Bourne Historical Society

It’s Membership Renewal Time!

It’s that time of year again! As we embark on another year of preserving our local history and fostering community connections, we kindly ask you to renew your Bourne Historical Society membership. Your support is instrumental in sustaining our efforts to organize engaging events, maintain historical archives, and share the stories that shape our community. Renewing your membership is quick and easy—simply fill out the membership form below or contact the BHS office assistance. As a token of our appreciation, we’re offering a special raffle for members who renew and make an additional donation, with a chance to win a luxurious 3-night stay at a 5-star vacation rental in Onset. Thank you for being a part of the Bourne Historical Society family—we look forward to another year of shared exploration and discovery with you!

Keene House Rescue Project

Thank you to everyone who attended Town Meeting on May 1st and voted YES to save the 300 year old Keene House! This is the first of many steps to save this historic house from demolition. This house is the LAST of the houses built by the four Perry sons, who originally settled the town. It was scheduled to be demolished in May 2023, but with the help and support of the Town of Bourne, the Bourne Historical Commission, the Community Preservation Committee and many of YOU, the Bourne Historical Society now has the funds and support to save the house. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this ongoing effort to save the Keene House!. You have sent a clear signal that demolition is NOT always the answer and we don’t want our history lost forever.

The Perry-Ellis-Keene house has survived for over 300 years.  It is the only existing house built by the Perry brothers, original settlers, in the 1690’s.  It was also the home of our noted town historian, Betsy D. Keene. It is a symbol of Bourne’s beginnings and one of the oldest remaining pieces of our history.  On May 1, 2023 the people of the Town of Bourne voted to save this house by providing Community Preservation Act funding to the Bourne Historical Society in order to move it.

To follow along with the Keene House Rescue Project, check out our webpage here: Keene House Rescue Project.