The city of Lawrence was created in the mid-19th century as a planned mill town. The Essex Company created a dam and canals for the sole purpose of bringing textile mills and workers to the area. The Company designed the layout of the town, including where the boarding houses and churches would be located. The city grew exponentially in the subsequent decades, as the Arlington Mills, Wood Mill, and many other companies were established. Immigrants came to the city and built their own churches and businesses, and the city thrived. However, by the 1950s the mills were leaving the city for the south, where labor was cheaper. In an attempt to revitalize the city, several urban renewal projects were developed. Many buildings, some old and dilapidated, were torn down and space was made for new businesses. Due to this history, Lawrence has been of extreme interest to regional planners and landscape architects.
On February 26th archivist Jennifer Williams and Simmons intern Veronica Denison attended the monthly meeting of the Exchange Club of Lawrence. During the meeting they made a presentation not only concerning the history of the city, but also the work currently being completed at the Lawrence History Center. Williams spoke first about some of the events that have taken place in Lawrence that were of regional and national importance, and was followed by Denison, who spoke about the history of immigration in the city. The audience was very lively and engaged, making jokes about each other and laughing about the former quarrels between the different ethnic groups. They were also very interested in what Williams had to say about the Lawrence History Center. Indeed, several members expressed an interest in visiting the LHC and making donations.
On March 5th staff members Susan Grabski, Jennifer Williams, and Amita Kiley attended the monthly meeting of the Greater Lawrence Italian Women's Club. Also in attendance were Simmons intern Veronica Denison and volunteer Kathleen Flynn. They spoke to the members about the importance of preserving the history of the club, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary. Members were invited to work with the LHC to preserve the club's history by donating materials, current items in the collection related to the Italian community were displayed, and LHC flyers were passed around. The LHC representatives sat at different tables conversing with members and made quite a few connections. One donation was made that evening, and several others were planned. The members also helped to identify women in older photographs of the club. All in all it was a fantastic night filled with laughter, fun, and reminiscences.
The city of Lawrence is often called "The Immigrant City." The reason for this is that right from the very beginning, the population was mostly composed of immigrants. It was the Irish who first came to Lawrence in order to build the dam, canals, and mills. They then went to work in the mills and were joined by the French Canadians, the English, and the Germans. The early 20th century saw an influx of Eastern European immigrants from such countries as Russia, Poland, Lithuania, and Italy. Later in the century various Asian and Latino groups began coming to the city. 
There are two wonderful collections of Civil War letters at the History Center. One collection has letters written by Henry Harris, who was a Captain in the 82nd Regiment of Colored People, and the other collection has letters written by John Harrison of the 14th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. While both men were from the Lawrence area, their experiences in the war differed greatly. Harrison’s letters span from 1860 to 1865 and Harris’s from 1861 to 1866. These letters offer a great inside look into the lives and experiences of two men during the war.
Last semester Abigail Sayre, a senior at Merrimack College, completed an internship at the Lawrence History Center. She has a keen interest in Asian history, and when she decided to intern at the LHC she wanted to learn more about the Asian community here in Lawrence. She conducted in-depth research into the factors that led Cambodians and Vietnamese to come to Massachusetts, the organizations that have helped them to acclimate to their new home, and the current situation of these groups in the city. She used the resources at the LHC, including our oral histories, and then connected with other organizations focusing on the Asian community, such as the 
We are pleased to announce that the first 
We are pleased to announce that the centennial exhibit, "The Lewis Hine Project: Stories of the Lawrence Children, by Joe Manning," has moved from its original home in the LHC's exhibit space on the 6th floor of the Everett Mill (Lawrence) to the McLean Gallery in the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library at Phillips Academy in Andover! It will be on display there until mid-March.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO AND/OR SPONSOR the 2013 Eartha Dengler History Award Ceremony!
Please help us continue our mission to collect, preserve, share, and interpret the history and heritage of Lawrence and its people by making a tax-deductible donation to the Lawrence History Center today!
