News & Events
* UPCOMING *
Maple sugaring: Agricultural Hall and the Boston Nature Center will co-host our annual Maple Sugaring Demonstration at the Nature Center (500 Walk Hill St., Mattapan) on Sat., Feb. 17 & again on March 2.
Sugaring (tapping trees, collecting and boiling-down sap) begins in early February in eastern Massachusetts, but 'global weirding' has been pushing the start date earlier, faster. To that end, try to bike, walk, use public trans, or carpool to get to the Nature Center.
As for beekeeping, early Spring is all about ramping-up for the season ahead. If you're jus starting out, now is a perfect time to enroll in a bee school, and the Boston Area Beekeeping Association's 6-week+ bee school starts February 5th! Visit BABA's website to register; BostonBeekeepers.org
For upcoming Ag Hall workshops & happenings, check the Workshops calendar here.
Agricultural Hall?
In 1818, the Massachusetts Society for the Promotion of Agriculture built the original Agricultural Hall on Dighton Street in Brighton. It served as the hub of the Brighton Fair and Cattle Show, one of the earliest and largest such fairs in the country. In 1829, "a 17-pound turnip, a 19-pound radish, and a bough on which pears hung like a cluster of grapes were among the outstanding exhibits of that year." In 1844 the building was moved to its present location at the corner of Chestnut Hill Avenue and Washington Street.
Dr. William P. Marchione &
The Bostonian Society
Agricultural Hall
245 Amory Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617-388-7378 / e-mail Ag Hall
Open daily by appt. Calling ahead is always a good idea.
New Block
Agricultural Hall carries a variety of essential beekeeping tools and supplies, selected for their quality, durability, price, and whether it was made locally and/or sustainably. If there is an item you would like to see on the (partial) list below, please let me know and I will search high and low to find it for you -- for less.
As usual, there is much more at the store than what meets the eye here (for example, we now carry three different styles of smokers, six different hive tools, and three types of hives -- Langstroth (8 & 10-frame), Warre, and top bar).
$25.35
VEILS: Of the dozens of styles available, we have about six, but the two best, most practical models include:
Alexander veil: A great all-around veil that does not require a hat (some suggest using with a baseball cap). Compact to carry around or use in a pinch when visitors arrive.
Jacket & veil combo: It's so nice to zip up this comfortable jacket, load it's pockets with your tools, and get right to work. This is not an extravagance; it's the best, and for a great price, too! Three sizes available.
$28.86
$46.35
GLOVES: Take your pick. They're all comfortable, secure and affordable, and sizes range from small child to large adult:
Canvas: I've had mine for 25 years -- 'nuf said.
Leather: At this price, why not; comfort is important. Child sizes available -- call for pricing.
$17.90
$19.70
HIVE TOOLS:
Agricultural Hall has the best selection of hive tools in New England. Here are just two of the six varieties (and growing) we carry:
Maxant hive tool: These make hive work incredably easy. And they're made here in Massachusetts! You'll never need another tool.
Standard 10" hive tool: Basically, an old-fashioned pry-bar, but they're effective for hive work, and they're very affordable.
$12.10
$5.25
MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES:
Nine-frame spacer: Evenly space 9 frames in a 10-frame hive, giving you and your girls more room to work. Yes, there's one fewer frame, but bees make a deeper comb which contains more honey and is easier to uncap. From Maxant
Mouse guard: I've lost hives to mice three times, and the massacres weren't pretty. Spend a little and save a lot. Use from mid-fall to early spring. Easy on/off. Several styles available, but it's easy to make your own with hardware cloth.
Frame grip: Like large plyers, use these grips to remove and hold frames with confidence. Some people love them. Personally, I like using my hands for direct contact.
Mason bee homes & supplies: Of any animal, mason bees are the greatest pollinators. They are solitary and, as such, lay their eggs in small deep holes. Simple homemade or purchased hives hung in your garden or yard will attract mason bees year after year. See more about mason bees here.
Beekeeping posters: From Maxant, these posters are both beautiful and educational.
$19.00
$6.45
$4.50
From ~$7.00
HONEY JARS:
Glass honey jars with lids, including the classic Queenline jars. Five designs, assorted lids and corks, and many sizes to choose from. Labels not included. See a full pricelist here.
HONEY EXTRACTOR: And now we've come to the 'heavy equipment.' Our Maxant/ Massachusetts-made hand-crank 3/6/9-frame extractors are the best in the world! Your great, great grandchildren will be using your extractor 150 years from now. Agricultural Hall has an extractor for rent, and we will sell you a new extractor for the best price possible.
Our ELECTRIC UNCAPPER is also available for rent. Work faster and cleaner.
Rent Ag Hall's extractor at $25 for a minimum of 48 hours. All necessary tools and buckets included.