Around Town

Historical Society Joining Browne House for 2 Upcoming Events

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The Browne House, built in 1698, is the oldest standing house in Watertown. The following announcement was provided by the Historical Society of Watertown:

The Historical Society of Watertown is joining with the Browne House for 2 upcoming events:

Community on the Lawn at Browne House, Watertown

562 Main Street, Watertown

Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Join Historic New England and local cultural organizations for an afternoon of history, culture, and connection. Explore the Browne House, enjoy family-friendly activities and lawn games, browse books at the mobile library, and meet your neighbors as we celebrate Watertown’s rich heritage. Participating organizations include:

Watertown LibraryHistorical Society of WatertownWatertown Public Arts & CultureThe Pigsgusset InitiativeCharles River Museum of Industry and InnovationGore Place

Tour the 2 Oldest Houses in Watertown on the Same Day

Sunday, June 15, 2025

The Browne House (c. 1698) at 562 Main Street, Watertown

Tours at 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00 noon

(Free for Watertown Residents)

The Edmund Fowle House (1772) at 28 Marshall St, Watertown

Tours at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m.

(Free that day for Watertown Residents)

Around Town

Watertown Group Will Participate in Mother’s Day Walk for Peace

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Watertown Walks for PeaceWatertown Walks for Peace joined the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Walks for Peace:

Watertown Walks for Peace  Sunday May 11

We hope you will join us again with donations and walking for the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace.  For those who walk we will have a bus so we can gather  and return together. Or meet us there! What better way to honor your mother than to partake in the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace and support the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute and its services to families and communities affected by gun violence. This is our 11th consecutive year participating in the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester. 

Visit our webpage to sign up to walk and/or donate and help achieve our fundraising goal. Last year we raised over $7,000. Can we top that? As always, there will be inspiring speakers, an energizing walk, and a welcoming community of supporters.

Around Town

Mt. Auburn St. Project: Conduit Installation Continues Near School & Boylston Streets

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During the week of April 28 through May 3, 2025, work on the Mt. Auburn Street Project includes installation of conduit in two areas of the roadway, including at the intersections of School and Boylston streets. See more in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown:

Next at School St. and Boylston St. 

Starting Monday, April 28, 2025 Newport Construction will continue installing traffic electrical conduit (underground electrical pipes) at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and School Street beginning at 7am. During this time Newport Construction will also continue down Mount Auburn Street to install electrical conduits at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Boylston Street. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts

During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will remain on Mount Auburn Street.

Weather

Weather Forecast: Rain and Shine This Week in Watertown

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Eastern Massachusetts wraps up April with a dynamic spring pattern — mild and dry conditions to start, followed by a soaking Saturday, a brisk cooldown Sunday, and a return to sunshine and warmth early next week. A strong frontal system brings widespread rain and a few thunderstorms on Saturday, followed by cooler, drier air and gusty northwest winds on Sunday. The start of May looks bright and pleasant as high pressure builds in, with sunshine and spring warmth dominating Monday through Wednesday. A weak front may introduce a chance of showers by Thursday or Friday, but confidence on exact timing remains low. Overall, it’s a week of changing skies and temperatures —a classic New England spring.

Business

New Restaurant Opening in Former Fit-Z’s Spot

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A new Irish and American bar will replace a neighborhood favorite on the Westside of Watertown. The facade of the former Fit-Z’s Bar & Grille has been repainted and now displays “West on Main,” and a Guinness sign hangs next to it. An advertisement on social media from West on Main says:

“West on Main blends the best of an Irish and American bar, creating a welcoming neighborhood spot in Watertown, MA. Serving comfort food, rotating specials, and a traditional Sunday roast, it’s the go-to place for great food, drinks, and live sports.” Boston Restaurant Talk shared a Bluesky post with a photo of the new look for the space at 451 Main St., Watertown.

Around Town

Learn All About Fungus at the Watertown Library! Events for All Ages

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

The library that brought you Space Week is landing back on planet earth. May 5-8, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) is hosting its first-ever Fungus Week! Community members of all ages are invited to learn more about our most underrated bio kingdom: fungi! During Fungus Week, children will have a chance to learn “How Trees Talk” with the help of fungus. Grades 6–12 will be able to observe mushrooms growing in enclosed habitats in the Teen Room, and adults can register to learn the principles of fermentation, mushroom identification, and more.

Around Town

Live Well Watertown Hosting Event About Building Your Community Network

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The following announcement was provided by Live Well Watertown:

Join us for refreshments and conversation about fostering social and community connections! Tuesday, April 29, 7:00 – 8:30pmWatertown Public LibraryRegister here: Build Your Watertown Community Network EventLocally made tea and cookies will be served

Learn about the health benefits of social connections

Hear from neighborhood organizers on how to build communication channels or hold a block party

Receive resources and information about volunteer opportunities

Get inspired to cultivate connectivity or get involved in your community! A Live Well Watertown initiative in collaboration with Watertown’s Community Engagement Specialist and Watertown Community Conversations

Community Connect is a new initiative aimed at cultivating social connectedness, meaningful collaborations, and a shared sense of belonging. Join us in creating a resilient community that supports social wellbeing, values diversity, and collective growth. Community connections have been noted to increase both individual well-being as well as community well-being.

Around Town

10 Watertown Organizations Named Winners in WSB Annual Customer Choice Awards

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The Watertown Boys & Girls Club received a Customer Choice Award. Pictures Kelly Cronin from WSB, the Boys & Girls Club’s Kerry Evans, Gary Beatty, Megan O’Halloran, and WSB CEO Brett Dean). Watertown Savings Bank recently announced the winners of the annual Customer Choice Awards. See the announcement from the Bank below. On Wednesday, April 9, Watertown Savings Bank (WSB) distributed $100,000.00 amongst 33 local non-profit organizations chosen by its banking customers and local residents, at their 26th Annual Customer Choice Awards Night held at the American Legion Post 440 in Newton.