“Arlington has such a rich cultural life... we’re proud to be part of the movement, the revolution of the Arts in Arlington!”

— April Ranck

Why Arlington?

When founders April and Alberto moved to Arlington in 2004, they quickly discovered a community made of members from all around the world tightly knit into a little corner of Massachusetts. The more they learned about the town, the more important it seemed to bring this Festival to life, to continue the long history of cultural engagement and community involvement. AIFF was, indeed, instrumental in Arlington receiving the Cultural District designation.

The Arlington Cultural District Managing Partnership has compiled a wonderful audio tour of the Arlington Cultural District. We invite you to take the self-guided tour and learn more about our lively town!

SELF-GUIDED AUDIO TOUR

An expansive new self-guided digital audio tour for mobile devices provides visitors and locals with a personalized deep-dive into a wealth of historic, artistic and architectural assets throughout the Arlington Cultural District. Explore Arlington’s arts, culture and history your way!

Narrated by noted local historian Ed Gordon, the tour comprises accounts of key historical events, influential residents, town lore, and architectural and cultural features concentrated in an area along Arlington’s Massachusetts Avenue “cultural corridor,” Spy Pond Park and the Minuteman Bikeway with details about Revolutionary War battle sites, Uncle Sam’s birthplace, golden age architectural samples, such classic town figures as sculptor Cyrus Dallin and composer Alan Hovhaness, and vibrant contemporary public art, dining, commerce and performance sites.

Along the way, visitors will also discover stores and nightlife establishments, theaters and parks, community centers and recreational areas they’ll want to return to and explore.

The tour is a project of the Arlington Cultural District Managing Partnership, a part of the Arlington Commission for Arts & Culture, developed with the Loop Lab with support from the Mass Cultural Council.

Episode 1
Jason Russell - Historic Arlington

Jason Russell House

Episode 2
Academy Street Arts District

Arlington Center for the Arts

Arlington Friends of the Drama

Arlington Masonic Temple

Episode 3
Everything Robbins

Winfield Robbins Memorial Garden

Robbins Memorial Town Hall

Episode 4
Whittemore-Robbins

Robbins Library

Whittemore Robbins House