Dearest reader, the following is for neither the prudish nor the pure.

Scandal was rampant on Saturday when a city councilor, a former School Committee chair and other local dignitaries, rather un-dignified, were seen socializing at a brothel.

There was talk of adultery and drugs. There were racy games. Liquor flowed like the Charles. And it was sponsored by Garden Remedies, a cannabis retail enterprise.

The salacious scene was all part of Historic Newton’s “Naughty Newton at Night” and also in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States.

It may shock you to learn that brothels—often called molly houses—were often run by married couples who retained a level of respectability while offering a safe space for prostitutes, gay couples and orgy enthusiasts to go full bacchanal.

“You’d have as many as five people in one room,” historic reenactor Renee Walker-Tuttle said, met with some gasps and a chuckle or two.

The buffet table downstairs and the brothel room upstairs were the two most-populated rooms throughout the entire evening. Make of that what you will.

Sometimes the brothels were called coffee houses. Sometimes they seemed like ordinary boarding houses.

“By the 18th century, brothels, molly houses, coffee houses, were all very active and alive,” she said. “And one brothel in the 19th century was right next to the Paul Revere House.”

Casually strewn in a glass case in a nearby hallway was a condom. Yes, you read that correctly. An 18th century condom was proudly displayed for all to marvel at, red ribbon and all. And condoms were often made with linen at the time, so they weren’t very effective.

And the rise of brothels played a role in the spread of disease. Sexually transmitted infections like syphilis were commonplace among sex workers and their clientele.

Syphilis was often treated with mercury, which we now know is toxic and lethal. Some took it orally, while people with more money had mercury-infused saunas.

Gonorrhea had an even more unpleasant means of administration: via syringe of mercury into the urethra.

Speaking of drugs, in the next room there was a reenactor teaching guests about which herbs were used for purposes not in line with the moral norms of the time.

Some herbs, like Pennyroyal, for example, were used to induce abortion. And that herb at Sparks’s table was accompanied by lyrics to the Nirvana song, “Pennyroyal Tea,” in which Kurt Cobain sings: “Sit and drink Pennyroyal tea, be still the life that’s inside of me.”

Downstairs, there was a room with only a wooden box and a sign indicating that it belonged to Allen Durant, who fought in the Revolutionary War. He went abroad to Europe at age 21 and returned with the contents of the box.

It was pornography. Lots of pornography.

In those days, pornography often featured caricatures of women mostly clothed (but with large breasts) doing ordinary “women’s” work like cleaning and serving food.

Historic Newton’s tawdry gathering turned the Durant-Kenrick home into a den of ill-repute, complete with a raffle, a costume contest and a beer pong table.

Who knew Georgian-era Newton was so spicy?

Peruse these photographs from Saturday’s sinful soiree with the warning that they are immodest, indecent and in vulgar taste.

PHOTOS

A reenactor shows guests various liquors enjoyed by Americans in the 18th century. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

An upstairs bedroom was set up as a brothel scene for “Naughty Newton at Night” at the Durant-Kenrick House on April 11, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

The beauty supplies of an 18th century sex worker were on display for “Naughty Newton at Night” at the Durant-Kenrick House on April 11, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Renee Walker-Tuttle, historical reenactor, seen here with City Councilor Alison Leary, talks about sex work in the 18th century at at “Naughty Newton at Night” at the Durant-Kenrick House on April 11, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

A reenactor, Lisa Nichols, tells guests about the various taboo uses of herbs in 18th century New England. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Michelle Sparks, left, and City Councilor Alison Leary, right, attend “Naughty Newton at Night” at the Durant-Kenrick House on April 11, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Historic Newton Director Lisa Dady hands out prizes at “Naughty Newton at Night” at the Durant-Kenrick House on April 11, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Former School Committee Chair and current Newton Beacon board member Anne Larner and her husband, Bob, attend “Naughty Newton at Night” at the Durant-Kenrick House on April 11, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

What’s inside the box that a young Allen Durant brought back from Europe with him? It was pornography. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Allen Durant brought these lewd illustrations (with spring flower emojis added to the really explicit parts) home with him from Europe when he was 21. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

An 18th century condom was on display, along with a letter of indictment against a colonial-era Newton sex worker, at “Naughty Newton at Night” at the Durant-Kenrick House on April 11, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle