Watertown’s Rich History Celebrated With New Banners Around Town

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Watertown Historical Society

One of the new banners, this one featuring Charles Pratt, celebrating historical figures who lived in Watertown.

One of the new banners, this one featuring Charles Pratt, celebrating historical figures who lived in Watertown.

Watertown Historical Society

One of the new banners, this one featuring Charles Pratt, celebrating historical figures who lived in Watertown.

Watch for new banners in Watertown Square. Eleven prominent people from Watertown are featured. It was the brainstorm of Carole Katz at the Watertown Savings Bank, according to the announcement from the bank.

Katz worries many people are unaware of Watertown’s rich history and she wanted to create something to bring more attention to its famous forbearers. She contacted Historical Society of Watertown members Joyce Kelly, Marilynne Roach and Mary Spiers and asked them to help her choose who should be featured on a series of banners to be hung throughout Watertown Square. Together they created a list of names that included not only people who contributed to Watertown’s history but those who have had an impact beyond our town.

A close look at one of the banners made by the Watertown Historical Society and funded by Watertown Savings Bank. This one features Benjamin Curtis.

A close look at one of the banners made by the Watertown Historical Society and funded by Watertown Savings Bank. This one features Benjamin Curtis.

After some discussion, and considering their contributions and the availability of images, the group decided on the following people (in alphabetical order):

Charles Brigham, (1841-1925), Well-known architect whose works include the original Museum of Fine Arts building, the annex to the State House and the Christian Science Church Extension in Boston, as well as many building and houses in Watertown.

Lydia Maria Child, (1802-1880) Abolitionist, women’s rights activist, Native American rights activist, novelist, and journalist. She published “Juvenile Miscellany” which was the first children’s magazine in the US. She was also the author of “The Frugal Housewife”, a combination cookbook and advice book.

Benjamin Robbins Curtis (1809-1874), U.S. Supreme Court Justice who wrote the dissenting opinion of the Dred Scott decision and Chief Counsel to Andrew Johnson during his impeachment trial. Historically, Curtis has been the only Supreme Court Justice to resign on principle – over the Dred Scott decision.

Sterling Elliot, (1852-1922), Inventor and successful businessman. Several of his inventions were critical elements to the success of the automobile.

Adeline Fowle, (1799-1869), Renowned for her exceptional beauty and notable intelligence, she saved her first (American) husband’s Paris bank from collapse and after his death married a French aristocrat and traveled the globe with him. Her husband became the French ambassador to England and Adeline entertained Queen Victoria at their home. Adeline was a niece to Edmund Fowle, whose house is owned by the Historical Society of Watertown and open to the public.

Convers Francis, (1795-1863) Writer, preacher and Moderator for the Transcendental Club which included notables like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Bronson Alcott, Henry David Thoreau and Margaret Fuller. He was minister of Watertown’s First Parish Church from 1819 to 1842 and then went on to be the Professor of Pastoral Care and Pulpit Eloquence at the Harvard Divinity School.

Harriet Hosmer, (1830-1908), Considered the most distinguished female sculptor in America of the 19th century. Her work can be seen in museums throughout the country, including the Art Institute of Chicago, St. Louis Art Museum, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford.

Ellen Robbins, (1828-1905), 19 th century artist known for her botanical illustrations. Her work was published in books, on china patterns, and fabric designs. Art historian Samuel Benjamin considered her “one of the finest still life painters in America.”

Charles Pratt, (1830-1891), Successful businessman and philanthropist. He was a pioneer in the petroleum industry and founded Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.

Sir Richard Saltonstall, (1586-1661), Led a group of English settlers up the Charles River to settle what is now called Watertown.

Anne Whitney, (1821-1915), Sculptor and poet, Whitney was also an abolitionist and a suffragette. Her work can be found at the Smithsonian, Harvard University, the Peabody Essex Museum and the Watertown Free Public Library, to name a few. Her statue of Sam Adams stands outside of Faneuil Hall.

This banner features Sir Richard Saltonstall, one of the historical figures chosen by the Historical Society for their contributions not only in town but beyond Watertown.

This banner features Sir Richard Saltonstall, one of the historical figures chosen by the Historical Society for their contributions not only in town but beyond Watertown.

We acknowledge that there are many other important contributors that are not included in this list. We hope to have an opportunity to present more figures from Watertown’s history in the future.

The banners were made possible by a generous grant of the Watertown Savings Bank. The Watertown

Free Public Library was the source for all of the images except the Charles Brigham image. Further information about each person can be found at the library or the Internet. For further information contact the Historical Society of Watertown at www.historicalsocietyofwatertownma.org.

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