Around Town

Hear About Preserving a Historic Farmhouse at Historical Society Annual Meeting

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

On Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 2 p.m. the Historical Society of Watertown will host a presentation about preserving a 300-year-old farmhouse. Prior to the presentation, the Historical Society will hold its annual meeting, including a vote on a proposed change to the group’s by-laws. The meeting and presentation will be held at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main Street, Watertown, in the Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room. A slide show called “A House Restored: The Tragedies and Triumphs of Saving a New England Colonial” will also include a talk on the historic preservation of a 300-year-old farmhouse on the South Shore by Lee McColgan. The Historical Society provided the following description of the presentation:

Old houses share their secrets only if they survive.

Around Town

Presentation About Jordan Marsh Hosted by Historical Society of Watertown

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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 Present: “Jordan Marsh: New England’s Largest Store,” a slide show and talk by Anthony Sammarco on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library – Watertown Savings Bank Room, 123 Main St., Watertown, MA 02472. Come join us as Anthony Sammarco reveals the fascinating history of Boston’s beloved Jordan Marsh. Jordan Marsh opened its first store in 1851 on Milk Street in Boston selling assorted dry goods. Do you remember the blueberry muffins and the Enchanted Village? Referred to as the “Balzac of Boston History” by the Boston Globe, Anthony Mitchell Sammarco is a noted historian and author of over seventy books on the history and development of Boston, and he lectures widely on the history and development of his native city.

Around Town

Restoration Underway for Historic Paintings from Watertown’s City Hall

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1930 geographical painting on treatment table at studio, in bottom section of its foam-core box. (Courtesy of the Historical Society of Watertown)

A group from Watertown recently visited the studio of the art restoration specialist hired to refurbish historic paintings that normally hang in the main entryway in Watertown’s City Hall. Joyce Kelly of the Historical Society of Watertown provided the following account:

The geographical paintings that usually flank the foyer at the main entrance to City Hall are currently in the studio of conservator Louise Orsini being refurbished. In 2022, the Historical Society of Watertown received a grant from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for the conservation of the two geographical paintings in the foyer of City Hall. The 5.5 x 7.5 foot paintings were installed when the building opened in 1932.

Around Town

Local Builder Helps Historical Society Repair One of Watertown’s Oldest Houses

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseThe Edmund Fowle House during a Treaty Day celebration. Submitted by Joyce Kelly & Marilynne Roach, Historical Society of Watertown

In November 2022 Patrick Mulroy, builder, remodeler, historic preservationist, and owner of ReModern Builders, contacted the Historical Society. Recently moved to Church Street in Watertown and wishing to become personally and professionally involved in the community, he offered us a donation of skilled labor from his carpenters. We met with Patrick at the Edmund Fowle House where we showed him a few projects that needed to be done but were on hold for lack of funds. He told us he was “excited to be able to not only donate to the upkeep of a historic resource, but participate in it as well.” (The Fowle House is on the National Register of Historic Places.) 

Patrick decided to take on the project of the side porch entrance door.

Around Town

Our History: Thank You to Sen. Steven Tolman for Help Preserving Historical Asset

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Sen. Steven Tolman at the Commander’s Mansion (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

The following piece is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. The speech was written by Paul Brennan, former President and former Vice President of the Historical Society. He wrote it for a reception held to honor Senator Steve Tolman. It was published in the April 2005 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier.” When Paul was President, he lived in the Fowle House for 5 years starting in 1988 and in December 2000 was named the “Town Historian” by the Town Council. On February 15, 2005 the Historical Society of Watertown publicly acknowledged and thanked State Senator Steve Tolman for his successful efforts in obtaining funding for the restoration and preservation of the historic Edmund Fowle House.

Around Town

Our History: The Golden Cookie Company & Museum Day at the State House

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A Golden Cookie Factory tin container, made to look like a picnic basket (Photo courtesy of
Joyce Kelly)

The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Sigrid Reddy Watson Terman for the July 2005 Historical Society of Watertown newsletter, “The Town Crier.” Sigrid is a former Board member and former President of the Historical Society, as well at a former Director of the Watertown Free Public Library. For several years starting in 1997, she wrote a Watertown history column for the Watertown TAB/Press called “Echoes.” Sigrid published her columns in a book called “Watertown Echoes: A Look Back at Life in a Massachusetts Town”. The book is available for purchase through the Historical Society of Watertown for $10. To purchase it, please contact Joyce at joycekel@aol.com.

Around Town

Our History: Mills Along the Charles River in Watertown

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Aetna Mills

The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Paul Brennan, former President and former Vice President of the Historical Society for the October 1998 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier.” When Paul was President, he lived in the Fowle House for 5 years and in December 2000 was named the “Town Historian” by the Town Council. AETNA MILLS

On September 27, 1995, Paul Brennan, President of the Historical Society, greeted the members of the Senior Center for the sixth time in about a year for yet another much anticipated historic tour of a long-forgotten treasure of our town, the Aetna Mills. After a question and answer period in the Senior Center, the group of thirty members boarded the shuttle and traveled down to the banks of the Charles River to view one of Watertown’s early industrial influences of the 18th and 19th century. Tour group from the Senior Center in the museum at Aetna Mills (Courtesy of Paul Brennan)

The large complex of red brick buildings located at the corner of Bridge and Pleasant Streets is now owned and occupied by The Boston Scientific Corporation (Editor’s 2023 Note: Boston Scientific is no longer in this location).

Around Town

Our History: Discovery Unearthed Behind Revolutionary Era House

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The following articles are part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. They were written by former Historical Society President Paul Brennan for the December 1989 edition of the Historical Society of Watertown newsletter, “The Town Crier.”

A PEN AND SHOVEL

On Friday, October 27, 1989 the Edmund Fowle House was visited by Archeologist Edward L. Bell from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. He came in response to a recent discovery at the Edmund Fowle House which at first appeared to be a large underground well in it’s backyard. The following account is taken from my diary leading up to this Historic meeting. On Saturday morning, October, 15, 1989, I had a young visitor at the Fowle House.