Prior 2005/2006 Season Events

Lecture Series

Arlington in 1931: Picturing Local Life 75 years Ago

Richard A. Duffy, Author and Historian

Tuesday, May 30, 2006, 8 p.m.

Travel back three-quarters of a century to see fascinating images and hear surprising tales of Arlington bravely contending with the Great Depression while still finding ways to prosper in the enjoyment of community life. It was a year like no other and a year like any other.

Special location: This lecture will be held at the Pleasant Street Congregational Church. The church is located at 75 Pleasant Street in Arlington. Please use the Maple Street entrance.

Paul Revere's Midnight Ride: Dispelling the Myths

Patrick M. Leehey, Research Director, Paul Revere House

Tuesday, April 25, 2006, 8 p.m.

On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere waited "booted and spurred" on the Charlestown shore. Looking up, he saw two lanterns shining in the Old North Church tower. Leaping on his horse, he then rode through the countryside shouting, "The British are coming! The British are coming!" In fact, this scene never happened. In this slide lecture we will learn about these and other myths about Paul Revere, and about the life and times of one of the most famous (and least understood) figures in American history. More information.

The Artist's Wife

Doreen F. Stevens, Museum Administrator, Arlington Historical Society

Tuesday, March 28, 2006, 8 p.m.

Vittoria and Cyrus Dallin were Arlington's "golden couple" in the first half of the 20th century. While Cyrus crafted his massive sculptures, Vittoria Dallin published books and poems, raised three sons and played an active role in the town's civic life. Her most notable accomplishment was the Arlington Pageant of 1913, commemorating the dedication of the new town hall.

The Knox Trail: General Henry Knox

Paul R. Hogman, Historian and Educator

Tuesday, February 28, 2006, 8 p.m.

George Washington took command of the Continental Army in Cambridge, MA in July, 1775. One of his main concerns was to contain the British Troops in Boston. Henry Knox, a young book dealer with no formal military training, but knowledgeable in artillery, proposed a plan to Gen. Washington. The plan involved bringing cannon and other heavy equipment 300 miles from Fort Ticonderoga, New York, to Boston, Massachusetts in the dead of a severe winter to fortify Dorchester Heights. This illustrated tale honors a true heroic soldier and patriot. More information.

Our National Heritage: Interpreting America's History Through Its Material Culture by Deciding What Matters

A Slide lecture by John Ott, Executive Director, National Heritage Museum, Lexington, MA

Tuesday, January 31, 2006, 8 p.m.

What constitutes a national American icon? How do we choose topics that reflect our collective culture, heritage or history when so many Americans come from different social, ethnic and religious backgrounds?

This slide lecture will reflect upon the everyday objects, personal histories and cultural clutter of American lives. What objects that a person collects, preserves, and holds dear are important to us as a people? Discover the answers to these questions and more as we ponder the past through the collections of the National Heritage Museum in Lexington.

Mrs. Larcom: Lowell Mills Boardinghouse Keeper

Kate Carney, Award-winning Storyteller

Tuesday, November 29, 2005, 8 p.m.

We are invited into Mrs. Lois Larcom's Lawrence Corporation house to hear stories in an historical role-playing experience set in Lowell, MA, 1843. We will hear how factory girls have made Lowell famous, making good money for females, attending classes and publishing a literary journal. But everything is changing in Lowell, including 13 hour workdays in dangerous, unhealthy conditions with dwindling pay. The newly independent factory girls are speaking up. We exchange questions and answers with this hospitable housemother who asks, "What is happening to the promise of Lowell?" More information.

Vision Aids in History

David A. Fleishman, M.D.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005, 8 p.m.

Almost 720 years ago the first simple pair of eyeglasses was invented. This PowerPoint presentation is all about these small fragments of history. Vision Aids have been used by billions of people, have been taken for granted by most, and yet have made a major impact on the human experience. Famous people and significant events will be discussed as Dr. Fleishman takes us along the historical journey of spectacle development.

All lectures are held at the Smith Museum, adjacent to the Jason Russell House. Admission is free and seating is unreserved. The lectures take place at 8:00 p.m. with doors open at 7:30. Wheelchair access at Jason Terrace entrance. Directions.

Other Events

Arlington in the Gaslight Era

Richard A. duffy

Smith Museum, Arlington Historical Society
7 Jason Street, Arlington

Sunday, November 20, 2005. 2:00 pm. Free.

For close to 80 years, the Arlington Gas Light Co. locally manufactured the gas that was piped into the town's homes and businesses. Already a mature company when Arlington's residential hoom began in the early 20th century, the utility embarked on the colorful promotion of an array of forgotten gas lighting fixtures and appliances that will delight nostalgia buffs. Corporate history is but the backdrop for this entertaining illustrated lecture of everyday life in Arlington. More information.

Arlington's Native Peoples

With Jim Porter, Producer of The Menotomy Journal

Smith Museum, Arlington Historical Society
7 Jason Street, Arlington

October 22, 2005. 1-3pm. Free.

The Arlington Historical Society announces a special program, Arlington's Native Peoples, for third-fifth graders, October 22, from 1-3pm. Jim Porter, producer of Menotomy Journal, airing on Comcast Channel 8 in Arlington, will be the student's tour guide to bring them into the ancient past of Arlington's oldest inhabitants.

More information.

Town Day
September 24, 2005

Town Day Doughnuts

Don't miss out. Preorder your Krispy Kreme doughnuts now! All profits benefit the Historical Society. For $6.00, you get a dozen doughnuts and a beverage.

All doughnuts are Krispy Kreme regular glazed. Leave a message at (781) 648-4300 or send an email to donuts@carr-jones.com.

Single doughnuts will also be available on Town Day, $1 for a doughnut and beverage. Sales will start at 10:00 AM, on the Jason Russell House lawn.

A special exhibit about the Museum's Penny Farthing Bicycle

Tour of the Old Burying Ground

Meet on the main steps of the Robbins Library at 1:00 PM.

On Town Day, the Arlington Historical Society will offer 30 minute tours of the Old Burying Ground (OBG) at 1PM including a brief history of the OBG and the differences between a burying ground and a cemetery. The tour will focus on the 18th century and early 19th century gravestones and their engraved symbols. Stops along the tour will include the gravestones of Jason Russell and our other heroes of April 19th, his wife, Elizabeth, Jean De Neufville who was a banker and friend of the Adamses, and John (Don Juan) Stoughton who was the Spanish Consul at that time. Gravestones indicating epidemics that swept the town and a stonecutter's attempt to correct an error will be part of the tour.

Menotomy Minutemen

On Town Day, the Minutemen will be on the lawn of the Jason Russell house with displays and demonstrations of 18th century activities - making musket balls and music, included.