Rochester Historical Society on July 4th

On July 4 the Rochester Historical Society at our museum formerly the East Rochester Congregational Church at 355 County Rd. will be ringing our 154 yr. old bell as part of Freedom Bells. Anyone arriving at 11:30 am will have a chance at ringing the bell. We’re encouraging people to bring any bells they have […] Read more »

Independence Day

On Friday, July 3, the Marion Concert Band will open its 2026 concert season with a program of patriotic music in celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The program is as follows:             National Emblem March – E. E. Bagley             Esprit de Corps – R. Jager             American Pageant – T. Knox             God Bless […] Read more »

July 3 Fireworks Celebration at Silvershell Beach

            Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman, Police Chief Richard B. Nighelli and Fire Chief Brian Jackvony urge residents to celebrate safely this upcoming Fourth of July weekend and ask motorists to follow traffic and parking guidelines for the July 3 Fireworks Celebration at Silvershell Beach.             The Marion Fireworks Committee has announced the return of the […] Read more »

Rochester Historical Society

July will be busy at the Museum. We have given new life to the bell in the belfry of the East Rochester Church, now our museum. We will be ringing it at noon on July 4. We are encouraging anyone who would like to try their hand at ringing it to be at the museum […] Read more »

Mattapoisett Town Band

The Mattapoisett Town Band will begin our 2026 season on July 1 with a Fourth of July patriotic spectacular concert, celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America.             This will be the first concert in an eight-week series the Mattapoisett Town band will hold every Wednesday night, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 […] Read more »

New Guide Helps Marion Homeowners Care for Street Trees

The Town of Marion Trees and Parks Committee is pleased to announce the release of an updated booklet, “A Homeowner Guide to Marion’s Street Trees,” which will be available at the Town of Marion Fourth of July parade, the Elizabeth Taber Library, the Town House, the Council on Aging, and later shared with local realtors […] Read more »

Sippican Woman’s Club Scholarships

The Sippican Woman’s Club is pleased to announce that they have awarded $11,100.00 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors who reside in Marion and in addition, they have awarded $4,500 in renewal/continuing education scholarships to residents of Marion enrolled in a post-secondary college/university. The funds used to award these scholarships came from the money […] Read more »

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

In the early days of the conflict between the American colonies and Great Britain, there was no great push for an actual split from the mother country. Trouble began in 1761, after King George III (shown here) was installed on the throne and he issued a “writ of assistance”. For many years, Britain had neglected […] Read more »

Reading Frederick Douglass Together

The Marion Art Center will present a public reading of Frederick Douglass’s 1852 speech What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? A diverse group of readers from the South Coast region will read an abridged version of Douglass’s famous speech. Audience members are invited to join the community conversation led by guest scholar […] Read more »

July at the Rochester Historical Museum

In preparation for Freedom Bells on July 4th, Russ and Wendy Keeler climbed into the attic of the museum formerly known as the East Rochester Congregational Church and oiled and greased our bell that was cast in 1872. It rings (we’re not sure what the bats in the belfry thought about that). We’re encouraging people […] Read more »