Around Town

Historical Society Showing Video on Armenians of Hood Rubber, Holding Annual Meeting

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The Historical Society of Watertown will host its Annual Members Meeting with Election of Board Members on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 2 p.m. Immediately following: Screening and discussion of the documentary, “Destination Watertown: The Armenians of Hood Rubber” by Roger Hagopian. Come join the Historical Society and the Watertown Free Public Library for this compelling program! Watertown Free Public LibraryWatertown Savings Bank Meeting Room123 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472

The 65-minute documentary “is a timeless and universal story of immigrants escaping genocide and persevering through the hard life of factory work in America in the early decades of the 20th century.” The film contains interviews with stories and reflections of former employees of Armenian descent and East Watertown Residents, interspersed with personal and historic photographs, maps, documents, artifacts, and images of remnants of the old factory, once the largest of its kind in the world. A history lover since his youth, Roger is a graduate of the University of Mass. at Boston, where he received his degree in music.

Around Town

One of Watertown’s Oldest Houses Has Quite a History

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Charlie BreitroseThe Edmund Fowle House has been in Watertown for 251 years, though not always at its current spot on Marshall Street. It played a role in the American Revolution, including the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Massachusetts (re-enacted here in 2016) and was where the first treaty was signed by the United States. It is now home to the Historical Society of Watertown which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Living in a house dating back to the time of the American Revolution can be an adventure, with bouncy floors, water coming through the ceiling, and evidence of superstitions of times past. Former Historical Society President Paul Brennan recalled his years spent living in the Edmund Fowle House on Saturday when he returned for the Society’s 100th anniversary and the celebration of 251 years for the home that played a role in the American Revolution.

Around Town

Our History: Long Lost Cane Given to Oldest Resident Returns to Watertown

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The head of Watertown’s cane has several dents, but you can see it says, “Presented by The Boston Post to the OLDEST CITIZEN of Watertown” (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

This article is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Joyce Kelly, Board member of the Historical Society of Watertown. Joyce writes articles for the newsletter and is the newsletter editor. This was published in our July 2009 newsletter, “The Town Crier.”

1909 BOSTON POST CANE RETURNS TO WATERTOWN

In 1909, the Boston Post newspaper began a highly successful marketing scheme. They began presenting canes made of African ebony with 14-karat gold heads to the oldest man in 700 different towns in New England.

Around Town

Our History: Sam Adams Frequented Watertown’s Fowle House

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Charlie BreitroseThe Edmund Fowle House in Watertown housed the Massachusetts Council in Revolutionary times. Sam Adams was among the members of the Council. The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Historical Society President Marilynne Roach for the January 2009 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier”. Marilynne is also on the board of the Watertown Historical Commission.

Around Town

Our History: A Water Tower Once Sat Upon Whitney Hill

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Standpipe, Watertown Water Supply Co., Whitney (Palfrey) Hill. Built 1884, 40′ X 40′. (Photo courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library)

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 October 2005 Historical Society 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.”

Around Town

Our History: New Nation Signs First Treaty in Watertown

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In 2002, local artist Henry Zunino sculpted a magnificent terra-cotta bas-relief of the signing of the Treaty of Watertown and presented it to the Historical Society. A copy was also produced and presented to the Town Council. It now resides in the foyer of Town Hall. A Dedication Ceremony was held July 13, 2004 at in the Town Hall Foyer. (Courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

This article is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown.

Around Town

Our History: The Formation of the Historical Society of Watertown

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Dr. Alfred Hosmer (Courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library)

The following article is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Joyce Kelly, Board member of the Historical Society of Watertown. Joyce writes articles for the newsletter and is the newsletter editor. This was published in our February 1999 newsletter, “The Town Crier.” THE FORMING OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WATERTOWN

Many of you have been members of the Historical Society for years, and several of you are new members.

Around Town

Our History: Seth Bemis, Owned Mill That Made Sails for the USS Constitution

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Seth Bemis 1775-1852 (Photo courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library)

The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by former Historical Society Vice-President, the late Pam Pinsky for the July 2006 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier”. MOUNT AUBURN NOTABLES

In celebration of the 375 th anniversary of the founding of Watertown, the Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery and the Historical Society of Watertown joined together on Oct. 9, 2005 to give a guided tour of the gravesites of several notable people who once resided in Watertown. The lives of our Watertown notables were recalled by members of the Historical Society Council and Historical Society volunteers.