Historian Charlie Bahne fleshes out the historical context of the 1773 Boston Tea Party, discussing the role of tea in everyday colonial life and reexamining the event from a modern perspective.
An mp3 version of the lecture may be downloaded.
Historian Nancy S. Seasholes discusses the history of land creation and landfill projects in Boston. She looks at the social forces that led to the demand for new land, including tensions between Irish immigrants and native Bostonians.
Ken Turino, exhibitions manager for the exhibit "Cherished Possessions," examines the history of New England furniture and decorative objects and the ways in which they were preserved and handed down over time. His presentation includes slides.
Video and audio options are available.
Nancy Carlisle, curator of the exhibit "Cherished Possessions," examines the history of New England furniture and decorative arts objects and the lives of the people who owned them. Carlisle covers objects and people from the 17th to the late 20th century. Her presentation includes slides.
Historian Jayne Triber covers the military history of the Boston Harbor Islands, from colonial times to the Cold War, examining the fortifications and installations that have been built and abandoned on the islands.
Ed McCabe and Lory Newmyer of the Hull Lifesaving Museum examines Boston's past as a major shipping port and a center for the development of marine lifesaving devices and shipwreck prevention measures. They focus on the devices and procedures used by the men of the United States Life-Saving Service in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
John Quincy, Jr., 11th-generation descendent of the New England Quincy family, traces the history of the family, a dominant force in area politics (the Boston mayorage passed from Quincy father to son for several generations).
Hubie Jones, assistant to the Urban Affairs chancellor at the University of Massachusetts, provides an overview of the issue of race, and, in particular, the status of African Americans in Boston over the past 50 years.
PhD candidate Margot Minardi discusses Boston abolitionist activity, particularly its use of Revolutionary War resonances in its propaganda and oratory. The presentation includes slides.
Audio and video options are available.
Professor David W. Blight examines the character and legacy of fervent abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879). Blight looks at his private character and his public image, and how his ideals and technique might be received, used, and remembered today.
Audio and video options are available.