Commander's Mansion

07/25/2024

We are excited to announce two dates in August for free guided tours! Our summer intern, Evelyn, is preparing tour details and will be guiding attendees throughout the entire property, including all indoor and outdoor spaces.

Two separate tours will be offered on Friday, August 9 and Friday, August 16 beginning at 10am and noon each day. Prior registration is required using the link below. Hope to see you next month!

Registration link: mansiontours.planningpod.com

07/23/2024

The grounds are in full bloom!

07/17/2024

Welcome to our summer intern, Evelyn! We will be sharing an exciting update in the coming weeks about public guided tours that Evelyn will be offering next month. Stay tuned!

The following press release was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation Watertown – Since 2015 the Watertown Community Foundation has made it possible for high school students in Watertown to gain valuable professional experience by funding summer internships. Nearly 70 high-schoolers have ...

07/04/2024

Our office is closed today in observance of Independence Day. 🇺🇸

Watertown has such a rich history and played a vital role in the American Revolution - as the site of the first tax protest against Britain and where the Massachusetts Provincial Congress held their meetings from April to June of 1775.

Our Mansion later housed the Commanding Officers of the Watertown Arsenal and their families from 1865 until 1995. The Watertown Arsenal was instrumental in producing military weapons and equipment from 1816 through WWII before being converted to the United States Army Materials and Mechanics Research Center in 1968. The facility was renamed the United States Army Materials Technology Laboratory in 1985 and oversaw significant contributions to science and technology as the first major engineering testing laboratory in the United States.

Pictured: Watertown Arsenal by William Guild, 1847.

06/24/2024

Congratulations to Kyra and Kevin! Their wedding reception included a variety of heartfelt and personalized elements, including stunning handblown glass vases by the bride! We wish you the most beautiful life together. ❤️

Another exquisite evening catered by ✨

06/19/2024

Our office is closed today, Wednesday, June 19, 2024 in observance of Juneteenth.

06/17/2024

Congratulations to Emily and Shane! This couple didn’t let the weekend’s wild weather and need for a ceremony rain plan dampen their spirits. Their 80+ guests fit perfectly in our parlor and it was an exceptionally magical evening! ✨

Catering by La Bonne Maison

06/11/2024

Congratulations to Elexa and Corey on their beautiful wedding this past weekend! We are so glad the weather cooperated and it was a joyous day! Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness together. ❤️

06/04/2024

Congratulations and best wishes to Thalia and Zak! We loved being a part of your beautiful wedding day. ✨

sparks

06/02/2024

A picture-perfect start to June! ☀️

05/23/2024

We hope you can join us!

Tickets are available to purchase for guests ages 21+ for "A Tipsy Tea Party" on June 23, 2024 from 11:30am-2:30pm at the Commander’s Mansion, located at 440 Talcott Avenue! Visit www.WatertownPride.com for more event information and the link to order tickets.

[Image description: Event details from the post and a graphic with colorful desserts and teacups.]

05/22/2024

A beautiful breakfast spread by Catering By Andrew for a corporate event this week!

05/21/2024

All posts for events that our team runs for the City of Watertown will be on our new page: Watertown Events Team. Please be sure to follow for news and updates on our community events moving forward.

A very busy wedding season is fast approaching so stay right here for content on weddings, corporate and social events!

05/18/2024

Watertown Porchfest is TODAY! Stop by our veranda (440 Talcott Avenue) beginning at 1pm to see Monster Groove Band and the Killer Horns! 🎶

See the full map and schedule of performers:
https://watertownporchfest.org/map/

05/15/2024

We hope you can join us for the Poppy Social on Friday, May 24 between 9:30am-12:30pm. Light refreshments will be provided by Watertown Veterans' Services and free giveaways include crocheted poppies, pins, and trinket dishes while supplies last! All of these items are handmade by our Event Coordinator’s mom and Watertown resident, Debi Holt. ❤️

The event will also include the unveiling of new memorial bricks in our Freedom Garden and a guided tour of our historic residence. Hope to see you next Friday!

05/11/2024

Head down to DPW for Touch-a-Truck TODAY from 10am-2pm! Free raffle, giveaways and activities with lunch available to purchase on site from Joe's Variety Deli!

05/10/2024

See if you can spot the new Watertown Pride banners around the city this weekend! We also hope to see you at DPW for the Touch-a-Truck event on Saturday, May 11 from 10am-2pm. 🚒 Lunch will be available for purchase at a pop-up stand from Joe's Variety Deli!

Pictured is the Commander’s Mansion/City of Watertown’s Events Team with DPW’s Harrison Ford, who has been helping with plans for both Pride events and Touch-a-Truck. Thank you, Harrison!

