The Depot
Our fourth museum - The Lexington Depot - will open in April 2025! The Depot operated as a train station from 1846 until 1977. It currently houses our offices and serves as an event space. Now we are transforming it into an exhibition and education space for all of Lexington’s history, from pre-colonial times to the present day!
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13 Depot Square, Lexington, MA 02420
The Depot is conveniently located in the heart of Lexington behind a small park on Masachusetts Avenue. A municipal parking lot is located directly behind the building.
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The Depot houses the Lexington Historical Society’s offices and is the perfect place for meetings, receptions, and celebrations. Consider renting our space for your next family party, community event, or corporate gathering.
Due to the Depot Transformation Project, the space will not be available for rent after November 3, 2024. Rentals will resume around May 2025. Rental inquiries for 2025 will not be accepted until February 2025.
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The Depot Transformation Project
12/17/24 - Donor Recognition Update!
This week, the Historical Society began the process of prepping our building for installation of a new donor plaque. We thank all who have contributed so far, helping to make this dream a reality!
All donations to the Depot museum project are still being gratefully received, but the deadline for donor recognition is Tuesday, December 31st. A donation of just $2000 gives you public recognition for your contributions to this project, or allows you to honor a loved one. The following levels will be presented on our plaque:
Ambassador $100,000 and above
Sustainer $25,000 - $99,999
Partner $10,000 - $24,999
Supporter $5,000 - $9,999
Friend $2,000 - $4,999
Click the donation link below to be a part of this historic new venture!
9/3/24 - Campaign Update!
Due to tremendous support from many generous donors, we met our fundraising goal of $830,000 faster than we ever thought possible! Truly, we are humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support. Thank you!
When we embarked on this project we hoped to “someday” also upgrade the exterior of the Depot to match the exciting transformation within. Given our fundraising momentum, we are thrilled to announce new plans for exterior furniture, lighting, and interpretive panels, plus the establishment of a Depot fund for ongoing staffing and periodic museum expenses. Our updated fundraising goal is $1,100,000 so that we can complete interior and exterior improvements by April 2025.
The Depot’s new exterior furniture and lighting will reference the building’s history as a train station, and the interpretive panels will focus on the histories of the railroad and bikeway. We look forward to enhancing this busy public space in our beautiful downtown for everyone! Will you join us in this once-in-a-generation transformation? Give today!
6/3/24 - A New Center for Lexington History
Lexington Historical Society purchased the Depot, a former train station, in 1999 with the intention of turning it into a museum for all of Lexington’s history throughout time.
That dream did not materialize - until now. Today we are transforming the Depot into the education and exhibition space we envisioned so many years ago. This project will revitalize the building, turning it into a center for interactive and relevant history education. It will serve not only Lexington but also the nation, and add significantly to the local economy and cultural vibrancy of the Town.
The transformed Depot will be a starting point for visitors, a program space for people of all ages, and a unique rental venue during off-hours. Exhibitions will display the richness of the area’s history, from First Peoples to today’s Lexingtonians, from art, architecture, and expression, to activists, innovators, and ordinary people whose stories, when woven together, create history.
As we near the American Revolution’s 250th anniversary, the eyes of the nation are upon us. Help us build The New Center for Lexington History! All gifts are gratefully received, and will be recognized in our donor list published annually. We are pleased to recognize those who give at least $2,000 by December 31, 2024, on the donor wall in The Center for Lexington History. Donors may choose to be personally recognized or honor a loved one or associate.
Ambassador $100,000 and above
Sustainer $25,000 - $99,999
Partner $10,000 - $24,999
Supporter $5,000 - $9,999
Friend $2,000 - $4,999
