history Archives

Researching And Remembering The Slaves Who Served In The Continental Army

The Cambridge Historical Commission has identified at least 10 soldiers who were either enslaved or formerly enslaved and may have been from Cambridge, including Cato Boardman and Cato Stedman It has been 250 years since Cambridge’s Cato Boardman and Cato Stedman joined 68 other militiamen on the Lexington Green and

ADAM SENNOTT April 17, 2025

Grace Lonergan Lorch Fought Back From Dorchester To Little Rock, And Paid Severely

Though best remembered as an integration advocate in Arkansas, Lonergan Lorch’s foray into activism was defending women teachers in her native Boston in the ’40s

JACOB SCHLES April 13, 2025

Large crowd outside of Skinner and Eddy employment office. The shipyard workers struck two weeks before the Seattle General Strike on Feb. 6, 1919.

General Strikes Are Now Mainstream In Massachusetts

Big ups for Rep. McGovern and Jon Keller discussing what was once undiscussable in Bay State media, but a few historical corrections are in order

JASON PRAMAS March 20, 2025

How The Boston Federation Of Teachers Begat The Boston Teachers Union

A sidebar to “Grace Lonergan Lorch Fought Back From Dorchester To Little Rock, And Paid Severely”

JACOB SCHLES March 20, 2025

Salem Willows: From ‘Pest House’ To Public Park

The popular North Shore hangout has a fascinating history

NORAH DOYLE March 6, 2025

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE WITCH CITY OUIJA WIZ

The Salem Witch Board Museum is a local landmark that channels a national phenomenon

NATE HOMAN October 1, 2024

GOVERNING IN DARKNESS: Part 3

Who are the Massachusetts governor’s councilors? What professional baggage do they bring to the body? And can this motley crew stumble toward reform?

JEAN TROUNSTINE August 29, 2024

GOVERNING IN DARKNESS: Part 2

With its hollow rules, ethical dilemmas, and reluctance to address a lack of transparency and other problems, the Governor’s Council has no clothes

JEAN TROUNSTINE August 14, 2024

GOVERNING IN DARKNESS: Part 1

For centuries, critics have questioned whether the Governor’s Council, rife with conflict, should exist. In 2024, is the body obsolete?

JEAN TROUNSTINE July 25, 2024

PHILHARMONICAL WARFARE

How the government secretly paid for the Boston Symphony Orchestra to promote American cultural enlightenment There is not much to see or do in Abilene, Kansas. Pulling into a local 24-hour gas station in a bug-splattered pickup earlier this year, I probably fit the profile of the typical visitor. For

JONATHAN RILEY October 25, 2022