NEW ENGLAND HISTORY FESTIVAL DETAILS


The Inaugural New England History Festival will take place on Saturday, November 24th at 6:00 PM at the Hibernian Hall in Watertown, Massachusetts, located on 151 Watertown Street.

Come and enjoy a series of slide shows and lectures dedicated to great moments in New England History.

The speakers will include author STEPHEN PULEO, whose books include “The Boston Italians” and his newest release “Due To Enemy Action”, will be speaking about his benchmark book Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919. Puleo, who was recently awarded the prestigious 2007 I Migliori Award by the Pirandello Lyceum for his significant contribution to society, will be speaking about the Great Boston Molasses Flood. On January 15, 1919, in the midst of an unseasonably warm day, a steel tank exploded, sending a tidal wave of molasses throughout the streets of Boston’s North End. 20 people were killed and 150 injured as many homes and businesses were destroyed. As the foremost authority on this event, Stephen will be providing the most concise analysis of this disaster.

MICHAEL TOUGIAS, whose books include “Ten Hours Until Dawn”, “King Philip’s War” and “Nature Walks In Eastern Massachusetts”, will be speaking about his latest book Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival At Sea, which recounts the exploits of two small fishing boats that were caught and decimated in a monster maelstrom. In November, 1980, the Fair Wind and Sea Fever were caught by a surprise storm off the coast of Cape Cod. The National Weather Service had erred in their forecast, and the vessels foundered in seventy-foot waves, eventually forcing their crews overboard. Come hear about their harrowing story of survival at sea for three long days and nights.

BILL ROSE, who possesses a marvelous grasp on the history of the American Revolution, will be speaking about Salt Water In The American Revolution: Why We Don't Speak French. Rose, a very successful entrepreneur, will bring his presentation to life as he dons the uniform of a French Admiral. His examination of global naval military engagements from 1775 – 1783 reveals how close the United States came to losing several campaigns, let alone the entire Revolutionary War. It was only providence, luck and some cunning maneuvers on the part of select Colonial and French admirals and captains that preserved the victory.

JOHN HORRIGAN, the event’s producer, is a New England Folklorist and “pocket historian” who has lectured on historical fires, historical weather and historical astronomical events such as “The Great Hurricane of 1938”, “Winters of The Revolution”, “Earthquakes of Olde New England”, “The Great Brant Rock Fire”, “The Great Nantucket Fire” and “The Night The Stars Fell”. Horrigan will be presenting New England's Dark Day: May 19th, 1780. In May of 1780, an unexplained darkness fell over New England and terrified settlers and Natives. John will read from several journals describing the frightful event and refer to other American dark days such as the “Yellow Day of 1881”, the “Year Without A Summer” in 1816 and Detroit's Dark Day of October 16th, 1762.

D. MICHAEL RYAN, currently a Park Ranger for the Minuteman National Historic Park, is a former Associate Dean of Students at Boston College (for over 30 years), is a decorated war veteran and multi-talented author, gifted musician, lecturer, esteemed historian, genealogist and versatile re-enactor. He is widely recognized as one of the most knowledgeable and interactive historical researchers in regard to the American Revolution living in New England today. Mike, who is a member of over a dozen historical societies and re-enactor militia groups, will be signing his new book Concord and the Dawn of Revolution: The Hidden Truths.

MARILYNNE ROACH, whose has authored several books, has penned what many consider to be the definitive work on the Salem Witch Trials entitled The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege, will be on hand for a book signing.


Admission is $10.00 for the general public and $5.00 for seniors, students and all current members of historical societies (with proper ID). There will be trivia, prizes, exhibits, concessions and souvenirs. Tickets can be obtained by logging on to www.historyfestival.org and using PAYPAL, or by emailing historicalweather@hotmail.com or by calling (781) 799-3781 or by sending a check made out to:

John Horrigan

P.O. Box 145

Watertown, MA 02471


If you are a historical society, civic organization or vendor and would like free table space, call (781) 799-3781.


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