Sad Day for Preservation

Posted on April 27, 2016 by earltaylor
The attached photos show a demolition and the appearance of the building prior to today.
It makes sad to lose an unusual property that is so evocative of our past.
Earl Taylor884 Adams Street 4-25-16 and before
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Dorchester Illustration 2246 Lyman Fountain

Posted on April 24, 2016 by earltaylor

2246 Lyman Fountain original

Dorchester Illustration no. 2246

Today’s illustration is a scan of an illustration published  in Proceedings of the Dedication of the Fountain on Eaton Square, Ward 24, October 24, 1885, in memory of Theodore Lyman, Jr., Mayor of Boston in 1834-35. Boston: Printed by Order of the City Council, 1886.

If you have ever wondered what the fountain on Bowdoin Street at the bottom of Meeting House Hill looked like, here you have it.

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The Dorchester Illustration is sent occasionally. If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please reply to be taken off the e-mail list. If you know others who would like to receive the daily e-mail, please encourage them to join the group by going to http://groups.google.com/group/dorchester-historical-society. You may contact Earl Taylor at ERMMWWT@aol.com

If you value receiving the illustration, please express your appreciation by making a donation to the Dorchester Historical Society, either by regular mail at 195 Boston Street, Dorchester, MA 02125, or through the website at www.DorchesterHistoricalSociety.org

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Dorchester Illustration 2245 Laban Pratt House

Posted on April 17, 2016 by earltaylor

2245 Laban Pratt House from American Architect and Building News

Dorchester Illustration no. 2245

The Laban Pratt Laban house on Pope’s Hill appeared in American Architect and Building News, March 11, 1882, vol. XI, no. 326 following p. 138

Laban Pratt (1829-1923) was a prominent manufacturer and lumber merchant at Port Norfolk who lived on Pope’s Hill at the corner of Train and Boutwell Streets overlooking Dorchester Bay.

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The Dorchester Illustration is sent occasionally. If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please reply to be taken off the e-mail list. If you know others who would like to receive the daily e-mail, please encourage them to join the group by going to http://groups.google.com/group/dorchester-historical-society. You may contact Earl Taylor at ERMMWWT@aol.com

If you value receiving the illustration, please express your appreciation by making a donation to the Dorchester Historical Society, either by regular mail at 195 Boston Street, Dorchester, MA 02125, or through the website at www.DorchesterHistoricalSociety.org

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Dorchester Illustration 2244 stone excavated at Four Corners

Posted on April 10, 2016 by earltaylor

2244 stone at corner of Washington and Bowdoin Streets dug from excavation for new housing nearby

Dorchester Illustration no. 2244

The stone in today’s picture was excavated when foundation work was begun about a year ago at a development at Four Corners.  The stone is now located at the southeast corner of Washington and Bowdoin Streets but appears to have come from the development now under construction between Washington Street and Bowdoin Avenue on the north side of the intersection at approximately 324-336 Washington Street.  The stone has been described as a corner-stone, but it looks to me as if it may have had another purpose.  Please let us know if you have ideas.

Note:

The Dorchester Historical Society will host a program to mark the birthday of Edward Everett on Sunday, April 17 at 1 p.m. at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U S. Senate.

Edward Everett, who was born in Dorchester, was elected to United States Senate and served from March 4, 1853 until June 1, 1854. Among his many achievements as a preeminent public man of the nineteenth century, Everett’s career included ten years in the House of Representatives, four years as governor of Massachusetts, an appointment as United States Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain from 1841-1845, and, briefly, Secretary of State.

At the Kennedy Institute, whose mission is to educate the public about the important role of the Senate in our government and encourage participatory democracy and civil discourse, visitors will learn about the history of the Senate through the use of interactive technology and have the opportunity to become a senator in training.

 

DHS has arranged for a specially guided tour for its members, and has secured a group admission rate of $8. Tickets will be available for purchase soon at the Society’s website, www.dorchesterhistoricalsocietyblog.org. Members will also receive an invitation in the mail.

Join us as one of Dorchester’s oldest institutions pays a visit to its newest.

