Topic: Neighborhood Life
Street corner society, urban villagers, peer group society, life in the immigrant era

Immigrant NeighborhoodNeighborhood Life A black and white photograph of a middle-aged man in a coat and hat, standing against a brick wall.

The Legend of Abraham ‘Al’ Tabachnik: A Voice That Echoed Through the West End’s Streets

Abraham “Al” Tabachnik (sometimes spelled Tabachnick, Tabatchnik, or Tabarchnik) was a Russian immigrant, known both for his eccentricities and powerful voice. From the early 1920s to the early 1960s, he roamed the West End’s streets, filling them with music. Recollections of Tabachnik, found throughout West End oral histories and the West Ender Newsletter, illustrate the impact of the West End’s tight-knit community on him, and his impact on the community.

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BusinessImmigrant NeighborhoodNeighborhood LifeSocial & Religious InstitutionsUrban Renewal A brightly colored postcard showing a bustling city square with businesses and people walking.

Scollay Square

Scollay Square was a vibrant entertainment hub in Boston from the mid-19th century to the early 1960s, known for its burlesque theaters, comedy shows, boisterous bars, and eclectic mix of businesses. Located directly next to the West End at the intersection of Cambridge, Court, and Tremont streets, it attracted both locals and out-of-town visitors, including sailors, with its lively nightlife and commercial offerings. The area was demolished in 1962 as part of an urban renewal project, to be replaced by Government Center.

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ModernNeighborhood Life A group of people participate in a ribbon cutting, with a sign that says "The Last Tenement" above them.

The First Twenty Years of The West End Museum

For twenty years, The West End Museum has preserved the history of the West End and the memories of its residents, many of whom were displaced by an urban renewal project in the late 1950s which demolished their homes and destroyed their community. The journey from the time of the evictions to the opening of the Museum’s doors in 2004 was full of fits and starts, including long legal battles. In the end, the perseverance of the entire lost community, and a smaller number of its dedicated leaders, made The West End Museum a reality.

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