The symposium MATHER REDUX: New perspectives on Cotton Mather culminated on Mather’s home turf this weekend in Boston’s North End. Alex Goldfeld, Board President and Historian of the North End Historical Society expertly led a tour exploring places related to the much-misunderstood cleric, physician and philosopher. Sites included the corner of Richmond and North Streets Read More…
Nothing New Under the Sun. Some legislation isn’t easy, on Beacon Hill or in Washington. The Italian News reported on Feb. 17, 1956, that 118 legislators backed a bill to make Columbus Day a legal holiday in Massachusetts, to be celebrated on October 12. Hearings on the bill, held by the Committee on Constitutional Law, Read More…
It is the end of an era in Boston’s North End with this week’s closing of Ida’s Italian Cuisine on Mechanic Street. Its iconic neon sign no glows on Hanover Street and a sign on the door announces the closing by owners Paul and Donna Bruno. Paul’s mother, Luisa, did most of the cooking along Read More…
After a longer than anticipated hiatus, the Paul Revere Memorial Association has begun the final work on its proposed Education and Visitor Center in the building at 5/6 Lathrop Place. From North Square, where visitors enter the Paul Revere House, you can hardly tell that anything is going on which is perfect as the House Read More…
Not only is nothing new under the North End sun, it can apply today to Washington. Despite tremendous demand from a long list of immigration reform organizations, anti-discrimination associations and “ethnic” groups, the U.S. House of Representatives in August 1956 took no action to amend the racist McCarran-Walter immigration law. This law established national immigration Read More…
As the Fall leaf-peeking tourist season peaks in New England, there has been some confusion regarding which of Boston’s historic sites are impacted by the government shutdown. Historic North End sites such as the Old North Church, Paul Revere House and Copp’s Hill Burying Ground remain open. National Park Service and US Navy sites are Read More…
by Nicholas Dello Russo This picture of Hotel Rome in North Square is from around 1900 and calls to mind some interesting local history. In the lower left hand corner you can see the Stabile Bank which was a prominent Italian American bank with branches in the North End and Mulberry St. New York. The Read More…
Following up with Anthony Martignetti, the Boston Globe asks why the new Prince Spaghetti commercial has a new actor instead of the original Anthony! Martignetti says he doesn’t want to sound bitter, but being asked why he’s not in the new commercial has become as common as hearing people yell his name. “Why couldn’t they Read More…
The West End Museum presents a new exhibit that revisits 19th century’s most infamous murder, trial & execution. The 1849 murder of George Parkman in Boston stands as the most sensational case of its time, and the prosecution of John Webster is often described as the O.J. Simpson trial of the 19th century. This case Read More…
An editorial story from The Italian News, January 15, 1954 is shown below, disparaging the concept of parking on the roof of the Brink’s Garage at 600 Commercial Street. The opposition to increased traffic to be caused by expanding parking to the roof of Brink’s Garage is similar to questions now raised about the three Read More…
Here is a story from The Italian News, Oct. 20, 1953 == almost 60 years ago. This was when construction of the Central Artery was underway. The last paragraph of the story is cut off, but tells it all: Meanwhile, the traffic and parking situation in the area gets no better, with North End businessmen Read More…
The restoration of the iron work fence at Copp’s Hill Burying Ground continues this Fall with the woven steel and distinctive pieces now at Adamark Coatings in East Boston for blasting and refinishing. Mark Kochanski is one of the folks working on the project and he shares these close up photos of the iron fence Read More…