Calendar of Events for 2004 Boston Charter Day Celebrations - Boston On Display
The 2004 Boston Charter Days celebration extends a full week with events that appeal to all interests. As event details are confirmed, more events will be added to the list. Unless otherwise noted all events are free and open to the public.
Tuesday, September 7 (Boston Charter Day) - The Good City: Boston in the 21st Century
Paul S. Grogan, President of the Boston Foundation, will discuss themes from the recently released book “The Good City: Writers Explore 21st Century Boston,” which includes essays on Boston’s past, present and future from 15 of the city’s finest writers. Sponsored by the Massachusetts Historical Society and the Boston Foundation.
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1154 Boylston Street
Three blocks from the Hynes Convention Center/ICA
Green Line Station
Wednesday, September 8 - Free admission to the Old State House Museum
In
celebration of Boston Charter Day 2004, the Bostonian Society
is offering free admission to the Old State
House on Wednesday, September 8, 2004. Visit the
headquarters of the British government during Boston’s
colonial period, and see exhibits on the city’s
architectural and political origins. Don’t
miss our new photography exhibit in the ground floor
rotunda! This event is sponsored by the Bostonian
Society.
Old State House
Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Corner of State and Washington Streets,
Boston.
At the State Stop on the Orange and Blue
lines.
For more information,
please contact us at education@bostonhistory.org or
617- 720-1713 x 25.
Thursday, September 9 - Lecture and exhibit at the Massachusetts State Archives and Commonwealth Museum
“Boston’s
Bastion: The Founding Generation and the Massachusetts
Bay Charter”-
In 1629 King Charles I granted a charter for the
Massachusetts
Bay Company. Under the leadership of Governor John
Winthrop, it became the basis for a new government
in Massachusetts. Francis J. Bremer, Professor of
History at Millersville University of Pennsylvania
and Editor of the Winthrop Papers for the
Massachusetts Historical Society, will present an
illustrated lecture
on the origins and uniqueness of the Massachusetts
Bay Charter, the character of the Puritan founders,
and how they came to view the document as a foundation
of their rights and privileges. This event is co-sponsored
by the Massachusetts State Archives/Commonwealth
Museum and the Winthrop Society. The charter will
be on display.
5:30 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
Massachusetts State Archives/Commonwealth Museum
Columbia Point across from the John F. Kennedy
Library. Free parking is available.
Contact Stephen Kenney, Director of the
Commonwealth Museum at stephen.kenney@state.ma.us or 617-727-2816 x 204 .
Friday, September 10 - Panel discussion at the Boston Latin School
"Sumus
Primi: The Founding Generation and the "Athens
of America"- A panel discussion on
the lasting effects of the founding generation on
establishing Boston as the "Athens of America."
Panelists will discuss such topics as Is there a
spirit that
endures
through the ages, even as a community changes beyond
recognition? How is the city’s people and historic
character tied with today’s challenges? Can
a city that began as a narrow gathering of like-minded
people flourish into a teeming place of diversity
- without losing the sense of common ground essential
to any great city? What kinds of sacrifices must
Bostonians make to become the city upon a hill?
Panelists include Professor Francis J. Bremer, editor of The Winthrop Papers; Professor Thomas O'Connor, University Historian of Boston College; Lawrence DiCara of Nixon Peabody; Judy Cammack, former Mayor of Boston, England; Eve LaPlante author of American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, the Woman Who Defied the Puritans; and Professor David D. Hall of the Harvard Divinity School. Barry A. Cotton, Winthrop Society Chairman and Rev. John Cotton descendant will moderate this discussion. This event is sponsored by the Boston Latin School, the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, the Partnership of Historic Bostons, and the Winthrop Society.
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Boston Latin School Auditorium (2nd floor)
Boston Latin School
78 Avenue Louis Pasteur
The Fenway
One block away from the Longwood Green Line T
(E Line) Station
Saturday, September 11 - 374th Birthday Party at the Boston Public Library
Birthday Party featuring cake and ice cream and
various events for kids and families. This event
is sponsored by the Boston Public Library.
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Boston Public Library
The Courtyard
700 Bolyston Street - At the Copley Square T (Green
Line) and the Back Bay T (Orange Line) Stations.
Sunday, September 12 - Puritan Service and Founders Walking Tour
Founders’ Day
Gathering”- A Puritan
Service at Boston’s oldest religious institution:
The First Church in Boston, established in 1630.
Readings and psalm singing of the Puritans and recollections
of the founders of the Mass Bay Colony 
combined with
contemporary commentary, by Eve LaPlante, author
of American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne
Hutchinson, the Woman Who Defied the Puritans.
11:00 a.m. at the First & Second Church
of Boston
66 Marlborough Street
At the corner of Berkeley and
Marlborough Streets in the Back Bay.
For more information, please contact office@fscboston.org or 617-267-6730.
“Boston Founders’ Trail Walking Tour”-
The Founders' Trail Walking Tour has been created
by the Partnership of the Historic Bostons, a nonprofit
organization which celebrates the historical links
between Boston, Massachusetts, and Boston, Lincolnshire,
in England. The tour provides a glimpse of Colonial
Boston in its first few decades, spanning the short
distance from the town's center at the Town Dock
and the First Meeting House to the Boston Common
at the former edge of the town. Burying grounds and
the sites of founders' homes and institutions are
enhanced by memorials and sculptures to help participants
understand the religious and democratic values of
early Boston. A stop will be made at the Old State
House.
The tour guides will be Will Holton and Stephen Busby. Professor Will Holton is the President of the Partnership of the Historic Bostons and has made five resarch trips to Boston, England. At Northeastern University for 30 years, he teaches the popular "Sociology of Boston" course and in 1998 he published The Archive of Boston. Steve Busby is a graduate of Framingham State College with a degree in American History and Secondary Education. He taught for 12 years in the Everett Public Schools. He has been a professional tour guide in Boston since 1993 and is the Tour Manager for the Boston Stock Exchange. He is a member of the Partnership of the Historic Bostons committee.
Starting and Ending at the Boston Common Information
Booth
$15
donation
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please wear sensible shoes for walking.
At the Park Street T (Red and Green Line) Station
For more information, please contact Will Holton at w.holton@neu.edu.