05/08/2024

We were so fortunate to welcome 20 volunteers from our neighbors at Kymera Therapeutics through Watertown Helps Out (Watertown Community Foundation) this morning! They braved the rain for planting, primed materials for an upcoming community-wide art project, and helped with some heavy lifting and reorganization of our inventory. Everyone was so helpful and efficient! Thank you for giving back and making a difference in our community - we appreciate all of you!

05/03/2024

Spring has officially sprung at the Mansion! Flowers are starting to bloom and our tent is up now through the end of October, thanks to Taylor Rental of Haverhill Ma!

05/02/2024

We are excited to already be working on the 25th anniversary of Watertown’s Faire on the Square! Vendor registration is now OPEN!

Vendor registration is now open for the 25th anniversary of the Faire on the Square!

The event will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 12-5pm at Saltonstall Park. Visit faireonthesquare.planningpod.com to register as a business, non-profit or food court vendor. Registration will remain open until Friday, August 30, 2024 at 5pm.

[Image description: graphics and the date for the event, registration link with QR code, and a message that vendor registration is now open.]

05/01/2024

It’s the first day of May and our first event of a busy month at the Mansion! Always a pleasure to work with Hostess Catering! They prepared a lovely buffet for a repeat client’s corporate dinner and awards ceremony this evening.

www.hostesscatering.com

04/25/2024

Join us for a 𝑾𝒆𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑽𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝑶𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 from 5-7pm. If you are searching for a wedding venue, we invite you to reserve your spot today at june5.planningpod.com!

We will be partnering with a local caterer to provide small bites for the event. A group tour will take place at 6pm and venue rental information will be provided. Guests will also have the opportunity to schedule an individual visit for a future date.

04/24/2024

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to Tracey, the master of multitasking and problem-solving at the mansion! We appreciate everything you do for our team and hope you have a day as wonderful as you are! 💐

04/22/2024

Wedding season is right around the corner! We’ve been busy with walk-through appointments and meeting with couples and caterers. Looking forward to working with , La Bonne Maison, Baker's Best Catering and more in the coming months!

Visit www.commandersmansion.com for more venue rental information for your next social or corporate event. 🗓️

04/19/2024

The Freedom Garden was unveiled in 2022 on the Commander’s Mansion grounds to honor local Veterans. Eight new engraved bricks will be added for this year’s Poppy Social! We hope you can join us on Friday, May 24, 2024 from 9:30am-12:30pm to kick off your Memorial Day weekend with an Open House, light refreshments, and a guided tour at 11am.

04/18/2024

Thank you to The Throne Depot for donating a handicap accessible portable stall for the Touch-a-Truck event! We are also excited to be partnering with Joe's Variety Deli and looking forward to their breakfast and lunch items that will be available for purchase! A full menu will be announced soon. 🚒🚓🚜

04/15/2024

Happy Patriots’ Day! Our office is closed in observance of the holiday. Best of luck to all the Boston marathoners and we hope everyone enjoys this beautiful spring day!

04/13/2024

Tickets are available to purchase for 𝑨 𝑻𝒊𝒑𝒔𝒚 𝑻𝒆𝒂 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒚 at the Commander’s Mansion! Visit the link below to learn more event details.

Our guest capacity is 200 and we promise you won’t want to miss it!

www.watertownpride.com/a-tipsy-tea-party

04/12/2024

This is the portrait of General Rodman that is displayed in our first floor foyer. He is known for creating the Rodman gun that was used in coastal defenses and for developing the Rodman Casting Process, which improved the metal structure and greatly increased the life of the cannon.

Shortly after the Civil War, Rodman’s actions while in command of the Watertown Arsenal drew the attention of the powerful Congressional Committee, who investigated allegations of Rodman's possible disloyalty, improper management of the facility, and misuse of government resources, among other items. Among the many charges levied against Rodman was the accusation that the construction of his quarters (the Commander's Mansion) was considered excessively extravagant for a commanding officer. Opponents of the residence estimated that the costs would be as high as $100,000 to $150,000. The actual cost was much less, roughly $63,000, which provided fine craftsmanship and materials to make one of the most handsome structures in the area. This would be equivalent to millions today.

The investigation itself developed its own controversy. Believing the Committee was hearing only one-sided testimony, civilians of Watertown wrote affidavits praising Rodman's performance, asking he remain commander of the arsenal, and demanding he receive a fair trial. Once completed, the results of the charges were never revealed, and in July 1865 Rodman was sent to Rock Island, Illinois, to supervise the construction of a new arsenal. This facility would become the Rock Island Arsenal, where Rodman spent the rest of his life and career… and built an even larger commander's residence!