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.

Around Town

Learn About the History of American Lighthouses at Historical Society Event

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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

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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

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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

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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.