Jamaica Plain/Roslindale

Summer Events Schedule

 

 

Jamaica Plain/Roslindale: The what

July 28-September 29
Jamaica Plain Historical Society Walking Tours
Green St., Hyde Square, Pondside, Stony Brook, Sumner Hill and Woodbourne neighborhoods
Saturdays, 11 a.m.
Jamaica Plain has a rich history, dating as far back as 1630. The Jamaica Plain Historical Society offers public walking tours through some of the more prominent areas in the neighborhood. You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy this trip down memory lane.  
Free
www.jphs.org

July 3-November 20
Farmer’s Market, Jamaica Plain
Centre St.
Tuesdays, noon-5 p.m., Saturdays, noon-3 p.m.
June 16-end of October
Farmer’s Market, Roslindale
Adams Park
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The usual vendors hawking fresh fruits, veggies and homemade baked goods. 
Free
www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/farmers_markets

July 26 & August 2
Roslindale Concert Series
Adams Park
6 p.m.
Itching for it to be Friday? Begin your weekend early with free concerts brought to you by Mayor Menino’s Office of Arts, Tourism & Special Events and featuring popular local entertainers. Catch acoustic group “Made in the Shade” on the 26th and blues pianist David Maxwell on August 2. All ages welcome.
Free
www.cityofboston.gov/arts

September 9
Jamaica Plain World’s Fair
Centre St. between Hyde and Jackson Squares
Noon-6 p.m.
Jamaica Plain’s 38,000 strong neighborhood is, among other things, known for its incredible diversity and this event is a celebration of that diversity. Show your JP pride and spend the day eating, listening and watching the various forms of entertainment.
Free
www.jpworldsfair.org

September 29 & 30
Jamaica Plain Open Studios
Various locations
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
October 6 & 7
Roslindale Open Studios
Various locations
Saturday, Noon-6 p.m., Sunday, 2-8 p.m.
Both of these neighborhoods are noted for their vibrant arts communities and there’s no better time or place to experience this than at the annual Open Studios. Meet the artists behind the pieces and see many of them in action as you visit various studios and group sites around the area. Make sure to check out the Roslindale Village Main Street Harvest Festival in Adams Park on the 6th.
www.jpopenstudios.com, www.roslindaleopenstudios.org


Jamaica Plain/Roslindale: The where

Samuel Adams Brewery, Jamaica Plain
What could taste better than a cold brew on a hot summer day? Tour the brewery and experience the entire brewing process of Boston’s beloved ales while learning about Boston politician, Samuel Adams, the man behind the name. 21+ to sample beer.
30 Germania St.
www.samueladams.com

Arnold Arboretum
The 265-acre Arboretum, devoted to the art of trees, occupies land in Jamaica Plain and in Roslindale and is one of twelve parks in Boston’s Emerald Necklace. Founded in 1872, and designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and the Arboretum’s first director, Charles Sargent Sprague, this living tree museum encourages visitors to stroll and explore more than 7,000 plants arranged by family and genus, a nod to Sargent’s original vision. Free walking tours take place on most Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
125 Arborway
www.arboretum.harvard.edu

The Loring-Greenough House, Jamaica Plain
With its rural setting, Jamaica Plain, like many other streetcar suburbs, became a popular neighborhood for the wealthy to build their summer homes. This is the last surviving residence in JP’s historic Sumner Hill district. Originally built for Commodore Joshua Loring in 1760, the Massachusetts and Boston landmark is now open to the public for scheduled tours and special events.
12 South St.
www.lghouse.org

Bussey Bridge, Roslindale
Here is the site of the first major railroad disaster in the U.S. The neighborhood was thrust into the spotlight on March 14, 1887 when the Bussey Bridge collapsed with a Boston-bound commuter train upon it. The train toppled into a large opening caused by the collapse. 23 people were killed and 115 were injured; more than half were Roslindale residents on their way to work. The crash site drew visitors from all over and before long, people recognized how lush the rural town was and they began settling in to the area.  The collapse of the bridge ultimately led to new standards in bridge engineering.  The bridge was rebuilt and now carries the MBTA’s Needham Line Commuter Rail.
South and Archdale Streets


Roslindale Village, Roslindale
Roslindale’s active downtown owes its revitalization to current Boston Mayor, and then City Councilor, Thomas Menino and the area’s merchants and residents. In 1985, Roslindale Village became the guinea pig for the new Boston Main Streets program, which, up until then, had never been implemented in an urban setting. Councilor Menino was confident the failing business district could be revived with the program and he was right.  The results are evident and Roslindale Village, or “Rossie Square” as it’s known to long-time residents, is now home to an array of shops, restaurants, bakeries and Adams Park.
www.roslindale.net

Jamaica Plain/Roslindale: The skinny

• JP was home to notable residents such as John Hancock and historian Francis Parkman while designer Joseph Abboud and former NFL linebacker Steve DeOssie called Roslindale home.
• Roslindale’s name was suggested by a well-traveled member of the community who was reminded of the historic town of Roslin, Scotland outside of Edinburgh.  He thought the area was a dale, or valley, because of the hills surrounding it.  Thus the combo of “Roslin” and “dale” formed what we now know of as Roslindale.  
• Sullivan’s Pharmacy in Roslindale Village is the largest independent pharmacy in New England.
• William Fox, for whom film studio 20th Century Fox is named, built a summer mansion in Roslindale and it still stands today.
• Former Massachusetts Governor, William Weld, came from the illustrious Weld family, founders of much of present day Jamaica Plain.