All posts by Sara Lundberg

Town Meetings in the Northwest Precinct of Cambridge, 1736-1795

August 30, 2017Blog, Uncategorized18th century, Arlington, Arlington Historical Society, Arlington History, history, Jason Russell House, meetinghouse, Menotomy, parish church, residents, town meetings, town warrants, West CambridgeSara Lundberg

One of the earliest and purest forms of Democracy in the United States took place at “town meetings”- a practice established in Massachusetts and distinct to the New England region. Unlike in our present-day use of “town halls”, qualified residents had the opportunity to not only discuss matters particular to their communities, but to actively … Continue reading Town Meetings in the Northwest Precinct of Cambridge, 1736-1795 →

Moxie: “It’s a drink for those who are at all particular”

June 27, 2017BlogArlington, Beverages, Dr. Augustin Thompson, Francis Thompson, freeman young, Maine, medicinal, moxie, Soda, soft drinks, Ted WilliamsSara Lundberg

It’s the official soft drink of Maine, but Moxie has Arlington connections. Moxie’s originator, Dr. Augustin Thompson (1835-1903), came from Union, Maine and set up his medical practice in Lowell, MA. He wanted to create a “cure-all” medicinal tonic. Using a “secret ingredient”, later known to be gentian root extract, he created a syrup called … Continue reading Moxie: “It’s a drink for those who are at all particular” →

Commemorative Plates

May 18, 2017Blog20th century, Arlington, Arlington History, Arlington places, Arlington Town Hall, ceramics, commemorative, Cyrus Dallin, Cyrus E. Dallin, history, Indian Hunter, mementos, Menotomy, plates, souvenir, transferware, West CambridgeSara Lundberg

Ceramic objects in the AHS collection span centuries while telling local stories. Of these ceramics, several plates uniquely celebrate and document Arlington history. These pieces are known as commemorative or souvenir plates. Popularized toward the end of the 19th century, plates of this kind were relatively cheap to produce and a novel way to memorialize … Continue reading Commemorative Plates →

Ballad of the War of 1812

May 16, 2017Blog19th century, 20th century, Arlington Historical Society, Arlington History, Ball gown, Elizabeth Smith, Hannah Hall Cutter, history, Nina Winn, plays, poems, Red Cross, Richard A. Duffy, Robbins Sisters, Smith Museum, Susanna Adams Winn, Textiles, War of 1812, West Cambridge, Winn Family, World War 1, World War ISara Lundberg

On Tuesday, April 24, 1917, Nina Winn wrote about attending a Historical Society event in which “Aunt Sue read a poem & Elizabeth Smith wore the ball dress she wrote of – made by Hannah Hall [later Mrs. Cyrus Cutter] & given by Mrs. Sterling & Mrs. Bates. Then the ‘[Old] Peabody Pew’ was presented and … Continue reading Ballad of the War of 1812 →

Social Media in the Age of Newspapers

May 26, 2016UncategorizedSara Lundberg

In the age of social media it is easy to believe that we get caught up in the social tidbits of the lives of others. Perhaps that is true but it certainly did not begin with the invention of Facebook. Long before the internet personal interest pieces were heavily circulated in local and national newspapers. … Continue reading Social Media in the Age of Newspapers →

A Kitchen with a Polka Dot Ceiling

July 29, 2015BlogSara Lundberg

A Kitchen with a Polka Dot Ceiling Visitors to the Jason Russell House often want to learn about the terrible battle that occurred there on April 19, 1775, and to scrutinize the musket ball holes still evident in some walls and the hall stair risers. But when they enter … Continue reading A Kitchen with a Polka Dot Ceiling →

My Experience as a Tour Guide at the Jason Russell House

July 1, 2015Blog1775, Adams clock, Amos Whittemore, Ann Adams, April 19, Arlington History, blanket chest, ceiling, communion silver, Cooper's Tavern, Deacon Adams, Elizabeth Russell, events, Jason Russell, Jason Russell House, Jonathan Harrington, Menotomy, Minutemen, old men of Menotomy, Regulars, retreat, rolling pin, Samuel Whittemore, secret compartment, spinning wheel, Thomas Russell store, Tour, Tour guides, tourists, Visitors, Winship & WymanSara Lundberg

This is a guest post from Colleen Cunningham, one of our most experienced tour guides at the Jason Russell House. She talks about why she enjoys showing visitors around the house. Entertaining Jason Russell House visitors with stories of life in Menotomy (as Arlington was then called) is the most fun part of being a … Continue reading My Experience as a Tour Guide at the Jason Russell House →

Tornadoes In Arlington

June 24, 2015Blog19th century, Arlington History, bell, Charles S. Parker, church, events, First Parish Church, Grove Street, High Street, Main Street, Massachusetts Avenue, Mill Street, Orthodox Congregational Church, Pleasant Street, Russell Street, spire, stereographs, stereoscopic views, Thomas J. Russell, tornado, tornadoes, weather, William E. ParmenterSara Lundberg

On Tuesday, June 24, 2015 Arlington residents were under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. Luckily the time passed without incident. There were at least two destructive tornadoes in 19th century Arlington; one in 1851 and another in 1871. Both tornadoes happened on hot August days. The 1851 tornado is described as more severe, and … Continue reading Tornadoes In Arlington →