Around Town

Find Out About Watertown During the Revolution on Historical Society’s Walking Tour

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A pre-19th century depiction of the Fowle House. (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

The following announcement was provided by the Historical Society of Watertown:

The Historical Society of Watertown invites you to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the fight forAmerican Independence by taking a walking tour of “Watertown During the Revolution.”

Dates: Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.(3 chances to take this walking tour)

Meeting Place: Zussman Memorial Park beside 66 Galen St. (The tour will be cancelled for rain.)

Join Historical Society of Watertown walking tour leaders Lynne O’Connell and Beth Houston for a 90-minute walking tour to learn about the important role that the town played during the American Revolution. After the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, the Provincial Congress assembled in the town’s Meeting House, making Watertown the seat of the Massachusetts government for 18 months. As a result, many prominent Revolutionary War figures boarded in town, including Paul Revere and Joseph Warren.

Entertainment

WEEKEND FUN: Persian New Year, Armenian & Irish Music, Historical Event, National Tamale Day

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Our bulbs are pushing their way up out of the warming gardens to tell us that spring is here. On Saturday morning, the spring celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, will be at the library for all to enjoy. There is music to go along with the springing of spring, a concert of an Armenian trio at the Mosesian Center for the Arts on Friday, and a folk music concert on Saturday night at the Canadian American Club. On Sunday, it will be time for some history focused learning, with a talk on Watertown’s patriot printer, Benjamin Edes, whose printing press apparently affected the course of the Revolutionary War. After the talk, if you’re feeling hungry, head to the Condesa Restaurant to dig into a plate of steaming tamales for National Tamale Day.

Around Town

Hear About the Watertown Printer Who Played an Important Role in the American Revolution

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The following announcement was provided by the Historical Society of Watertown:

The Historical Society of Watertown & the Watertown Free Public Library Presents: “The Press and the American Revolution and Watertown’s most famous printer, Benjamin Edes,” a slide show and talk by Gary Gregory. Without the printing presses of Boston, we wouldn’t have had a revolution! Why was Boston such a hot bed of sedition and incubator of the American Revolution? How did the printing press impact Boston’s rise to rebellion? How were newspapers produced and by whom?

Around Town

Historical Society of Watertown Gift Shop Open for Holiday Sale

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The Edmund Fowle House & Museum with our 2022 Yard Art exhibit on display. (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

The Historical Society of Watertown announced that its gift shop at the historic Edmund Fowle House will be open on Sunday for a holiday sale. See details below. The gift shop will be open Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 from 1:00 to 3:00. The Historical Society has many wonderful books and other items related to Watertown history available for sale to the public.

Around Town

Historic Paintings Return to Watertown’s City Hall After Undergoing Restoration

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The crew from Maquette Fine Arts Services raise the historic painting of Watertown looked in 1630 after it had been restored. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Two historic paintings returned to the lobby of City Hall looking better than they have for generations after undergoing a makeover to remove dirt and grime as well as repairing damages. The paintings show how Watertown looked in 1630, when the Town was founded, and 1930, two years before Town Hall opened. After nearly two years away, the paintings were reinstalled on Nov. 13 after a thorough cleaning and restoration project spearheaded by the Historic Society of Watertown, and paid for with Community Preservation Act funds.

Entertainment

Historical Society Presents Huzzah! Drinking With John Hancock

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The Historical Society of Watertown & The Watertown Free Public Library Present: “Huzzah! Drinking with John Hancock during the American Revolution” with Dr. Brooke Barbier

WHEN: Sunday, September 22, 2024, 2 p.m.WHERE: Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Room, 123 Main St Watertown MA 02472

Learn more about the important role of alcohol in the culture and politics of Colonial America in this free lecture with Brook Barbier, author of King Hancock:

The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father (2023). When John Hancock needed to win people over, he didn’t talk about resisting taxes or policy improvements; instead, he served alcohol. He offered rum punch and wine at his home and paid for lavish meals in taverns to bring people together. Guests included lower-class men, French officers, and Black women and men.

Around Town

Historical Society Program Explores Watertown’s Link to Declaration of Independence and Nation’s First Treaty

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Marilynne Roach of the Historical Society of Watertown made a presentation about the signing of the Treaty of Watertown and the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Edmund Fowle House. This year the ceremony will be at the Senior Center. (Courtesy of the Historical Society)

The following announcement was provided by the Historical Society of Watertown:

A program presented by the Historical Society at the Watertown Senior Center, honoring two important events: the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Watertown. A talk & slide-show presentation will tell the story of the role & significance that the Edmund Fowle House (28 Marshall St) played in Watertown’s first public reading of the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the Watertown Treaty between the Mi’kmaq and St. John’s (aka Maliseet) Indigenous nations in Canada and the newly formed United States.

Entertainment

Best Selling Author to Present a Narrated Slide Show: Exploring the Hidden Charles River

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Michael Tougias

The following information was provided by Michael Tougias:

Michael Tougias, author of Exploring The Hidden Charles, will present a narrated slide presentation about his beloved river. The presentation follows the Charles River on its 80 mile journey from Hopkinton to Boston, and along the way Tougias will share anecdotes, history, wildlife encounters and conservation issues. Suggestions for exploring the river and nearby reservations will also be discussed. After the presentation Tougias will sign copies of his books and answer questions about the river or about the writing and publishing process. Tougias is a New York Times Bestselling author and co-author of 30 books including “Extreme Survival: Lessons From Those Who Have Triumphed Against All Odds.”