Community Pride. A grant from the Newton Cultural Council underwrites the event.

This free workshop from the Multi-service Eating Disorders Association will offer techniques and strategies to help parents of students ages 10-14 foster the development of positive body image and a healthy relationship with food. 

Tuesday, March 12, 7:00 – 8:30 pm a
Day Middle School (Library), 21 Minot Place, Newtonville

Does your child seem preoccupied with her appearance and weight? Do you wonder if your son’s exercise habits have become too intense? Maybe you aren’t even sure if you should be worried? Given that hospitalizations of children under 12 with eating disorders jumped 119% between 1999 and 2006, it is hard to even know what “normal” is for kids these days.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT PARKING AT DAY MIDDLE SCHOOL:
This event will be held in the library. Please park in the back of the school (Albermarle Field side) or along Albermarle Rd. by Gath Pool. Enter via the entrance under the painted mural at the back of the school building. Please enter in the rear of the building (by Albermarle Field).

Newton Parent Advisory Council (NewtonPAC) for Special Education hosts an open presentation by Megan Rozantes, M.S., CCC-SLP.

Speech and language disorders affect one’s ability to talk, understand, read, and write. Such disorders have different causes, and may range from a few speech sound errors to a total loss of the ability to communicate effectively. This presentation will provide an in-depth look into the diagnostic process of Speech & Language Evaluations and Therapy for young children.

Monday, March 11
9:00 to 10:30 AM (Networking beginning at 9:00 AM)
100 Walnut Street (room 210), Newtonville 

Newton Parent Advisory Council (NewtonPAC) for Special Education meetings are free and open to all people interested in learning more about special education.

Questions, contact Eileen or Lisa via email.