Special Public Program

Unveiling of the new Benjamin Robbins Curtis Plaque and a Walking Tour of the Charles River

Saturday, June 16, 2012
1:00 PM
[Rain Date: Saturday, June 23, 2012]
near the Watertown Square dock
Watertown, MA 02472

In 2010, several bronze plaques commemorating historic sites in Watertown were stolen, including the plaque dedicated to United States Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Robbins Curtis of Watertown.  The Historical Society of Watertown has replaced the missing plaque with one made of etched black granite.  Funding was provided through grants from the Watertown/Harvard and Watertown/O'Neill Properties Community Enrichment Fund and the Watertown Community Foundation Riverfront Mini-Grants Program.

After the plaque is unveiled, join Historical Society of Watertown President Marilynne Roach, Watertown Historical Commission Chair David Russo and Historical Society Councilor Joyce Kelly for a 1.5 hour walking tour focusing on the history of the Charles River in the Watertown Square area.

This program is free and open to the public.
For more information, call Joyce at 781-899-7239.

Annual Members Meeting with Election of Officers and May Public Program

Exploring Massachusetts History at the Commonwealth Museum with Director Stephen Kenney

Thursday, May 17, 2012
7:00 PM Annual Members Meeting
7:30 PM May Public Program
Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room
Watertown Free Public Library
123 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Massachusetts' proud history is second to none.  The Commonwealth Museum, at the Massachusetts Archives, displays rare national treasures, from John Winthrop's charter for the Massachusetts Bay Colony to Paul Revere's copper engraving plate depicting the Boston Massacre.  Learn about the museum's "treasures gallery" and the interactive exhibits that trace the development of rights in Massachusetts.

This meeting and program are free and open to the public.
For more information, call Joyce at 781-899-7239.

March Public Program

A Visit to Magic Art Studio and Mini Museum of Magic

Thursday, March 22, 2012
6:30 PM
Magic Art Studio
137 Spring Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Have you ever wondered what lurks behind the gated door below the Magic Art Studio sign at 137 Spring St.?  This is your chance to find out.  Raymond J. Goulet will open his shop/museum/theater for special tours for the Historical Society.  Ray has been a professional magician (as Ray Raymond) for over 40 years.  The museum, usually available only to historians of magic, collectors and magicians, has many one of a kind pieces, as well as many artifacts previously owned by great magicians.  The library is full of fascinating ephemera, including postcards, photos, programs and scrapbooks.  The theater is the regular meeting place for several groups "in the business."

Due to the crowded nature of the museum's content, tours will be limited to 7 people each.  Tours will be offered at approximately 6:40, 7:30, 7:40 and 8:10 PM.  RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.  Would-be magicians are encouraged to bring along tricks of the trade to entertain those waiting for tours.  Parking will be available in the lot at 31 Marshall St., across the street from the Fowle House.

This program is free and open to the public.
For reservations, contact Joyce at 781-899-7239 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

November Public Program

A Visit to The Plumbing Museum

Thursday, November 17, 2011
6:30 PM
The Plumbing Museum
80 Rosedale Road
Watertown, MA 02472

For over two decades, The Plumbing Museum has offered curious visitors, plumbers and other tradesmen a unique view of American history.  Founded in Worcester, MA, in 1979, the museum was relocated in 2008 to a building along the Charles River in Watertown that once served as an ice house for the Howard brothers' Metropolitan Ice Company.  The Plumbing Museum offers exhibits of artifacts, plumbing equipment, fixtures and diagrams of various plumbing technologies dating back to the 19th century.  Visitors will learn about the evolution of plumbing over the centuries and gain a new appreciation for the plumbers, engineers and inventors whose work has had such a remarkable impact on our lives.  Come experience a new kind of Americana.

This program is free and open to the public.
For more information, call Joyce at 781-899-7239.

Special Public Program

A Viewing of a DVD featuring Oral Histories by

Helen Bean
Charles Calusdian
Concenzio DelRose
Paul Menton
Joyce Munger

Project funded by the Watertown/Harvard and the Watertown/O'Neill Properties Community Enrichment Fund
Produced by Mary Spiers and the Watertown Cable Access Center

Wednesday, November 16, 2011
9:30 AM
Watertown Senior Center
31 Marshall Street
Watertown, MA 02472

If you missed the first presentation of this DVD in June, this is a chance to see it and share memories with friends and schoolmates at the Senior Center.  Come and bring a friend and/or a photo album.  Refreshments will be served.

This program is free and open to the public.

Special Public Program

A Viewing of the film Traces of the Trade:  A Story from the Deep North

Sponsored by:
World in Watertown
The Historical Society of Watertown

Thursday, November 10, 2011
6:45 PM - 8:45 PM
Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room
Watertown Free Public Library
123 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472

The award-winning documentary, Traces of the Trade:  A Story from the Deep North, explores the history and legacy of slavery from a personal point of view.  Producer/Director Katrina Browne is a descendent of the wealthiest slave-traders in U.S. history.  With nine of her cousins, she traces her family's participation in the Triangle Trade, following the route that ships traveled from slave forts in West Africa to a sugar plantation in Cuba to distilleries in Rhode Island.  This journey raises many questions about the legacy of slavery within the family, how slavery benefited the economy of the northern states and how slavery in our history affects us all today.

A discussion with James Perry, Managing Director of the Watertown-based Tracing Center on Histories and Legacies of Slavery, will follow the showing of the film.

This program is free and open to the public.
For more information, call 617-924-6143.