_____

The Dorchester Illustration is sent occasionally. If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please reply to be taken off the e-mail list. If you know others who would like to receive the daily e-mail, please encourage them to join the group by going to http://groups.google.com/group/dorchester-historical-society. You may contact Earl Taylor at ERMMWWT@aol.com

If you value receiving the illustration, please express your appreciation by making a donation to the Dorchester Historical Society, either by regular mail at 195 Boston Street, Dorchester, MA 02125, or through the website at www.DorchesterHistoricalSociety.org

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June 12, 2016, Dorchester House Tour

Posted on April 7, 2016 by admin

Dot House Tour Save the Date 2016

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Dorchester Illustration 2243 Edward Everett Statue knocked cover

Posted on April 3, 2016 by earltaylor

2243 Edward Everett statute toppled

Dorchester Illustration no. 2243

Before Edward Everett’s statue was moved to Richardson Park, it stood in a traffic circle at Edward Everett Square.  Today’s photo shows the statue toppled by a passing motorist in 1931.

Caption on verso: Motorist Fells Statute of Statesman. The 15-foot bronze statue of Edward Everett, famous statesman, standing in Edward Everett Square in Dorchester, Mass., was knocked face downward when a speeding motor car struck the base.  Workmen are seen above as they attempted to replace the likeness. 3/2/31  ACME NEWS

Note:

The Dorchester Historical Society will host a program to mark the birthday of Edward Everett on Sunday, April 17 at 1 p.m. at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U S. Senate.

Edward Everett, who was born in Dorchester, was elected to United States Senate and served from March 4, 1853 until June 1, 1854. Among his many achievements as a preeminent public man of the nineteenth century, Everett’s career included ten years in the House of Representatives, four years as governor of Massachusetts, an appointment as United States Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain from 1841-1845, and, briefly, Secretary of State.

At the Kennedy Institute, whose mission is to educate the public about the important role of the Senate in our government and encourage participatory democracy and civil discourse, visitors will learn about the history of the Senate through the use of interactive technology and have the opportunity to become a senator in training.

DHS has arranged for a specially guided tour for its members, and has secured a group admission rate of $8. Tickets will be available for purchase soon at the Society’s website, www.dorchesterhistoricalsocietyblog.org. Members will also receive an invitation in the mail

Join us as one of Dorchester’s oldest institutions pays a visit to its newest.

_____

The Dorchester Illustration is sent occasionally. If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please reply to be taken off the e-mail list. If you know others who would like to receive the daily e-mail, please encourage them to join the group by going to http://groups.google.com/group/dorchester-historical-society. You may contact Earl Taylor at ERMMWWT@aol.com

If you value receiving the illustration, please express your appreciation by making a donation to the Dorchester Historical Society, either by regular mail at 195 Boston Street, Dorchester, MA 02125, or through the website at www.DorchesterHistoricalSociety.org

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Dorchester Illustration 2242 Statue of Edward Everett

Posted on March 27, 2016 by earltaylor

2242 Statue of Edward Everett

Dorchester Illustration no. 2242

Edward Everett’s statue stands in Richardson Park at Edward Everett Square (the intersection of Columbia Road, Boston Street, Massachusetts Avenue and Cottage Street).  It was originally located in the Boston Public Garden but was moved to Dorchester, because Edward Everett was born in a house at this intersection (where the Dunkin Donuts is now).

The Dorchester Historical Society will host a program to mark the birthday of Edward Everett on Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m. at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U S. Senate.

Edward Everett, who was born in Dorchester, was elected to United States Senate and served from March 4, 1853 until June 1, 1854. Among his many achievements as a preeminent public man of the nineteenth century, Everett’s career included ten years in the House of Representatives, four years as governor of Massachusetts, an appointment as United States Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain from 1841-1845, and, briefly, Secretary of State.

At the Kennedy Institute, whose mission is to educate the public about the important role of the Senate in our government and encourage participatory democracy and civil discourse, visitors will learn about the history of the Senate through the use of interactive technology and have the opportunity to become a senator in training.

DHS has arranged for a specially guided tour for its members, and has secured a group admission rate of $8. Tickets will be available for purchase soon at the Society’s website, www.dorchesterhistoricalsocietyblog.org. Members will also receive an invitation in the mail

Join us as one of Dorchester’s oldest institutions pays a visit to its newest.

_____

The Dorchester Illustration is sent occasionally. If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please reply to be taken off the e-mail list. If you know others who would like to receive the daily e-mail, please encourage them to join the group by going to http://groups.google.com/group/dorchester-historical-society. You may contact Earl Taylor at ERMMWWT@aol.com

If you value receiving the illustration, please express your appreciation by making a donation to the Dorchester Historical Society, either by regular mail at 195 Boston Street, Dorchester, MA 02125, or through the website at www.DorchesterHistoricalSociety.org

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Dorchester Illustration 2241 Washington at Dorchester Heights

Posted on March 20, 2016 by earltaylor

2241 Washington at Dorchester Heights by Gilbert Stuart

Dorchester Illustration no. 2241

The American patriot troops fortified Dorchester Heights the night of March 4, 1776.  As a result on March 17, 1776, the British evacuated from Boston.  Today’s illustration is Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington at Dorchester Heights.  The significance of the battle that didn’t happen is that European powers began to understand that the English could be resisted, and in time support was obtained to aid in fighting England.  After the evacuation, the action of the American Revolution moved south to the mid-Atlantic sttes.

