Around Town

Learn About the History of American Lighthouses at Historical Society Event

By |

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

In a work rich in maritime lore and brimming with original historical detail, Eric Jay Dolin, presents the most comprehensive history of American lighthouses ever written, telling the story of America through the prism of its beloved coastal sentinels. Set against the backdrop of an expanding nation, Brilliant Beacons traces the evolution of America’s lighthouse system, highlighting the political, military, and technological battles fought to illuminate the nation’s hardscrabble coastlines. Eric Jay Dolin grew up near the coasts of New York and Connecticut, and since an early age was fascinated by the natural world, especially the ocean. He earned a double-major in biology and environmental studies, a master’s degree in environmental management from Yale, and a Ph.D. in environmental policy and planning from MIT, where his dissertation focused on the role of the courts in the cleanup of Boston Harbor. He enjoys writing and telling stories and has written 15 books.

Around Town

Our History: G. Fred Robinson — Beautified Charles River Bank, Erected Monuments

By |

George Fred Robinson – President of the Historical Society of Watertown from 1930 – 1949
(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. was written by former Historical Society President Karl Neugebauer for the January 2006 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier.”

MOUNT AUBURN NOTABLES

In celebration of the 375th anniversary of the founding of Watertown, the Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery and the Historical Society of Watertown joined together on Oct. 9 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. The following information was presented by Historical Society President Karl Neugebauer.

Around Town

Tour a Watertown Home that Dates Back to 1772 with the Historical Society

By |

Charlie BreitroseThe Edmund Fowle House during the re-enactment of the reading of the Declaration of Independence which took place in 1776. Tour one of Watertown’s oldest homes during the March Historical Society of Watertown event. The Historical Society of Watertown will be giving its March Sunday tours at the Edmund Fowle House, 28 Marshall Street, Watertown, MA  02472, on the last Sunday of the month  which is March 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. with the last tour at 3:15 p.m.  Admission:  $5 for adults; $2 for students and seniors

Dating back to 1772, the Fowle House was the locations for some historic events. In 1775 it became the seat of government for the Provincial Congress, and was the location of the first treaty signing after the United States gained Independence. Now the Fowle House is the headquarters of the Historical society.

Around Town

Our History: Famed Watertown Sculptor Anne Whitney

By |

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 April 2006 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier.”

MOUNT AUBURN NOTABLES

In celebration of the 375th anniversary of the founding of Watertown, the Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery and the Historical Society of Watertown joined together on October 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. The following information was presented by author and illustrator Marilynne Roach, a member of the Historical Society and a Watertown Historical Commission Board Member. Anne Whitney 1821-1915

Born in Watertown on Galen Street (in the Hunt house of Revolutionary fame) in a family active in abolition, education and women’s rights (Lucy Stone was a cousin), Anne Whitney received an excellent education – especially for a woman of her time.

Around Town

Our History: Tavern Provided Revolutionary Patrons Food & Lodging, Including George Washington

By |

The Coolidge Tavern (Courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library)

This is part of a series of stories that originally appeared in the Historical Society of Watertown’s newsletter. It was written by Joyce Kelly, Board member of the Historical Society of Watertown. Joyce writes for the newsletter and is the newsletter editor. This was published in the April 2003 newsletter, “The Town Crier.”

THE COOLIDGE TAVERN

The Coolidge Tavern was built c. 1740 at the corner of Galen and Watertown streets. The Tavern was on the road leading to Boston and therefore a highly popular stopover for travelers.

Around Town

Our History: A Look Back at the Charles River Through the Years

By |

Chuck DickinsonThe Charles River in Watertown. This article 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. It was published in our October 1998 newsletter, “The Town Crier.” THE CHARLES RIVER, LONG AGO

The Native American name for the Charles River was Quineboquin.

Around Town

UPDATED: OP-ED: Resident Calls for Celebrating Watertown’s History, Avoid Becoming “Anywhere, USA”

By |

(The author has responded to some of the comments from the original Op-Ed posted on Feb. 8, 2023, see them after the letter:)

First, I want to thank the watertownmanews and the Historical Society of Watertown and Joyce Kelly, in particular, for this Saturday’s trip into Watertown’s past. It seems sometimes that the City of Watertown is engaged in such a head spinning rush to blandness and “anytown-ness” that in the words of Joni Mitchell, “We won’t know what we’ve got till it’s gone.”

In June 2022, Clyde Younger and I presented a proposal that would require a study of old buildings on Main Street, and one in particular (104-106 Main), to see if a local historic district was appropriate. The City Council, without much discussion, unanimously voted down our proposal for a study, one councillor even remarking that there are no old buildings on Main Street. Having been turned down for a historic study of one of the oldest and most historic cities and on one of the oldest and most historic streets in North America, I decided that I would do a study myself.

Around Town

Our History: Tour the Inside and Out of the Home of One of Watertown’s Famous Architects

By |

Charles Brigham House, 84 Garfield Street, 2nd story lost in hurricane of 1938 (Courtesy of Sigrid Reddy Watson)

The following story is part of a series about local history. It was written by Sigrid Reddy Watson Terman for the October 2000 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.”

CHARLES BRIGHAM’S HOUSES GRACE GARFIELD STREET

Recently I had the pleasure of seeing both the exterior and the interior of Charles Brigham’s house on Garfield Street at the invitation of Wilga Rivers, the present owner. It sits on a large lot, and retains many of the features for which Brigham was renowned.