Around Town

Historical Society Program Explores Watertown’s Link to Declaration of Independence and Nation’s First Treaty

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Marilynne Roach of the Historical Society of Watertown made a presentation about the signing of the Treaty of Watertown and the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Edmund Fowle House. This year the ceremony will be at the Senior Center. (Courtesy of the Historical Society)

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

A program presented by the Historical Society at the Watertown Senior Center, honoring two important events: the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Watertown. A talk & slide-show presentation will tell the story of the role & significance that the Edmund Fowle House (28 Marshall St) played in Watertown’s first public reading of the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the Watertown Treaty between the Mi’kmaq and St. John’s (aka Maliseet) Indigenous nations in Canada and the newly formed United States.

Entertainment

Best Selling Author to Present a Narrated Slide Show: Exploring the Hidden Charles River

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Michael Tougias

The following information was provided by Michael Tougias:

Michael Tougias, author of Exploring The Hidden Charles, will present a narrated slide presentation about his beloved river. The presentation follows the Charles River on its 80 mile journey from Hopkinton to Boston, and along the way Tougias will share anecdotes, history, wildlife encounters and conservation issues. Suggestions for exploring the river and nearby reservations will also be discussed. After the presentation Tougias will sign copies of his books and answer questions about the river or about the writing and publishing process. Tougias is a New York Times Bestselling author and co-author of 30 books including “Extreme Survival: Lessons From Those Who Have Triumphed Against All Odds.”

Around Town

WATERTOWN WEEKEND FUN: Celebrate Bike Month, Historic House Talk, Volunteer Projects, Tamales & a Dance Performance

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This is a weekend for spring cleaning, so let’s get our hands dirty! You can bring your dusty bike out of the basement and get it ready to enjoy all the new bike lanes around or help to clean up our green spaces through Watertown Helps Out. If you’re a New England history buff, you will enjoy the Watertown Historical Society talk about restoring a 300 year-old home. Then head home and work on your own, glad that it’s only 100 years old or so. Hungry after all that work?

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.