Later today at 2:00 p.m., the Dorchester Historical Society presents a program about Dorchester Heights.

Mrs. Baker shares memories of the first Evacuation Day.  — March 20, 2016, 2 pm, at the William Clapp House, 195 Boston Street

Celebrate Evacuation Day.  Come to hear Mittie Clapp Baker talk about her reminiscences of the events leading up to the fortification of Dorchester Heights and how that fateful night resulted in the British being forced to give up their occupation of Boston without a shot being fired.  Through the magic of time travel, Submit Baker (born Submit Clapp) will share her memories about events and people and Dorchester life in the second half of the 18th century.

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The Dorchester Illustration is sent occasionally. If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please reply to be taken off the e-mail list. If you know others who would like to receive the daily e-mail, please encourage them to join the group by going to http://groups.google.com/group/dorchester-historical-society. You may contact Earl Taylor at ERMMWWT@aol.com

If you value receiving the illustration, please express your appreciation by making a donation to the Dorchester Historical Society, either by regular mail at 195 Boston Street, Dorchester, MA 02125, or through the website at www.DorchesterHistoricalSociety.org

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Dorchester Illustration 2240 Revolutionary War Drum

Posted on March 13, 2016 by earltaylor

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

Dorchester Illustration no. 2240

The revolutionary war drum that came down the centuries in the Trask Family came to the Dorchester Historical Society from William Blake Trask.  His Trask ancestor arrived in Salem in the late 1620s, and he is also descended from the Blakes of Dorchester. William was born on Commercial Point, Dorchester, and became a genalogist and historical writer.  He married Rebecca Clapp, and they lived on Mayhew Street beside many other Clapp relatives.  When the last daughter of Lemuel Clap passed away in the 1870s, the Trasks moved into the Lemuel Clapp House (now owned by the Dorchester Historical Society).

On Sunday, March 20th, the Dorchester Historical Society presents a program about Dorchester Heights.

Mrs. Baker shares memories of the first Evacuation Day.  — March 20, 2016, 2 pm, at the William Clapp House, 195 Boston Street

Celebrate Evacuation Day.  Come to hear Mittie Clapp Baker talk about her reminiscences of the events leading up to the fortification of Dorchester Heights and how that fateful night resulted in the British being forced to give up their occupation of Boston without a shot being fired.  Through the magic of time travel, Submit Baker (born Submit Clapp) will share her memories about events and people and Dorchester life in the second half of the 18th century.

_____

The Dorchester Illustration is sent occasionally. If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please reply to be taken off the e-mail list. If you know others who would like to receive the daily e-mail, please encourage them to join the group by going to http://groups.google.com/group/dorchester-historical-society. You may contact Earl Taylor at ERMMWWT@aol.com

If you value receiving the illustration, please express your appreciation by making a donation to the Dorchester Historical Society, either by regular mail at 195 Boston Street, Dorchester, MA 02125, or through the website at www.DorchesterHistoricalSociety.org

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Dorchester Illustration 2239 children playing in dump

Posted on March 6, 2016 by earltaylor

2239 The dump turned into a children's playgrourd

Dorchester Illustration no. 2239

Today our illustration show children on improvised playground equipment made from discarded materials.  The scene is the Mile Road Dump at the end of Columbia Point, October, 1909.

Photograph is by Lewis Wickes Hine, a sociologist and photographer who used his camera as a tool for social reform.  This photograph is part of his collection held by the Library of Congress documenting mostly child labor in America 1908-1912.

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The Dorchester Illustration is sent occasionally. If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please reply to be taken off the e-mail list. If you know others who would like to receive the daily e-mail, please encourage them to join the group by going to http://groups.google.com/group/dorchester-historical-society. You may contact Earl Taylor at ERMMWWT@aol.com

If you value receiving the illustration, please express your appreciation by making a donation to the Dorchester Historical Society, either by regular mail at 195 Boston Street, Dorchester, MA 02125, or through the website at www.DorchesterHistoricalSociety.org

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