Foxborough Historical Society,
Foxborough Mass, USA

Programs 2004 -2005

Past Program

Tuesday, March 22 , 2005

Stephen Puleo spoke regarding Boston's tragic molasses flood of 1919.

Stephen Puleo is author of "Dark tide: the great Boston molasses flood of 1919." In this 2003 book, Puleo set out to determine whether the collapse of a molasses tank in Boston's North End, which sent an incredible tidal wave of 2.3 million gallons of the sticky liquid throughout the area – killing 21 people – was the work of Italian anarchists or due to negligence by the tank's owner.

You will be surprised at his answers, also the new facts he unearthed in the course of his original research.

Through meticulous examination of court records, Puleo gets into the minds of the major players in the disaster -- victims, witnesses, North End residents, politicians and of course the owners of the tank. In this talk Puleo re-creates not only the flood scene but also the social, political and economic environment of the era that made the molasses disaster more than just a freak industrial accident.

In addition to examining the tank's collapse and its aftermath, Puleo provides fascinating tidbits about Boston's and America's history, such as the importance of molasses to U.S. war efforts up to and including World War I. Puleo uses these details to put the molasses tank collapse into the context of a complex time in American history.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of this tale is the timeliness of the topics it touches on. Describing Americans being persecuted because of their ethnicity, a sagging economy boosted by war, and terrorism on U.S. soil that results in anti-immigration laws and deportations, Puleo could be speaking about more recent times.

Overall, this month's presentation provides a little-known but fascinating piece in the jigsaw puzzle that is our area's long and rich history.

Stephen Puleo is also a contributor to American History Magazine.

Numerous websites have been devoted to this topic.

Copies of Stephen Puleo's "Dark Tide" in paperback will be available for purchase at $10 each. Mr. Puleo will be happy to sign books after his presentation.

Refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

Tuesday, April 26 , 2005, at 7:30 pm, in the Boyden Library - The Shakers of Canterbury, NY, Speaker Michael French

February 2005 - "Ames Shovel Industry"

January 2005 - "Making Cooking Easy with Old Colony Stoves" (illustrated talk by Jane Emack-Cambra)

December 2004 - "Dr. Joseph Warren (Reinactment)

The first yearly scholarship of $2,000 was awarded to a resident of Foxborough who has completed his or her college freshman year in an accredited degree program and is pursuing a degree with a major or with significant emphasis in history. The award is intended to assist with the student's college sophomore year expenses and is renewable for the junior and senior college years based upon continued acceptable academic performance. Application forms for this scholarship are available at the Boyden Library and at the Foxborough Town Hall on South Street. To be eligible for consideration, completed application forms must be submitted to the Foxborough Historical Society, Inc., P. O. Box 450, Foxborough, MA 02035 by June 15th, with copies of the applicant's freshman year grades. Prospective applicants may call 508-543-3728 for further information.