BOSTON CHARTER DAY . ORG

IN COMMEMORATION OF THE FOUNDING OF BOSTON ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1630

 

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CHARTER DAY 2008

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Notice:  Saturday's  10 am Boston Harbor Islands Boat Tour was CANCELLED due to Tropical Storm Hanna weather conditions!!!

Program at Boston Public Library , The Massachuset People, will be held as scheduled at 2 pm.
2008
BOSTON CHARTER DAY
September 4 - 7

 

The Story of The Massachuseuk
In The Time Before Now

Presented by

The Partnership of the Historic Bostons, Inc.
and
The Massachuset-Ponkapoag Tribal Council
 


This program is funded in part by the
 Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities,
which receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. 
http://www.masshumanities.org

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Click below for printable 2008 Charter Day Brochure
Document
2008 Charter Day Program		Document
2008 Charter Day Program

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Boston Charter Day Events
Thursday - September 4th
Native People's Shelter (WETU)
Native American Life Diorama
Colonial NE Native Peoplpe's WETUs
“In The Time Before Now:
Stories of the Massachuset People”
Presentation
Boston Public Library
Feather-on-the-Moon, Sachem Gill Solomon of the Massachuset-Ponkapoag Tribal Council will tell stories of the creation of the earth, the Native people’s relationship with nature, the traditional ways of life, and the concepts of spirituality.
7:00 - 8:00 p.m., Program –- The Abbey Room
Boston Public Library, Copley Square, Boylston St. *
Contact: 617-536-5400

“Native Americans in the Time Before Now:
Perceptions from Boston and Beyond”
Exhibit
Boston Public Library
Opening of a special exhibit of perceptions of native American people in the time before now. A display of relevant objects, reproductions, photographs and documents selected to present perceptions that span the 17th to 20th centuries. This exhibit will be open to the public for the month of September during normal Library hours of operation.
5:30 p.m., Reception – Boston Room
Boston Public Library, Copley Square, Boylston St. *
Contact: 617-536-5400
 
A Sachem Speaks…

In Native understanding of our place in the universe, there is no concept of linear time. Many Native storytellers begin with the words, “In a time before the present…” indicating that the story could have happened 5,000 years ago or just a few days prior. We exist in all time, spiritually and physically. We do not see in archaeological time. All time is the same.

The fish that was caught this year is no different from the fish that was caught last year. It is the same fish, living out its dramas just as we do. Our people live with the earth, not upon it. Harvesting fish was a major activity of community life. The fish were honored for their part in the cycle of life. At the proper time, the fish would return to us, and this was a time of celebration and thanks. As Native people to this land, we live with the earth and all of its animal people. We celebrate all creatures. And in the present day of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we are still here!
–– Gill Solomon
Nanepashmequin (Feather-on-the-Moon)
Sachem to the Massachuseuk People
Read our story at:
http://users.aol.com/neponsett/ponkapoag.html
 
Friday - September 5th
Commonwealth Museum, Charter Day 2007 - Stephen Kenney, Director
Commonwealth Museum, Charter Day 2007 - Mayor Michael Brookes
     
“Perspectives of the Early Colonial Period of the
Massachusetts Bay Colony”

The Commonwealth Museum

Various aspects of life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony will be presented as viewed by two different cultures.  To understand better the existence of these two very different cultures in the 17th century, Native American and English perspectives will be presented.
Feather-on-the-Moon, Sachem Gill Solomon of the Massachuset-Ponkapoag Tribal Council will present Native perspectives.
Professor William Fowler of Northeastern University will present English perspectives.
6:00 p.m. Reception and Exhibit
7:00 p.m., Presentation
The Commonwealth Museum, 230 Morrissey Blvd**
Contact: 617-727-9268
Saturday - September 6th
A Lamenting to the Creator on Deer Island
Carved Ship's Figurehead of Native American
CANCELLED due to weather conditions !!
Boston Harbor Islands
Boat Tour of Native American Legacies

The Boston Harbor Association

Join The Boston Harbor Association and Sachem Feather-on-the-Moon
 who will present a narration about Native American legacies during
 a boat tour of Boston Harbor Islands once occupied by Native people.
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Weather permitting
leaves from Rowes Wharf ***
Free - Reservations are required before September 3rd.
Contact: 617-482-1722 or email: mail@tbha.org
Starting a Fishweir, Boston Common 2006
Boston Common Fishweir Project 2008
The Massachuset People

Boston Public Library

Members of the Massachuset-Ponkapoag Tribal Council will present workshops on the culture, customs, and life of the Native people in the time before now.  Each workshop session will be presented twice starting at the times indicted below.  It will be possible for a person to attend three of these workshops.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Boston Public Library – Rooms will be posted.

