Marlborough, MASS. March 26, 2019 – This summer, Marlborough will become the first Massachusetts community to establish a Museum in the Streets, a free walking tour that will showcase the city’s historical identity through a series of informational panels installed across the downtown area. 

The tour, which is curated by the Marlborough Historical Society (MHS) and is expected to launch on Memorial Day, will begin at the Marlborough Public Library and Monument Square and loop around to East Main and Maple Streets. It will consist of 24 stand-alone panels containing historical texts, photos and illustrations. There will be two location map panels—one at the library and one in front of City Hall— which will help guide visitors through the tour. Pocket maps will also be available.

The Museum in the Streets project is a joint effort between the City of Marlborough, MHS, Marlborough Historical Commission (MHC), Marlborough Downtown Village Association and the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Funding for the project will come, in part, from a $5,000 Mass Cultural Council grant the city received last year, which MEDC had applied for and accepted on behalf of the Downtown Village Association. The Marlborough Brigham Family Trust, the Avidia Bank Foundation, and the Main Street Bank Foundation have also provided financial support. 

“This is one of the most rewarding local projects I’ve had the pleasure of working on,” said MHC chair, Robert Fagone. “From the rise and fall of the apple and shoe industries, to the fascinating stories of one of the women who helped found the American Civil Liberties Union and the man who warned of the oncoming British Army, Marlborough’s history is rich and colorful. I think it is very important for people to know their place in history, so I simply cannot wait to share some of these culturally and historically significant local stories with the city’s residents and visitors.”

“The Museum in the Streets is yet another first for Massachusetts that is happening right here in Marlborough,” said MEDC executive director, Meredith Harris. “We are proud to be at the forefront of a movement that both embraces local history and champions urban development in the region. It’s yet another reason for people to come to our city.”

Launched in 1996 by historian Patrick Cardon, Museum in the Streets has become an international series of walking tours that foster a sense of historical identity, encourage preservation of local sites and educate about stories, events and traditions. A number of communities across France, Italy and the US—including in Connecticut, Maine, New York, Virginia, Michigan and Minnesota—already have established a Museum in the Streets.

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About The Museum in the Streets:

The Museum in the Streets creates heritage discovery trails for the benefit of a community's inhabitants and tourists. Working closely with town historical societies, we design free walking tours that foster a sense of historical identity, educate, encourage preservation of local historic sites and promote knowledge of stories, events and traditions. Our historical panels, rich with local archival imagery, are installed in cities and towns around the United States and Europe. For more information, visit  http://www.themuseuminthestreets.com.

About MEDC:

The Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is the state chartered economic development corporation for the City of Marlborough, MA and represents a public-private partnership for planning. MEDC works with municipal and private investors to foster economic development, job growth and community revitalization.For a complete overview of MEDC, visit  MarlboroughEDC.com.