Canton Massachusetts
Historical Society

 

 

WHAT: NEW ENGLAND HISTORY FESTIVAL

 WHEN: Saturday, November 24th, 2007

 TIME: 6:00 PM – 10: 00PM

 WHERE: Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown Street, Watertown, MA 02472

 WEB SITE: http://www.historyfestival.org

 Contact: John Horrigan 781-799-3781  

johnhorrigan@hotmail.com

 ***ALL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES WELCOME! Contact John Horrigan at 781-799-3781 for free table space to promote your organization***.

 Print out a flyer here: http://www.historyfestival.org/histposter2.jpg

 ADMISSION: $5.00 for the general public and FREE for students, senior citizens and historical society members

 Trivia, exhibits, concessions, prizes, souvenirs

 TOPICS: LOST AT SEA, BOSTON MOLASSES FLOOD, NAVAL BATTLES OF THE REVOLUTION, NEW ENGLAND’S DARK DAY

 Featuring: Michael Tougias, Stephen Puleo, Bill Rose and  John Horrigan

 The Inaugural New England History Festival will take place on Saturday, November 24th at 6:00 PM at the Hibernian Hall in Watertown.

 Come and enjoy a series of slide shows and lectures dedicated to great moments in New England History.

 Steven Puleo, whose books include “The Boston Italians” and his newest release “Due To Enemy Action”, will be speaking about his benchmark book “Dark Tide”. Puleo, who was recently awarded the prestigious 2007 I Migliori Award by the Pirandello Lyceum for his significant contribution to society, will be speaking about the Great Boston Molasses Flood. On January 15, 1919, in the midst of an unseasonably warm day, a steel tank exploded, sending a tidal wave of molasses throughout the streets of Boston’s North End. Twenty were killed and 150 injured as many homes and businesses were destroyed. As the foremost authority on this event, Stephen will be providing the most concise analysis of this disaster.

 Michael Tougias, whose books include “Ten Hours Until Dawn”, “King Philip’s War” and “Nature Walks In Eastern Massachusetts”, will be speaking about his latest book “Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival At Sea”, which recounts the exploits of two small fishing boats that were caught and decimated in a monster maelstrom. In November, 1980, the Fair Wind and Sea Fever were caught by a surprise storm off the coast of Cape Cod. The National Weather Service had erred in their forecast, and the vessels foundered in seventy-foot waves, eventually forcing their crews overboard. Come hear about their harrowing story of survival at sea for three long days and nights.

 Bill Rose, one of the most knowledgeable researchers of Revolutionary War naval battles in America today, will present his lecture “Why We Don’t Speak French – Salt Water in the American Revolution”. Rose, a very successful entrepreneur, will bring his presentation to life as he dons the uniform of a French Admiral. His examination of naval engagements in North America from 1775 – 1783 reveals how close the United States came to losing several campaigns, let alone the entire Revolutionary War. It was only providence, luck and some cunning maneuvers on the part of select Colonial  and French admirals and captains that preserved the victory.

  John Horrigan, the event’s producer, is a New England Folklorist and “pocket historian” who has lectured on historical fires, weather and astronomical events such as “The Great Hurricane of 1938”, “Winters of The Revolution”, “Earthquakes of Olde New England”, “The Great Brant Rock Fire”, “The Great Nantucket Fire” and “The Night The Stars Fell”. Horrigan will be presenting “New England’s Dark Day”. In May of 1780, an unexplained darkness fell over New England and terrified settlers and Natives.  John will read from several journals describing the frightful event and refer to other American dark days such as the “Yellow Day of 1881”, the “Year Without A Summer” in 1816 and Detroit's Dark Day of October 16th, 1762.

 Admission is $10.00 for the general public and $5.00 for seniors, students and all current members of historical societies. There will be trivia, prizes, exhibits, concessions and souvenirs. Tickets can be obtained by logging on to www.historyfestival.org

 Special Guests include: University of Massachusetts, Boston, Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History, Waltham Historical Society, Historical Society of Watertown, Community Heritage Maps, National Archives and Records Administration, The Bostonian Society

   ***ALL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES WELCOME! Contact John Horrigan at 781-799-3781 for free table space to promote your organization***.