The Hopkinton Historical Society will offer a new type of program this fall: a class all about the history of Hopkinton.

The six-part course begins Sept. 23 and will run weekly through the end of October. It will be taught by Historical Society member Chuck Joseph, with assistance from vice president Aubrey Doyle and president Anne Mattina.

Joseph, who has presented lectures about different aspects of Hopkinton’s history before, noted this program is a departure from what the Historical Society typically offers. “People have been asking for this for a long time,” he said.

The idea for the class was born after Joseph heard from attendees of his talks asking for additional lectures. Up until now, he explained, he has not had the time to devote to a longer series.

Mattina added that the Historical Society has been working to make the course a reality since late last year. “We’ve been talking about it since last winter when we were putting together a program Chuck did in June,” she said.

Much of that discussion blossomed from recent work the Historical Society has undertaken to digitize Town Meeting records. Mattina explained the work has helped the society members “expand our knowledge … of what was going on in town during that time.” 

This six-week class is one way the Historical Society hopes to share that expansion of knowledge with Hopkinton residents. “We’re looking for ways to share Hopkinton’s history with a larger group of people in a way that’s interactive,” Mattina said.

According to Mattina, the class will span from the 1700s to just after the Civil War.

“We’re going to try to see how far six sessions will take us,” Joseph added.

Along the way, attendees will have the opportunity to review primary sources and archival material that illuminate the topics being discussed. Areas of discussion will include indigenous history, Hopkinton’s role in the American Revolution, the Industrial Revolution and more.

Mattina said the Historical Society has documents that give first-person accounts of the early 19th century that they plan to incorporate into the course. “There’s real good insight into the time immediately after the Revolution,” she said.

Joseph noted that the class is not heavily academic and will not feature required reading. “It’s really much more showing up and learning about your town, and really enhancing your experience while you live here,” he said.

Each session will consist of a lecture and a discussion component. Attendees will be divided up into groups to discuss a given topic, moderated by either Joseph, Doyle or Mattina.

“What we’re hoping is about 45 minutes of [the 90-minute class] or so would be a mini-lecture,” said Mattina. “We want people to talk as well — ask questions and contribute.”

Because of the course’s format and the fact it will be held in the Historical Society building on Hayden Rowe Street, registration for the class is limited to 30 people. It will be free for members of the society and $40 for non-members. That registration includes a family membership for the remainder of the Historical Society’s 2025-26 membership year.

Joseph hopes to get a cross-section of Hopkinton residents to attend the class. He stressed that the class is just as much for those who have lived in town their whole lives as those who are newer residents. 

“I’m really excited to think that a broader range of people living in Hopkinton will really understand the arc of the history of this town,” he said.

While the class is open to all, Joseph made a special encouragement to those who serve on town boards to sign up and get a better idea of the town’s history.

“You can operate in a vacuum or you can operate with context,” said Joseph.

Added Joseph: “Once you do that, you never quite look at town the same. You kind of place yourself in that historical sequence.”

The six-week class runs 6:30-8 p.m. every Tuesday beginning Sept. 23. Those interested in signing up can do so on the Hopkinton Historical Society website. Additional questions can be directed to the Historical Society at hissochopma@gmail.com.