Around Town

Our History: A Look Back at the Flu Pandemic of 1918 in Watertown

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This is the first of a series of stories on Watertown history that originally appeared in the Historical Society of Watertown’s newsletter:

The following story was written by David J. Russo, for the January 2012 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier”. At the time, David was the Historical Society Recording Secretary and Chair of the Watertown Historical Commission. Watertown’s Flu Pandemic of 1918

This fall we’ve been reminded to get our annual flu shot. Our public health officials advise that the minimal inconvenience and pain of the shot is far better than the malady itself. As one who has had both a flu shot and the flu, I would heartily agree.

Around Town

Historic Paintings Removed from City Hall to be Restored Using Community Preservation Funds

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Charlie BreitroseEmployees from Maquette Fine Arts Services prepare one of the historic paintings in City Hall’s lobby to be removed from the wall for restoration. Stephen Munroe of Maquette, center, speaks with art preservationist Louise Orsini, right. Friday morning a quiet sense of anticipation filled the lobby of Watertown’s City Hall. The marble covered atrium was filled with history lovers and art preservationists waiting to see what secrets are held by a pair of paintings dating back to the early 1930s. The towering paintings have been inset into the walls of Watertown’s Town Hall (since 2021 City Hall) since it opened in 1932.

Entertainment

Meet Rachel Revere at Event Hosted by Watertown Historical Society

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

The Historical Society of Watertown & Watertown Free Public Library present “Rendezvous with Rachel Revere” Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 at 2 p.m. Watertown Free Public Library- Watertown Savings Bank Room, 123 Main St Watertown MA 02472. After The Midnight Ride … Rachel Revere’s Untold Story! a History At PlayTM, LLC Immersive Living History Experience:

It is May 2, 1775, and Rachel Revere has only heard from her beloved husband Paul once since his legendary midnight ride. Isolated from one another due to the Siege of Boston, Rachel creates a plan, which shall safely take her children: six step-children from Paul’s first marriage and a newborn baby of their own, from the reach of the British Regular Army.

Around Town

Historical Society Raising Funds to Repair a One of Watertown’s Oldest Homes

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Charlie BreitroseThe Edmund Fowle House served as the headquarters of Massachusetts’ executive branch during the Revolutionary War, and is now home to the Historical Society of Watertown. The Historical Society of Watertown has started a fundraiser to help pay for much-needed maintenance and improvements to one of the oldest and most historic homes in Watertown. The Historical Society provided the following information:

Built in 1772, the Edmund Fowle House is the second oldest surviving house in Watertown and celebrates its 250th birthday this year. 

At the beginning of the American Revolution it served as headquarters for the executive branch of the Massachusetts government from July 1775 to September 1776. As part of this governance many historic people of note have stepped foot in the house, such as John Adams, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. On July 18th, 1776, Council Secretary, Perez Morton, proclaimed the newly approved Declaration of Independence to the whole town by reading it from a window of the second-floor Council Chamber at the Edmund Fowle House.

Around Town

“Meet” John Adams at Event Hosted by the Historical Society

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George Adams will recreate President John Adams during an event hosted by the Historical Society of Watertown. The following announcement was provided by the Historical Society of Watertown:

The Historical Society of Watertown and The Watertown Free Public Library present “Meet John Adams — A Lively and Revolutionary Conversation with the Second President” on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 2 p.m.

The event will be at the Watertown Free Public Library’s Watertown Savings Bank Room, 123 Main St., Watertown. Join the Historical Society of Watertown & the Watertown Free Public Library for a live presentation by George Baker portraying John Adams, dressed as the Second President of the United States 1797-1801. John Adams talks about his life and times in a humorous and inspiring performance and discusses many incidents in his life.

Around Town

Watertown Celebrating 2 Historic Events During Virtual Event

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Charlie BreitroseA re-enactor from the Historical Society of Watertown reads the Declaration of Independence from the same spot it was first read in 1776, the second floor of the Edmund Fowle House during a Treaty Day Celebration from a previous year. The Historical Society of Watertown announced that the 2022 Treaty Day celebrations will be held virtually. The event marks not just one, but two events of historic significance in the local, state, and the national history. In the past, the event has been held at the Edmund Fowle House on Marshall Street where re-enactors read the Declaration of Independence and members of the modern groups that descended from those that took part in the signing of Treaty of Watertown attend the event. This year, due to multiple reasons, the event will be held virtually.

Around Town

New Marker Recalls Former Home of First Jewish Dairy Farmers in Watertown and the State

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Charlie BreitroseHistorical Society of Watertown member Bob Bloomberg glances at the new historic marker near the former location of the Shick House. The marker was dedicated on June 26. A shiny, new blue sign with gold lettering now sits feet away from where a farmhouse stood for about 170 years. The historical marker is the only reminder of the home owned by the family that ran the first Jewish-owned dairy in Massachusetts and of Watertown’s rich agricultural history. The Historical Society of Watertown unveiled the new marker for the Shick House on Sunday afternoon.

City Council

Council Holding Special Meeting on Creating Historic District, Changing Name of Delta & Community Preservation Projects

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall. Three items will be covered during a special City Council meeting next week: a petition to create a historic district on Main Street, a petition to change the name of the delta in Watertown Square, and to consider the recommended project from the Community Preservation Committee. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 21 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber in Town Hall, 149 Main St. The name of the delta will discussed first, followed by the historic district proposal, and then the CPC projects. People can also participate in the meeting on Zoom.