The Historical Society of Watertown's mission is to restore and preserve the Edmund Fowle House and maintain it as a living archive. Their goals are education, preservation and restoration in the community. The house is available to rent for private functions and gatherings.
Parents Helping Parents is an agency whose mission is to provide support to parents in need, and ultimately prevent child abuse and neglect. Services include providing access to a network of many support groups and a 24-hour support hotline. Services are free, confidential and anonymous.
The Hellenic Center is attached to the Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Orthodox Church on Bigelow Avenue. There are three halls in the building, including the Metaxas Hall, which is used for events such as weddings and holds as many as 400 guests. The center can be used for private events and can accommodate between 25 and 1,200 people.
The Watertown Housing Authority is the place to go to find affordable housing, low-income apartments and senior assisted living from an expert in the field.
This cultural center is home to several Armenian organizations and the St. Stephen's Armenian School. Throughout the year the center hosts Armenian cultural and educational events, as well as a weekly bingo game. During the summer, it runs a cafe. The gymnasium can be rented for basketball games or for large events such as weddings. The center also has a conference room.
The library and museum, which opened in 1971, has the largest collection of Armenian artifacts in the diaspora and is the largest ethnic museum in Massachusetts. The museum displays Armenian art and historical pieces in several galleries, and tours are available in English, Armenian and Russian. Rotating exhibits feature a range of topics from contemporary art to ancient artifacts, and the museum averages 14 exhibits annually. The library collections include books, periodicals and oral histories in English and Armenian. The library is open to researchers and the general public.
Located in a leafy area near the Charles River, the pool provides a place to cool off during the summer months. Dealtry Pool has a large swimming pool with lifeguards and younger children can splash around in the circular wading pool. The pool also provides changing rooms and showers.
New England Fuel Institute is an association of energy and fuel dealers. The association regularly meets to discuss relevant issue sin the industry. For more information on membership, visit its website.
Dating back to 1930, the church on Mt. Auburn St. holds services in English and Armenian. The church has a variety of programs for youth and adults including choirs, Bible study and Armenian lessons. Each fall the church hosts Bazaar, where Armenian food, jewelry and other items are sold.
The roots of this Unitarian Universalist church stretch back to 1630. The church in Watertown Square holds services on Sundays, including lay-led services during the summer. First Parish has a choir and religious education classes for adults and children. Members are involved in social justice causes locally and internationally.
Tucked behind busy, mall-heavy Arsenal Street, Arsenal Park is a multi-acre recreational expanse with something for everyone. There are two large fields for soccer, a game of ultimate frisbee or any other sport you can think of. There's six tennis courts, a basketball court, a skateboard area, a picnic pavillion with brick fireplace, three jungle gyms, a splashing fountain, paved walkways winding past ornamental and shade trees and picnic tables and benches.
The Boys & Girls Club provides after-school activities for school children in Watertown. The club is open to children ages 7 to 18. The club has a gym and a pool where swimming lessons are offered. The pool is also open for adult swimming on weekdays. The club also runs basketball and indoor soccer programs. There is also a computer lab for members to do homework. Other classes, including painting, are offered.
Watertown Evangelical Church is an independent, non-denominational congregation committed to the belief that the Bible is the word of God. Sunday services emphasize teachings from the Bible which are presented along with contemporary music. Watertown Evangelical Church also runs a men's Bible study, church work days and fellowship dinners.
Watertown Family Network offers parent-child home programs, to help parents be the best they can be for their up-to-4-year-old kids. The bright space is full of toys, books, and other amusements for the little ones, and services include arranging playdates and drop-in playtimes, teaching workshops on topics of use to parents, and just creating a supportive environment for new or stressed parents.
Located next to Town Hall in Watertown Square, Saltonstall Park has a green area as well as athletic facilities. The grassy area on Main St. has benches and paths, including one with trees that create a shady tunnel. A stage is set up for concerts during the summer. The park also includes a softball field, a field used for field hockey and soccer, and a basketball court. The softball field and basketball courts have lights available from Memorial Day to the end of Daylight Savings. A playground is also available.
The park looks deceptively small from the street, but the 14-acre park stretches between Arlington Street and Grove Street. Inside, there are two athletic fields used for soccer, softball and other sports, and it also has two basketball courts. Children can enjoy two playgrounds with play structures, as well as a sprinkler park. Two covered picnic areas have grills that can be reserved. The park is circled by tree-lined walking paths.
The history of Ancient Order of Hibernians dates back to 1836 in New York and Pennsylvania. Members must be men 16 years and older who are practicing Roman Catholics of Irish birth or descent and who are citizens of United States or who have declared their intentions to become U.S. citizens. The club strives to foster and preserve the art, dance music and sports from Ireland. There is an organization for women, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, which also meets at the hall.
Hibernian Hall is also available to rent as a banquet facility, accommodating up to 200 people.
St. Stephen's Church holds services in the church in East Watertown each Sunday. Sermons are in both English and Armenian. The church's Ladies Guild organizes a coffee hour after services on most Sundays. The church has a Sunday School for children and Saturday classes are given to teach children the Armenian language and culture. The church is associated with the St. Stephen's Elementary School.