At 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
“Living in Two Worlds” – Feather-on-the-Moon

At 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.
“The Massachuseuk Language” – Sleeping Beaver & Dreaming Bear

At 3:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
“A Living Spirituality of Balance, Well-being, and Healing” – Nanuwetta Ren Green, Medicine Woman for the Massachuseuk People

At 3:00 p.m.
“Two Worlds – A Youth’s Perspective” – WildWolf & SwiftRunner

Boston Public Library*
Contact: 617-536-5400
Sunday - September 7th
First Church in Boston at Marlborough St.
John Eliot & "Praying Indians"
Charter Day Sabbath Gathering

The First Church in Boston

An Interdenominational Service at Boston's oldest religious institution established in 1630. The Reverend Stephen Kendrick will speak on
“Lost in Translation:
John Eliot, Administering to Two Cultures”
 Broadcast live on WERS 88.9 FM
and online at www.wers.org/listen/ 
A weekly broadcast service of Emerson College
11:00 a.m. - Noon
The First Church in Boston
Reverend Stephen Kendrick, Senior Minister
66 Marlborough Street
Corner of Berkeley and Marlborough Streets ****
Contact: 617-267-6730
Brian LeMay, Director The Bostonian Society & The Worshipful The Mayor Michael Brookes Charter Day 2008
Boston Public Library Charter Day 2005 [click to enlarge]
Boston Lincolnshire Guildhall Court Rail [click to enlarge]
Boston Public Library Missing Piece of Guildhall Railing [click to enlarge]
Boston’s 378th Birthday Party

The Bostonian Society

The Birthday Party of Boston is celebrated each year to commemorate the naming of the Town of Boston.
Event for children and families; refreshments
Special Museum activities for children
2:00 p.m.
The Old State House *****
Contact: 617-720-1713, Ext. 27

Old State House Museum
The Bostonian Society

Free admission for Massachusetts residents to the 1713 Old State House and the Boston Historical Society Museum in celebration of Charter Day 2007.  Visit the headquarters of the British government during Boston's colonial period and see exhibits depicting the city's Revolutionary history.
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
On the Founders Trail at the Old State House on the corner of State and Washington Streets *****
Contact: 617-720-1713, Ext. 27
     
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Public Transportation Information

* Copley Station on the Green Line, Back Bay Station on the Orange Line and Commuter Rail
** Red Line to JFK/UMASS Station, shuttle bus to UMassB, Free Parking available at Massachusetts Archives
*** Red line to South Station or Blue line to Aquarium Station, walk to Rowes Wharf
**** Arlington Street Station on the Green Line
***** Government Center on the Green or Blue Line or State Street on the Orange or Blue Line
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The pronunciation by the native people was


Massachuseuk  


The English interpretation was corrupted to


Massachuset  


The place is now the Commonwealth of


Massachusetts

September 7 marks the 378th anniversary of Boston's creation as a formal; political entity.  In 1630, the town of Trimountaine was renamed Boston and declared the capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.  Boston Charter Day - an annual celebration of Boston's founding - highlights the civic spirit, longstanding institutions, and first-class cultural and intellectual life in Boston.  The 2008 Boston Charter Day Events are presented and coordinated by
The Partnership of the Historic Bostons, Inc.
and
The Massachuset-Ponkapoag Tribal Council.
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CLICK BELOW FOR 2008 BOSTON CHARTER DAY READING RECOMMENDATIONS
Document
2008 READING LIST (revised)
Document
2008 READING LIST
Click here to contact us at:
phbostons@gmail.com


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In the Time After Now
Future Events

Sunday, September 14, 2008
“Walking Tour of John Eliot’s Natick”
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Natick Historical Society and Museum
58 Eliot Street, Natick, MA 01760
Contact: 508-647-4841
Contact: www.natickhistory.org

Saturday, October 4, 2008
“Rediscovering the Two Worlds of 17th Century Boston: Native and Newcomer”
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
New England Historic Genealogical Society
101 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
Contact: 617-536-5740
Contact: www.NewEnglandAncestors.org

Saturday, October 4, 2008
“Indians of Winnisimmet”
Governor Bellingham-Cary House
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Governor Bellingham-Cary House Association
Chelsea Historical Society
34 Parker Street, Chelsea, MA 02150
Contact: 781-307-0137
Contact: www.olgp.net/caryhouse

Saturday, October 18, 2008
“Hale Reservation Brings the Past to Life”
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. “A Walk in Time”
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. “Stone Tool Making”
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. “Show & Tell”
Hale Reservation
80 Carby Street, Westwood, MA 02090
Pre-registration required
Contact: 781-326-1770 ext. 10
Contact: www.HaleReservation.org


September 4 thru 30, 2008
“Special Display of Rare Books and Documents relating to 17th century Native Americans”
Boston Public Library – Rare Book Room
Copley Square, Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116
Contact: 617-536-5400


September thru October, 2008
“Special Display of Rare Books and Documents relating to 17th century Native Americans”
The Boston Athenaeum
101/2 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108
Contact: 617-227-0270 or
Contact: www.bostonathenaeum.org


June 8 thru September 14, 2008
“Reproduction of 17th Century Cottage
with Exhibit about local Native People”
The Peak House
Sundays only 2-5 p.m.
Medfield Historical Society
Rte 109 at Pound and South Streets
Medfield, MA 02052
Contact: 508-359-4773
Contact: www.medfieldhistoricalsociety.org


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Visit us at our web site:
www.historicbostons.com
or email us at:
phbostons@gmail.com



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