Around Town

Historical Society Hosting Tours of 2nd Oldest Home in Watertown

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The Edmund Fowle House & Museum. (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

Take a look inside a home in Watertown with loads of history on May 17. The Historical Society of Watertown will conduct tours of the Edmund Fowle House & Museum on Sunday May 17th from 1-4 p.m. The house is located at 28 Marshall St. The last tour begins at 3:15 p.m.

The description of the Fowle House on the Historical Society’s website says:

“Built in 1772, the Edmund Fowle House is the second oldest surviving house in Watertown. 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. The Treaty of Watertown was signed on July 19, 1776, in the Council Chamber on the second floor.

Around Town

Lafayette Celebrated (Again) in Watertown for Contributions to American Revolution

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Watertown officials celebrated the new historical marker in honor of General Lafayette. From left, Council Vice President Vincent Piccirilli, Council President Mark Sideris, Marilynne Roach of the Historical Society, City Manager George Proakis, Julien Icher of the Lafayette Trail, Joyce Kelly from the Historical Society, and City Councilor Caroline Bays. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

On a drizzly, cool morning, a small crowd of Watertown history buffs came out to celebrate a Frenchman who played an important role in winning the American Revolution. During the ceremony, Watertown’s newest historical marker was unveiled, honoring the Marquis de Lafayette, who served as a general in the American Army. On Sunday, April 19, the red sign with a blue border and white lettering was presented by Julien Icher, Founder & President of The Lafayette Trail Inc.

The marker celebrates a visit by Lafayette, said Marilynne Roach from the Historical Society of Watertown.

Around Town

Grand Opening of Historical Society’s Exhibit About Watertown’s Dairies at the Police Station

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Joyce Kelly and Todd Rivers of the Historical Society of Watertown installed the display on Watertown’s dairies at the Watertown Police Station (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

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

A few months ago, the Historical Society of Watertown was contacted by a couple of the police officers in Watertown. They wondered if we would be interested in partnering with them and installing an exhibit in one of the display cases in the police station lobby. We said “Yes – we would love to partner with you!”

After mulling over several ideas, we decided on an exhibit about the different dairies that were in Watertown over the years. These include Andrews Milk Co., Green Meadows, Shick/Watertown Dairy, Speedwell Farms and Woodland Dairy

Items on display include several photos and advertisements for the dairies. Also on display are many of the milk bottles from these dairies that we have in our collection at the Edmund Fowle House.

Entertainment

Historical Society Hosting Revolution Walking Tour & Performance by Historic Re-enactor

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Historic interpreter Michele Gabrielson will do a live performance as Mercy Otis Warren on Sept. 7. (Courtesy Photo)

The public had two chances to take the Historical Society’s Watertown During the Revolution walking tour, and the Historical Society is also hosting an event with the Watertown Library with a live reading of American Calliope: Mercy Otis Warren & the Writings of a Revolutionary. See the announcements from the Historical Society below. Historic Tours

The Historical Society of Watertown invites you to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the fight for American Independence by taking a walking tour of “Watertown During the Revolution.”

Around Town

Find Out About Watertown During the Revolution on Historical Society’s Walking Tour

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A pre-19th century depiction of the Fowle House. (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

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

The Historical Society of Watertown invites you to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the fight forAmerican Independence by taking a walking tour of “Watertown During the Revolution.”

Dates: Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.(3 chances to take this walking tour)

Meeting Place: Zussman Memorial Park beside 66 Galen St. (The tour will be cancelled for rain.)

Join Historical Society of Watertown walking tour leaders Lynne O’Connell and Beth Houston for a 90-minute walking tour to learn about the important role that the town played during the American Revolution. After the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, the Provincial Congress assembled in the town’s Meeting House, making Watertown the seat of the Massachusetts government for 18 months. As a result, many prominent Revolutionary War figures boarded in town, including Paul Revere and Joseph Warren.

Around Town

Recent High School Grad’s Project Focuses on History of Watertown Immigrants

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Residents of an Irish boarding house in Watertown, 1880s. Courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library and the Digital Commonwealth. Watertown’s Ciara Leonard recently had a project about the history of immigrants coming to Watertown published by Boston College’s Global Boston initiative. Leonard completed the project as part of her senior year at the Winsor School, from which she graduated this spring. In the fall, she is heading to Brown University.

Around Town

LETTER: Hidden History of Watertown’s Main Street

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Sanborn Fire Insurance Map 1884 of Watertown, Courtesy of the Library of Congress. By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Well, I guess it’s time to do my version of that famous Joni Mitchell song. “Big Yellow Taxi.” You really don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. You can thank a Watertown News reader for this article.