ENVISIONING A PLACE TO ENGAGE ON ISSUES OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
at the Historic Stone Building in Lexington, MA
USING THE PAST TO LEARN ABOUT THE PRESENT
Through its founders, the Robbins family, and its use, the Stone Building is connected to a number of important 19th-century social issues, including abolitionism, slavery, women's suffrage, care of the poor, temperance and education.
Originally constructed as a lyceum, a type of lecture hall intended for adult education and discourse, the Stone Building is of architectural significance as it is one of the few remaining, intact structures associated with the American Lyceum Movement. The building has also served as a school, house of worship, residence and library and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
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The building's unique history makes it an ideal place to learn about and engage on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, both past and present.
With your support, we can bring this vision of a modern-day lyceum and learning center to life.
IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK
During its years as a Lyceum, the building hosted a number of prominent 19th-century speakers, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Charles Follen, Bronson Alcott, Theodore Parker, Lucy Stone, Charles Sumner, Josiah Quincy, and, very likely, Henry David Thoreau.
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Want to learn more about these speakers and their ties to the building?
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