History
Organizational category for all historical articles
Maria Weston Chapman The Boston-based anti-slavery activist, Maria Weston Chapman (1806-1885), was a leading voice in the abolitionist cause and an advocate for women’s participation. As both a dedicated abolitionist and family woman, “Captain” Chapman as she was known, pushed hard for what she believed in. As a founding member of the Boston Female Anti-Slavery…
Repurposed Churches and Schools in the South EndA case study on housing in a changing neighborhood As neighborhood demographics have changed in the South End, public buildings and the communities they once served have relocated. Those churches and schools have mostly been preserved in the form of condominiums. However, these units are often high priced…
Mickey Redstone Mickey Redstone was the father of Sumner Redstone and a media conglomerate. He started his career in entertainment owning nightclubs before rising to prominence as the head of a national theatre exhibition company. Redstone was raised in the West End by immigrant parents and his early Boston experiences helped fuel the canny business…
The Yellow House at 3 Smith Court One of the few remaining wooden structures on Beacon Hill, the long and narrow house at 3 Smith Court now stands opposite to the Museum of African American History. Over two centuries, the house has been the home to titans of the abolition movement and witnessed a constantly…
The Thriving Jewish Marketplace of Boston’s Old West End Part Two: Deli Meats to Kosher Eats This article is the third part of a series exploring Jewish life in the Old West End. This second part in our business series describes the many options for West Enders to purchase Jewish foods. Bakeries, delis, kosher butchers,…
South Enders vs. The B.R.A.: Urban Renewal in Boston’s South End In post-war Boston, city officials razed several low-income neighborhoods for urban renewal. Among those neighborhoods was the South End, a low-income yet culturally rich area. The story of community resistance to urban renewal in the South End included small victories. But the South End…
The Omnibus: Boston’s First Horse-Powered Public Transit System Boston established its first form of urban public transit—a large horse-drawn carriage known as the omnibus – in 1833. The omnibus was an early step in the creation of Boston’s public transportation system. With lines crossing the West End, and a hub on Brattle Street, the omnibus…
The Thriving Jewish Marketplace of the Old West End Part One: Peddler to Proprietor This article is the second part of a series exploring Jewish life in the Old West End. The first part explored the synagogue life in the neighborhood. This introduction to Jewish businesses in the West End explains the economic path many…
