| 2003 "CHARTER DAY" EVENTS |
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| Frederick Law Olmsted portrayed by Gerry Wright |
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Boston Charter Day events began with a special performance of "Passages in the Life of an Unpractical Man: The Life of Frederick Law Olmstead"at the Old State House on Wednesday, September 3. This one-man play researched and written by Gerry Wright was sponsored by the Bostonian Society and the Lowell Institite. Gerry Wright, character actor of Frederick Law Olmsted, provided insights into Olmsted's life and times. Milestones in Olmsted's life, such as his efforts as an American farmer in England, his tenure as Superintendent of Central Park and landscape architect of Boston's Emerald Necklace and his groundbreaking work as Executive Secretary of Sanitary Commission during the Civil War were brought to life by Wright. The play wove comments and quotes from Olmsted's letters and papers into a seamless narrative of highlighting one of the first advocates for National Parks.
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| 2003 Panel at the Massahusetts Historical Society |
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Boston Charter Day events continued on Thursday, September 4 at the Massachusetts Historical Society where a panel discussion focused on The Boston Common and the importance of open spaces to urban neighborhoods. The Boston Common has become an iconic place in the City of Boston—a place for active and passive recreation, political and social rallies, and large civic gatherings. While the Common originated as a cow pasture and place for military exercises, it has played a little-appreciated role in the creation of the conservation movement in Massachusetts and the United States.
On September 4, 2003, six experts discussed the Boston Common’s legacy at a celebration of
Boston Boston Charter Day. Eugenie Beal of the Boston Natural Areas Network, Richard DiMino of the Artery Business Committee, William Fowler of the Massachusetts Historical Society, James Levitt of Harvard University, Laura Johnson of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Ashley Lanfer of Boston Parks 2004, and Frederick Winthrop, former state agriculture secretary for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts discussed Boston's extraordinary influence on parks and environmental history. To commemorate that legacy, the Rappaport Institute and Massachusetts Historical Society released a paper “The Palladium of the People.” This paper, written by James Levitt, has been picked up by the Harvard University Press for publication in 2005.
Although the paper will not be available until Spring 2005, a transcript of the panel discussion is available. Panelists clockwise from the left to right are William Fowler of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Charles Eucher of the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, James Levitt, author of "The Palladium of the People," Frederick Winthrop, former state agricultural secretary for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Ashley Lanfer of Boston Parks 2004 Campaign, Richard Dimino of the Artery Business Committee, Laura Johnson of the Massachusetts Audubon Society and Eugenie Beal of the Boston Natural Areas Network.
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| Boston's Birthday Cake cutting 2003 |
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| 2003 Boston Birthday cake |
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Boston celebrated its birthday on Saturday, September 6 at the Boston Public Library. Over 500 families from throughout the city joined relatives of former mayors of Boston to enjoy cake and ice cream at Boston's Birthday Party. Remarks were made by Barry Cotton of the Winthrop Society and descendant of Governor Winthrop, Charles Wells, a descendant of Charles Wells who was the Mayor of Boston from 1832 - 1833 and Richard Hynes, son of John Hynes who was Mayor of Boston from 1950 - 1960. Rev. Stephen Ayers of the Old North Church directed the participants in a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" A cake depicting the Swan Boats of the Boston Common was sliced by Boston Charter Day volunteers and Boston Public Library staff. Participants were also able to take pictures on one of the retired swan boats now installed in the library entranceway as well as sign up for library cards. The former Mayoress of Boston, Lincolnshire in England, Ms. Judy Cammack also attended with her family.
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| Increase Mather window at First Church of Boston |
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| Prof. Will Holton leads Founder's Trail Tour |
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| Old North Church circa 1910 |
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Three events were held on the traditional Charter Day of Boston. Events began at the First and Second Church in Boston with a Puritan service that featured psalm singing of the original New England Puritans as well as contemporary commentary by Prof. Francis Bremer, Professor of History at Millersville University of Pennsylvania and editor of the Winthrop Papers for the Massachusetts Historical Society. Guests included guests from Boston, Lincolnshire, members of the Partnership of the Historic Bostons, and civic leaders will participate in the service with Reverend Stephen Kendrick.
After the service, many participants attended the Founders Trail Walking Tour. This tour was sponsored by the Partnership for Historic Bostons, a nonprofit organization which celebrates the historical links between Boston, Massachusetts, and Boston, Lincolnshire, in England. The tour provided a glimpse of Colonial Boston in its first few decades, spanning the short distance from the town's center at the Town Dock and the First Meeting House to the Boston Common at the former edge of the town. Burying grounds and the sites of founders' homes and institutions are enhanced by memorials and sculptures to help participants understand the religious and democratic values of early Boston.
The tour guides were Will Holton and Stephen Busby. Professor Will Holton is the President of the Partnership of the Historic Bostons and has made five resarch trips to Boston, England. At Northeastern University for 30 years, he teaches the popular "Sociology of Boston" course and in 1998 he published The Archive of Boston. Steve Busby is a graduate of Framingham State College with a degree in American History and Secondary Education. He taught for 12 years in the Everett Public Schools. He has been a professional tour guide in Boston since 1993 and is the Tour Manager for the Boston Stock Exchange. He is a member of the Partnership of the Historic Bostons committee.
Boston Charter Day events ended with an Interfaith service at Old North Church. This event was sponsored by the Old North Church and featured a keynote speech by Nancy S. Seasholes, author and historian, on the importance of nature in the community and building. Nancy's book, Gaining Ground: A History of Landmaking in Boston focused on how Boston grew from a small penninsula to a world-class city.
A travelling exhibit was also included in the Boston Charter Day events. Created by the Partnership of Historic Bostons, the Botolph's Town Exhibit was displayed at the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Old State House, and the Boston Public Library.
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