Golden Ball Tavern Museum
"Lost Liberties - Broken Promises"

"Lost Liberties - Broken Promises " is a yearlong exhibit focusing on the enslaved, indigenous, displaced Loyalists, and veterans of Weston who were on the wrong side of history. The exhibit opens in February 2026 and will continue throughout the year.

The exhibit is funded by a grant received from Mass Humanities program for "Expand Massachusetts Stories - Promises of the Revolution”. which has a special focus on the 250th. Mass Humanities grants are made possible by funding from the Mass Cultural Council.

"Lost Liberties - Broken Promises"
Golden Ball Tavern Museum
An Evening of Colonial Dance - Lecture and ...

COLONIAL DANCE! Lecture and Lesson

Get ready to step back in time and learn about colonial dance and practice colonial dance moves at this fun event! Join us at the Josiah Smith Tavern on Thursday, February 12th at 6.30 p.m. for an enjoyable evening! Tickets available HERE!

An Evening of Colonial Dance - Lecture and Lesson!
Golden Ball Tavern Museum
Our 59th Annual Barn Sale is on September 26th, ...

Our 59th Annual Barn Sale will be on September 26th, 2026. Mark your calendars and start cleaning out your unused items!

Our 59th Annual Barn Sale is on September 26th, 2026
Golden Ball Tavern Museum
Taverns in the News, 1775: A Tale of Two Taverns

You can now find the presentation by Joseph M. Adelman, Ph.D. expounding on the role of taverns in the Revolutionary Era on our YouTube channel. Link HERE.

This talk was presented by The Golden Ball Tavern Museum and the Friends of the Josiah Smith Tavern.

(Image of Golden Ball Tavern Museum’s original taproom).

Taverns in the News, 1775: A Tale of Two Taverns
Golden Ball Tavern Museum
The Plight of the Loyalists in Massachusetts - ...

We welcomed Larry C. Kerpelman for a lecture on “The Plight of Loyalists in Massachusetts.” This lecture was held on October 9th. The recording can be found here.

The Plight of the Loyalists in Massachusetts - a lecture with author Larry C. Kerpelman

"Lost Liberties - Broken Promises"

"Lost Liberties - Broken Promises"

"Lost Liberties - Broken Promises " is a yearlong exhibit focusing on the enslaved, indigenous, displaced Loyalists, and veterans of Weston who were on the wrong side of history. The exhibit opens in February 2026 and will continue throughout the year.

The exhibit is funded by a grant received from Mass Humanities program for "Expand Massachusetts Stories - Promises of the Revolution”. which has a special focus on the 250th. Mass Humanities grants are made possible by funding from the Mass Cultural Council.

Thursday Tours at the Golden Ball Tavern Museum

Thursday Tours at the Golden Ball Tavern Museum

THE MUSEUM IS OPEN FOR TOURS ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12th!

Visit the museum on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for our weekly Open House Tours Learn about 200 years of the Jones family, the “Weston Tea Party”, the visits of General Gage’s spies and Paul Revere’s men. You will also see our 2026 exhibit “Lost Liberties - Broken Promises” sponsored by Mass Humanities and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Second Sunday Open House Tours

Second Sunday Open House Tours

NOTE: THE MUSEUM WILL RESUME SECOND SUNDAY OPEN HOUSE TOURS ON SUNDAY MARCH 8TH.

Join us every Second Sunday of the month from 1-3 p.m. and learn about six generations of the Jones family living in this house for 200 years! Learn about the unique role that the tavern and Isaac Jones played during the Revolutionary War - including the visits from British Spies, Paul Revere’s men and a Weston Tea Party. and view our sculpture “Mightier Than the Sword”. Free and Family Friendly…A fun, family friendly day out!

The Franklin Stove - An Unintended American Revolution

The Franklin Stove - An Unintended American Revolution

Join us for this very relevant talk about Ben Franklin's invention to solve the climate crisis of his time - global cooling! Author Joyce E. Chaplin will share her findings found in her book “The Franklin Stove” in an in-person talk at the museum’s Visitors Center on Thursday, March 31st from 7-8 p.m. The program is free to members and $10 for non-members. Register HERE.

Save the Date! Upcoming Events at The Golden Ball Tavern Museum

gOLDEN bALL tAVERN mUSEUM

2026 Calendar of Events

  • January 8th, 2026 - Lecture: Henry Knox’s Noble Train with author William Hazelgrove

  • February 12h, 2026 - Opening of Special Exhibit: Lost Liberties - Broken Promises.*

    Thursday tours resume - every Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • February 12th, 2026 - Event: Colonial Dance lecture and lessons with Jacob and Nancy Bloom **

  • March 8th, 2026 - Second Sunday Open House Tours resume 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

  • March 11th, 2026 - Lecture: Natick and the Road to Revolution by Niki Lefebvre of Natick Historical Society

  • March 25, 2026 - Program: Women of ‘76 (Lesser known women of the American Revolution***

  • March 31st, 2026 - Program: The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution with author Joyce Chaplin

  • April 14th - Program: The Robbins Story with Jen Turner

  • May 12th, 2026 - Lecture: From the Battlefield to The Stage : The Many Lives of General Burgoyne with author Norman Posen

  • August 19th: Event - Outdoor Concert with Crossroads Band

  • September 26th - Event: 59th Annual Barn Sale! 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • October 25th - Program: Weston Cemetery Tour*****

  • November 13th - Program: Indian Pudding and Tavern Food, with food historian Stacy Booth

  • December 5th - 12th - Special Exhibit: Trimming the Tavern *****

  • December 6th - Event: Members Wassail Party

* This exhibit is sponsored by Mass Humanities and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

** Partnering with the Josiah Smith Tavern and the Weston Historical Society

*** Partnering with the Weston Public Library

**** Partnering with Weston Historical Society

***** Partnering with the Country Garden Club of Weston and other community partners