History Posts Howard Johnson's Quincy Businesses Uncategorized
September 6, 2024

Quincy Youth Corps 2024 Series: The Glorious Days of Howard Johnson’s

This essay was written for the 2024 Summer Youth Corps internship program. This City-run program partners cultural institutions around Quincy with historically curious students from the public high schools for six weeks over the summer. At Quincy Historical Society our student interns are tasked with selecting a topic from Quincy history to research and present in a short essay. This essay was written by Helen Cao, a student from North Quincy High School. We hope you enjoy it!

History Posts Revolutionary History The Adamses
August 20, 2024

John Adams’ Role In Framing The Massachusetts Constitution: An Arduous Yet Fascinating Process

This article was written by William Cunniff Jr., an archival intern with Quincy Historical Society during the summer of 2024. He is a recent graduate of Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree. During his tenure with the Historical Society, he decided that he wanted to contribute an article for the blog. He decided to focus on John Adams’ contributions to the Massachusetts State Constitution.

History Posts Revolutionary History The Adamses
July 5, 2024

A Tale of Two Busts: The Later Friendship of John Adams & Thomas Jefferson

“Thomas Jefferson always reminded me of my great-grandmother.

When I was younger, she had a house overflowing with dolls. Jefferson was also a collector of faces, though they were more of the sculptural variety, and his motive for such an assortment of figures differed greatly from hers.

It was with a few starting busts that Jefferson began a collection that would span his entire lifetime, fueled by pride, comradery, and even animosity. This assortment would come to be known as Jefferson’s “gallery of worthies.” There is one bust amongst these figures that covers the full range of motivations; a portrayal of John Adams whose history and involvement in Jefferson’s home and life lives on, recorded in everlasting marble.”

Biographies Quincy Artists Quincy Teachers
February 22, 2023

Celestine Dorch: Artist, Educator, Pioneer

“She knew what she wanted. She knew how she wanted to live her life. She loved teaching and spoke highly of her students. She believed in being happy, never complained or felt sorry for herself.”

The remarkable life of Celestine Dorch Howard — award-winning artist, and the first African American teacher at Quincy Public Schools.

Architecture Historic Buildings The Society
November 9, 2022

Adams Academy Sesquincentennial

“Adams Academy, the architectural gem at the corner of Adams and Hancock Streets, turns 150 years old in 2022. With recent renovations completed, Quincy boasts one of the finest 19th century buildings in the country. In addition to the sesquicentennial of the Academy, we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of John Adams’ donation of the land “for a Greek and Latin School or Academy.” To round out the triple play of anniversaries, the Adams Academy became the home of Quincy Historical Society in 1972, making this our 50th anniversary of occupancy.”

History Posts Quincy Businesses
July 7, 2021

The Eng Family and the King Joy Restaurant, Part 1: Quincy’s First Successful Chinese Restaurant

“Over the first half of the 20th century, the Eng family restaurant was one of Quincy’s only dining establishments serving Asian cuisine. It was also the most successful Asian restaurant of its era. That alone would be reason enough to mark the Eng family restaurant as of historical significance in Quincy. But the family behind the restaurant were also notable on an individual level for their accomplishments and service to the community.”

Featured image: The King Joy Restaurant ca. 1932, located on Chestnut Street.

History Posts Revolutionary History
November 30, 2020

The Boston Massacre Trials at 250: Two Men from Quincy Galvanize an American Debate

In 2020 we marked the 250th anniversary of the Boston Massacre and its Trials. These events are some of the most complex in the history of the Revolution, especially in terms of how it is remembered today. The debate surrounding these events began in the moments after the shots were fired, but how it is viewed today was heavily guided by the contributions of two young lawyers hailing from the area now known as Quincy: John Adams and Josiah Quincy Jr.