The Kiosk

What’s In a Name? Part II In my last newsletter, I parsed out the name of the Westborough Center for History and Culture and explained why we selected it, so perhaps a review of how well the title reflects what happens behind its glass windows is in order. As a...

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/benfranklinsworld/310_LaPier.mp3 To understand early American history, we need to investigate and understand North America as an Indigenous space. A place where Native American populations, politics, religion, and trade networks...

In preparation for digging of wells for an upcoming geothermal heating and cooling system in the Jason Russell House, the Arlington Historical Societyhas contracted to have Archaeological fieldwork done on the affected portion of the grounds. The Public Archaeology...

Mass Humanities Associate Director of Development Michelle Wilson interviewed Professor Gordon-Reed via email in August 2021. Can you tell our readers the condensed history of your life so far?I was born in Livingston, TX, and grew up in Conroe, TX. I went to...

Mass Humanities Associate Director of Development Michelle Wilson interviewed Dr. Richardson via email in August 2021. Tell me about a time as a child/young adult when you were inspired by the humanities— History? Literature? Philosophy? This question brings to mind...

What’s In a Name? When I got the chance to rebrand the Westborough Room several years ago, I wanted to find a name that better captured my vision for how Westborough’s rich historical resources could be used. Library Director Maureen Amyot and I together settled on...

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/benfranklinsworld/309_Reid.mp3 By the eighteenth century, the Atlantic Ocean had become a busy highway of ships crisscrossing its waters. What do we know about the ships that made these transatlantic voyages and connected the...

Each year I receive numerous messages from friends, family, and strangers alike asking for recommendations on what to see and do in the Witch City. It's nearly impossible to choose favorites in a city as rich in eateries, shopping, and attractions as Salem, but I've...

Late summer is typically the start of harvest season for the earliest crops, but this year the weather was so odd in July that we seem to be a little behind. As we start to harvest (and eat!) we’ll keep adding to this post to share how our crops are looking as we...

Down the Rabbit Hole of Local History Local history librarians like me usually end up being both archivists and curators of the collections we oversee. In addition to organizing and servicing collections under our watch, we are tasked with making decisions about what...

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/benfranklinsworld/308_Johnson.mp3   The story of freedom in colonial New Orleans and Louisiana pivoted on the choices black women made to retain control of their bodies, families, and futures. How did black women in colonial...

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/benfranklinsworld/307_Hattem.mp3   The story of the founding of the United States is a familiar one. It usually (but not always) begins with English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607, describes the founding and...