123 Elm Street, Millbury, MA
Two hundred years ago a community-focused education movement began in Millbury, Massachusetts and quickly spread to thousands of locations across the Northeast and Midwest United States. Neighbors came together with good will to share knowledge, socialize and strengthen community bonds.
Welcome back to the American Lyceum movement.
The Massachusetts Center for Civic Education and the historic Asa Waters Mansion, both in Millbury, invite you to a weekend of events this November to learn about the history of this movement and its roots in Worcester County and take part in shaping its 21st century impact on our communities. Please join us on Saturday, November 7th, and Sunday, November 8th at Asa Waters Mansion, located at 123 Elm Street, Millbury, MA 01527.
Five scheduled events will take place at the mansion throughout the weekend. Most are free. Guests are invited to attend as many as they’d like.
The keynote speaker for these events will be Dr. Angela G. Ray, a noted lyceum scholar at Northwestern University and a published author on the American Lyceum Movement. Dr. Ray will participate in each of the weekend’s programs.
Josiah Holbrook, a farmer and Yale graduate, founded the first lyceum in Millbury in November 1826. The word “lyceum” is unique: it refers to the garden near the Temple of Apollo in ancient Greece where Aristotle dispensed knowledge nearly 2,500 years ago.
Some communities retain their lyceums even today in dedicated spaces designed for that purpose – but a lyceum can take place anywhere at any time. A lyceum can address any topic that will bring community members together to learn, socialize in person and strengthen community ties.
On Saturday, November 7th, three events will celebrate the history of this movement:
A mid-morning (10:00am – 12:00pm) interactive brunch lecture will examine the history of the American lyceum movement. This is a ticketed event with limited seating in the Great Room of the historic mansion. Tickets will be $35 per person. Please register online through our secure UniBank Unipay site.
A FREE afternoon informative, interactive program (2:00pm to 4:00pm) with refreshments is open to the general public and will focus on the very local roots of this movement which quickly blossomed across the young nation. This event is FREE of charge, but attendees should register to reserve their seats by calling Asa Waters Mansion Director, Traci Parath, at 508.865.0855.
An evening reenactment of the young Abraham Lincoln’s famous lyceum speech will take place by candlelight (7:00pm to 9:00pm) in this period-appropriate setting and feature an interactive multimedia presentation. This is a ticketed event with limited seating in the Great Room of the historic mansion. Tickets will be $10 per person. Please register online through our secure UniBank Unipay site.
On Sunday, November 8th, two events will focus on what a lyceum in the 21st century can be:
A FREE mid-morning program (10:00am – 12:00pm) will feature an interactive panel discussion about what the lyceum movement should look like today. Attendees will break into smaller groups to brainstorm about topics that would draw friends and neighbors to a modern lyceum. These ideas will be documented and put into use as modern day lyceums are designed and offered to the public in local communities. This event is FREE of charge, but attendees should register to reserve their seats by calling Asa Waters Mansion Director, Traci Parath, at 508.865.0855.
The FREE afternoon program (1:00pm to 3:00pm) attend an actual modern lyceum and learn something new. Choose one of these two lively topics:
“A Life In Art” – Meet and talk with Millbury’s three renowned artists. Michael Graves, Scott Nelson and Michael Wackell will display their work, explain their techniques and describe the process of making a successful life through art.
“Perspectives on AI” – Consider artificial intelligence (AI) from multiple perspectives. Engage with State Senator Michael Moore (Second Worcester District) and others from a variety of sectors who are dealing with the impacts of AI.
This event is FREE of charge, but attendees should register to reserve their seats by calling Asa Waters Mansion Director, Traci Parath, at 508.865.0855.
All events take place at the beautifully restored historic Asa Waters Mansion, which is also celebrating its 200th Anniversary in 2026. The mansion is located in downtown Millbury, itself easily accessible from Routes 90, 290, 190, 146 and 20. Free local parking is available.
For more information, please contact Asa Waters Mansion Executive Director, Traci Parath at 508.865.0855.
