54th Regiment – Shaw Memorial – returns

54th Regiment, Shaw Memorial, Beacon St., Boston, MA. sculpture by Augustus St. Gaudens

This heroic Memorial depicts the 54th Regiment, with Black volunteers from many states, led by Col. Robert G. Shaw, marching down Beacon Street on May 28th, 1863, on their way to South Carolina. Soldiers included two sons of abolition leader Frederick Douglass.

Cheered on by crowds singing Julia Ward Howe’s new “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, they marched, then sailed for their first battle at Fort Wagner, SC.

Restoration began in 2020. Unveiled with a public ceremony May 28, 2021, the anniversary of the event depicted by St. Gaudens.

Paul Revere midnight ride

Revere statue by Cyrus Dallin

April 18th, 1775, Paul Revere arranged for the lantern signal, then was rowed across the Charles River to begin his midnight ride to Lexington to raise the alarm about the arrival there of British regular soldiers.

Evacuation Day – British leave Boston

Washington at Dorchester Heights

Evacuation Day in Boston marks the departure of the British on March 17, 1776, ending the 11-month “Siege of Boston.” This painting by Gilbert Stuart shows Washington at Dorchester Heights, where he surprised the British with new fortifications and cannons. The “Evacuation” took troops and Tory citizens to Halifax, NS. In Boston, Evacuation Day a local holiday, often combined with St. Patrick’s Day. Dorchester Heights is in South Boston.

Boston Massacre woodcut by Paul Revere

March 5, 1770. A snowy evening. A musket shot is fired. More shooting follows, killing five. This woodcut image by Paul Revere.

Frederick Douglass + Abolition on Boston Freedom Trail

Frederick Douglass birthday today. Black leader, abolitionist, orator; “The most photographed man in America” at that time. He lived in New Bedford, Nantucket, Lynn and Springfield, MA. Important connections to Boston. Born a slave, not knowing his actual birth date, he is honored today. The fight to end slavery and extend equal rights to African-Americans is part of the Freedom Trail story.

Ticknor & Fields at Old Corner Bookstore

Fields, Hawthorne, Ticknor

This group portrait shows 3 giants of Boston publishing. William Ticknor (right) and James T. Fields (left) operated the Ticknor & Fields publishing company at the Old Corner Bookstore at the corner of School and Washington Streets, Boston. Nathaniel Hawthorne (center) was one of their talented authors. His “Scarlet Letter” was published by T&F. Such hats, such coats! Photo by J.W. Black, whose photo studio was nearby.

Trapped – not Free – 75th anniversary of Cocoanut Grove fire Boston

Cocoanut Grove book, Boston, MA

Nov 28, 1942. Fire at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub, in Boston’s Bay Village. 492 people died, most within minutes. Shown here, clippings and 3 of the survivors.

Old North Church underground tombs open

200 year old tomb under Old North Church

200 year old tomb under Old North Church

Archeologists have opened one of the tombs in the crypt under Old North Church. Skulls and bones in piles. Many caskets were pushed into these crypts, then moved, then more pushed in. Boston Globe article.

Old Ironsides battle image

USS Constitution vs HMS GuerriereOn August 19, 1812, the frigate USS Constitution engaged the British ship HMS Guerriere in a sea battle off Halifax, NS. Constitution overpowered Guerriere in a decisive victory. This is where the “Old Ironsides” nickname was born.