For at least a couple of years now, the Owl has been wanting to visit the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation (CRMII) in Waltham. I mean: it’s RIGHT THERE. The Owl drives through Waltham on the way to doctor’s appointments and haircuts and tacos and other stuff just about every other day. There’s really no excuse. So here’s one more reason to go this week:

From September 20-23 if you go to the Museum and show proof of Weston residence, you get in free! Yes, as the very last town alphabetically on the Summer Community free days, Weston follows up Wellesley’s free week last week and enjoys a last blast of summer by getting in to see a whole bunch of interesting stuff. I am heading first to the W.H. Nichols exhibit–there is nothing I like better than a good family story especially one about a family who loved boats and rowing. And of course, given Waltham’s timeless story of the Waltham Watch Company, that exhibit is where I will spend the majority of my time. Did I mention time enough? Watch me.

Now the Owl will probably skip visiting the Museum on September 20 as the Wildcats Boys Soccer team meets the Waltham Hawks on Waltham’s (brand-new) home turf and that is a fan experience that should not be attended by the faint of heart. Better head to the Girls Soccer game at home at Proctor on the same day against the Waltham Hawks. Go ‘cats.

September 26 is also the last day to get reduced-price admission to the CRMII Craft Beer for a Cause on October 26. That is one heck of a party (so I hear) for craft beer lovers. If I didn’t have to go to the senior night for one of my favorite kids on the planet whose last home soccer game is in Revere on October 26, I would be there. Alas, corujinhas (Owlets in Portuguese) are more important than beer and a lot of other things really.

Back to the Museum. There is a lot to learn about manufacturing and local history at the CRMII. This week I am going. I shall report back. Or meet you there?

The mission of the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation is to educate people about America’s industrial history and to encourage and inspire future innovation. The museum does this by “creating engaging experiences that highlight the many fascinating technical and business innovations that have taken place in this region and continue to change the world.”

Located in the Francis Cabot Lowell Mill, an icon of the American Industrial Revolution, the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation brings together intriguing artifacts, cultural insights, and inspiring stories to delight people of all ages, enabling them to see the past and envision the future. https://www.charlesrivermuseum.org/. 154 Moody Street in Waltham. Hours: Weds-Fri 10 am-3 pm, Sat 10 am-2:30 pm. Please note there is no parking available at the museum: street parking or public lot parking only.