Noted historian and author Anthony Sammarco will trace the influence of molasses in the “Triangle Trade,” the 18th-century world economy involving rum, slaves, and sugar cane, and its important connection to Massachusetts. Sammarco, who has written 70 books, will be remembered for his crowd-pleasing presentation a couple of years ago: “The Baker Chocolate Company.” This […]
Popular Bedford resident and charming Town Historian Sharon McDonald will be the Bedford Historical Society’s Annual Meeting guest speaker, talking once again about another set of ancient and interesting Bedford residents, as she had done in past lecture seasons. This time, her Cast of (Nineteenth Century Historical) Characters will include abolitionist and suffragist Lucinda Hosmer, […]
Society President and Town Historian Sharon McDonald will be the Society’s Annual Meeting guest speaker, talking once again about another set of ancient and interesting Bedford residents, as she had done in past lecture seasons, in her "Cast of 18th and 19th-century Bedford Characters, Part 4." This talk will follow the Society’s Annual Meeting and […]
Join us for the grand opening of “Bedford Answers the Call” at our Open House on April 12th from 8 – 10:15 a.m. and immediately following the Pole Capping Day parade and ceremony. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the first day of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775, we’ve created a […]
Dressed in the clothes of 18th-century itinerant musicians, Deirdre Sweeney and Al Petty will perform an extensive repertoire of historical dance music, as well as marches and laments, including 18th-century tunes such as “Mr. Isaac’s Maggot” and “Jack’s Health.” Their instruments include the flute, penny whistle, recorder, and fife. The music was gathered from manuscripts […]
Meet the woman who hoodwinked George Washington’s army! Learn about the close calls and mountainous obstacles that Deborah Sampson faced as a poor farm girl, who, without support from family or friends, risked humiliation and imprisonment to help free the colonies from English rule. Janet Parnes, founder and principal of Historical Portrayals by Lady J, […]
Paul Revere is an American icon, but how much does the story of the Midnight Ride hold up, and why? This program will explore Revere and his famous ride, and offer some insights into other aspects of his life. Revere was a silversmith with several side jobs, an active member of the Freemasons, and a […]
While researching her Revolutionary War ancestor, General John Glover, Jane Woolsey Gropp of Lexington learned about the Marbleheaders, a group of fishermen and sailors from the coastal town of Marblehead who played a crucial role in several key military operations during the war. They were a diverse group, including free African Americans and Native Americans, […]