A History of Boston

Adams Academy 8 Adams Street, Quincy, Massachusetts

Far from being your standard Boston history, Dain’s book explores the whys of Boston – why it was founded on a small hilly peninsula, why it has been at the center of America’s intellectual movements for centuries, why the city has gone through the transformations that it has, why Boston is the “Hub of the Universe.” His book also takes a “holistic” approach to Boston history, incorporating the ways in which Boston has influenced its satellite communities (some as far away as Quebec), and vice versa.
In the lead-up to Quincy’s 400th anniversary celebrations, understanding the history of Quincy’s big sister across the Neponset is a great foundation for understanding Quincy’s own history.
This event is open to all and free to attend. A book signing will follow the program.
Daniel Dain is the founder and president of the law firm Dain Torpy, where he chairs the firm’s real estate litigation practice. He writes and lectures widely on land-use law and urban planning.

“Birdmen Over Boston Harbor: The 1910 Harvard-Boston Aero Meet” Live Presentation & Book Signing with author Wayne Miller

Adams Academy 8 Adams Street, Quincy, Massachusetts

As the inaugural event of our celebration of Quincy400, Quincy Historical Society will debut a new book and a presentation by local historian Wayne Miller on the legendary 1910 Harvard-Boston Aeromeet held at Squantum. This event will take place on Thursday, March 6th, at 7pm, at the Adams Academy, 8 Adams Street. The 1910 Harvard-Boston Aero Meet came at a historically significant moment in time when almost no one in New England had seen or heard an aeroplane in flight. This unprecedented phenomenon created an explosion of enthusiasm. An estimated one million people either paid to see the spectacle or found free viewing points along beaches in Dorchester, South Boston, and Quincy. For two weeks many of the biggest stars in aviation—known at the time as “Birdmen”-- thrilled with daredevil stunts while setting American and World’s records. In his book, the first comprehensive of history, Miller sets the record straight about the importance and many of the details of the 1910 Harvard-Boston Aeromeet. His presentation will take the audience through this amazing story and share some of the book’s eighty exclusive photographs. Wayne Miller is the author of Quincy Massachusetts: A Shipbuilding Tradition and Fore River Shipyard, and the co-author […]

Free

“Birdmen Over Boston Harbor: The 1910 Harvard-Boston Aero Meet” Live Presentation & Book Signing with author Wayne Miller

Adams Academy 8 Adams Street, Quincy, Massachusetts

By popular demand Quincy Historical Society is pleased to offer a reprisal of our March 6th event debuting a new book by local historian Wayne G. Miller on the legendary 1910 Harvard-Boston Aero Meet held at Squantum.

The 1910 Harvard-Boston Aero Meet came at a historically significant moment in time when almost no one in New England had seen or heard an aeroplane in flight. This unprecedented phenomenon created an explosion of enthusiasm. An estimated one million people either paid to see the spectacle or found free viewing points along beaches in Dorchester, South Boston, and Quincy. For two weeks many of the biggest stars in aviation—known at the time as “Birdmen”-- thrilled with daredevil stunts while setting American and World records.

In his book, the first comprehensive of history, Miller sets the record straight about the importance and many of the details of the 1910 Harvard-Boston Aeromeet. His presentation will take the audience through this amazing story and share some of the book’s eighty exclusive photographs.

Profiles in Courage: Anne Hutchinson

Adams Academy 8 Adams Street, Quincy, Massachusetts

In 1636 the Massachusetts Bay Colony faced its first existential crisis. At its heart stood a woman, Anne Marbury Hutchinson – the daughter of a minister, and an outspoken religious leader in her own right. When two political forces vied for dominance over the young colony, Hutchinson faced a question of moral integrity – denounce her beliefs and remain a respected and wealthy member of her community or hold fast to her truths and lose everything.

On Wednesday, May 21st, at 7pm at the Adams Academy, Quincy Historical Society will host a special screening of the 1965 television series "Profiles in Courage" with an episode highlighting the infamous trial of Anne Hutchinson whose ties to Quincy’s early Mount Wollaston settlement run deep.

Free

A State of Rebellion, Part II: Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill

Adams Academy 8 Adams Street, Quincy, Massachusetts

Quincy Historical Society will host the second part of a program exploring life in Braintree during the first pivotal months of the American Revolution. The City of Quincy’s Historic Heritage and Resource Manager Bob Damon, and Quincy Historical Society’s Executive Director Emeritus Ed Fitzgerald, will be joined by Emerson College’s Dr. Kerima Lewis to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Drawing from newly compiled archival records, this program will follow local commanders and their men from the April 19th alarm to their deployments as Braintree’s “eight-months” companies at Prospect Hill and Fort No. 2 and their participation in the preparations for the Battle of Bunker Hill. The presentation will also uncover lesser-known events and examine the deep tensions within the town. With vivid eyewitness accounts this program offers a richly detailed portrait of a Massachusetts coastal community at war.

This event, part of the Historical Society’s ongoing celebrations of Quincy400, is open to all and free to attend.