Land and Liberty
Ongoing Exhibition
Jackson Homestead and Museum; Durant-Kenrick House
Newton, Massachusetts
www.historicnewton.org
The rooms at the Durant Kenrick House come alive with the voices of the three families that lived in it and interactive exhibits in each room allow visitors to step back into three different centuries and meet them. In the downstairs parlor, 18th century resident Edward Durant and his friends engage in a spirited debate over tea. Upstairs, Kenrick relative Sarah Jackson speaks about slavery she witnessed during a 19th century visit to Virginia. The children and grandchildren of Arthur and Frances Dewing remember the final residents of the house on an IPad installation in the restored 20th century library.
Each room of the house offers hands-on activities based on the historical period featured in that room. A separate Family Learning Center invites children and adults to experience hands-on history— come visit us and construct a timber frame house, lie in a straw pallet bed, smell the scents of imported plants, or try your hand at Colonial farming. The exhibits at the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds promise education and fun for all!
Photo by Robin Boger
