Prior to its official establishment in 1799, Burlington was a very small agricultural community. Inhabited by Native American tribes in the mid-1600s and a mere extension of Woburn in the early 1700s, the town has done a lot to preserve its history.
In its early stages, Burlington grew from an agricultural community to one of the most technologically advanced towns in the area between the 1970s and 80s. Today, in addition to the booming businesses of life sciences and pharmaceutical industries, Burlington is highly visited for its historical archives and artistic culture.
A Walk Through Sculpture Park
Burlington Sculpture Park was an idea that stemmed from the mediocrity displayed by Burlington Center. Locals and town officials claimed that though the town common is pleasant, it isn’t memorable. It was thought that instead of the town itself, the Burlington Mall was the biggest attraction for tourists and visitors. After partnering with the New England Sculptors Association, Burlington officials were able to move the project to fruition.
At its opening in 2019, there were two sculptures presented that kickstarted the sculpture park; two styrofoam dragons named Boris and Natasha. Since then, the commons have started to fill up with more sculptures, color, and visible creativity. The town is set to evaluate the success of the park within the next 2 years and decide whether to expand further. The hope is that one day Burlington is known for its sculptures.
Visitors are able to walk among all the creations, touch them, take pictures, and are sometimes even lucky enough to run into the designers and creators of the sculptures!
Watch a Burlington Players Performance
The Burlington Players are an adult group of volunteers with passions for the arts; particularly theater and music. It is a self-run organization where the members choose a play to produce, and for a few months rehearse before putting on a show. The productions are open for the public to watch, so make sure to check out their schedule during your trip! Prior to rehearsals for every show, anyone is encouraged to audition and partake in the next performance as well.
In addition to entertaining the community, the Burlington Players also partake in various community events and give back to the town and the locals. They have created scholarships for Burlington High School students, attended special community events, and have become a prominent group in the community.
Learn About Burlington’s History
Burlington’s Historical Society is comprised of a group of volunteers dedicated to preserving the past for future generations. Built in 1794 and restored in 1964, the Old West School has become the “headquarters” for this operation. The building used to be a one-room schoolhouse set to be destroyed in ‘64 but the concerned group of locals created the Historical Society to keep that from happening.
Now, the schoolhouse stands in all its glory filled with various artifacts and historical treasures. During your visit, you’ll be able to observe some of those treasures including old Native American relics, arrowheads, and spears. The Old West School remains one of the first historical buildings to be restored in Burlington and it has been nicknamed the birthplace of Burlington’s historic preservation movement – a landmark you don’t want to miss on your trip.
