Oakes Ames Memorial Hall

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Oakes Ames Memorial Hall

06/17/2026

One of the best parts of the Summer Concert Series? No two Wednesdays sound the same. This year’s lineup mixes returning favorites with brand-new acts, covering everything from laid-back acoustic sets to high-energy bands that make it very hard to stay seated in your lawn chair.

We’ve always tried to bring a little variety to the series because great music comes in a lot of forms, but the one thing every performer has in common is this: they’re really, really good. So whether you’re into classic rock, folk, blues, pop, or funk, we’ve got a concert with your name on it. Honestly, what’s a better way to spend a Wednesday evening than live music outside Oakes Ames Memorial Hall?

Sponsored by Mass Cultural Council.

06/16/2026

Excerpt from The First Three Freds — by The Fourth

My namesake was born on June 8th, 1835. We know nothing of Fred’s early childhood except that early on he must have shown intellectual promise. He was prepared for college for three years in Concord, MA, and a fourth at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire before entering Harvard College as a 17-year-old sophomore and one of the youngest members of the class of 1854.

He was remembered by his classmates as being “a quiet, unassuming young man, who preferred the retirement of his own room to the social life of the college clubs. He held their entire respect, and after graduating, became one of the most conspicuous members of the class”. (Leverett Saltonstall (1825-1895), A Remembrance of Frederick L. Ames 1893, privately printed)

06/12/2026

Our Summer Concert Series, presented with Easton Shovel Town Cultural District, is back for another season of free music under the summer sky — and if you’ve been before, you already know the vibe. Great local bands. Familiar faces. Food and drinks. A crowd that somehow feels both lively and laid back at the same time.

Six years in, this series has become part of summer in Easton — and this year’s lineup is ready to keep the tradition going strong. Wednesday nights in July and August just sound better here! Bring your family and friends (and some lawn chairs) and head to the steps of the Oakes Ames Memorial Hall.

Sponsored by Mass Cultural Council.

06/11/2026

Excerpt from The First Three Freds — by The Fourth

Fred was born on June 8th, 1835; his son Lothrop on July 23rd, 1876, and his grandson Freddie on May 1st, 1905. They died at ages 58, 44, and 27 years old, respectively. Lothrop was 17 when his father died, Freddie was 16 when his father died, and Freddie’s only child, Sally Blair Ames, was two years old. This actuarial trend did not look encouraging for a fourth Fred.

I became a little anxious as my 59th birthday drew near. It looked like I might finally best the great Frederick the First at something, and no small thing at that. Fred had set the bar high for his descendants.

06/08/2026

Excerpt from The First Three Freds — by The Fourth

For most of my life, I had been unsure of who my namesake was. Was it the first Fred, the great Gilded Age capitalist, philanthropist, and patron of the arts? Or was it his third son, my great-uncle, the second Fred, born Lothrop Ames, who was the founder of the famous Langwater Guernsey herd, financier, socialite, and the builder of this imposing house? Or was it his only son, Freddie, my father’s first cousin and the good friend of his youth? The bold one, the flyer, the ocean racer, and early aviation entrepreneur?

My first week of life was spent in the Boston Lying-In Hospital. For some good reason, I hope, my parents hadn’t yet named me.

Soon after being declared viable and arriving safely home in North Easton, my parents named me Thomas. My brothers David and Bill objected strongly.

I was once again a nameless child. With Winthrop now fifteen years in the grave, once more into the breach dear cousins stepped my Great-Aunt Minnie, (known as Mrs. Frothingham). She had no children of her own but was fond of children and took a great interest in the lives of her nieces and nephews. According to Hazel Varella, who knew my great-aunt well, Aunt Minnie had asked my father to name me after her father, my great-grandfather, the first Fred.

06/05/2026

A couple of weeks ago, we shared a photo of Brockton artist Linda Fargo quietly painting beneath the arches of the Loggia. Today, we're delighted to share her finished watercolor.

While preservation helps protect the past, places like Oakes Ames Memorial Hall continue to inspire generations of artists, photographers, musicians, and visitors who find something worth capturing in its architecture, history, and distinctive character. Linda's beautiful watercolor is a fitting reminder that the Hall remains not just a historic landmark, but a living source of creativity and inspiration.

06/04/2026

A special connection between two legendary Massachusetts Guernsey herds!

When State Commissioner of Agriculture Ashley E. Randle spoke at Easton Grange on May 11, Fred and Bill Ames presented her with a book about the past and present of Langwater Farm, one of Easton’s historic and nationally recognized Guernsey herds.

Ashley’s family farm, Indian Acres in South Deerfield, is itself a foundational Guernsey herd known for producing prize-winning dairy cows and exceptional genetics focused on milk fat and protein. In fact, Ashley was just a 17-year-old 4-H member when her cow, Pistachio Pie, earned the title of Supreme Champion Cow at the 2007 World Dairy Expo — competing across all breeds. An extraordinary accomplishment, and the herd continues to thrive today.

Like Indian Acres, Langwater Farm once held world records and played an important role in improving Guernsey cattle through careful breeding programs that helped strengthen herds across the country.

And there’s much more to the Langwater story still to come. Later this summer, we’ll be taking a deeper dive into the life of the first Frederick Lothrop Ames and the famous Langwater Guernseys, a remarkable chapter in Easton’s agricultural history.

06/02/2026

July is almost here… and that can only mean one thing around town: Easton Shovel Town Cultural District's Summer Concert Series season!

For the past six summers, Wednesday nights in Easton have transformed into something special — lawn chairs lining up early, music echoing through downtown, friends catching up on the steps, kids dancing, and neighbors turning into a crowd. What started as a fun community event has become one of Easton’s favorite summer traditions… and every year it keeps getting bigger. Free live music. Summer evenings. The iconic Hall. Honestly, what could be better? The countdown is ON!

Sponsored by Mass Cultural Council.

05/28/2026

THE INDUSTRIOUS AMES FAMILY | PART 9

P.S. One final bronze chapter to the Ames story:

The celebrated equestrian statue of George Washington in the Boston Public Garden was also cast by the Ames Manufacturing Company. Sculpted by Thomas Ball and unveiled in 1869, the bronze monument quickly became one of the Public Garden’s most recognizable landmarks. At the time, having such a significant monument designed and cast entirely in Massachusetts was a source of enormous local pride, and remains a lasting example of the craftsmanship and influence of the Ames family era.

05/26/2026

This Beautiful Massachusetts Farm Is Hiding a Secret From the Legendary Gilded Age 👇🏻

Address

3 Barrows Street
North Easton, MA
02356

Telephone

+15082389995

Website

http://www.oakesameshall.org/

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