Lawrence History Center

Please take a moment to read the article in the September/October 2012 edition of Archival Outlook about our role in commemorating the Centennial of the Strike of 1912.

In order to continue and reach out to the community in and around Lawrence, archivist Jennifer Williams attended the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce and Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce networking mixer. While there she spoke to businessmen and women from many different businesses, including ServPro, WCCM, and the Home Depot. Jennifer was especially excited to meet members of the Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce. She spoke to them about the latest goings-on at the LHC, as well as how the LHC could benefit them. She also spoke to them about potential future partnerships. Towards the end of the night she was pleased to be able to give a brief speech in front of the entire assembly about the exhibits at the Everett Mill, as well as the mission of the Lawrence History Center. We look forward to working with more businesses in Lawrence and letting everyone know about what our organization can do for them!

In the early 1880's, the Essex Company built a new complex of buildings at 6 Essex Street to support their growing operations in Lawrence. Along with a main office building, a carpenter shop, stable and warehouse, they built a blacksmith shop in the courtyard where tools and implements used in the maintenance of the canal and dam structures, as well as, other buildings in the City of Lawrence were hand crafted.

The Essex Company complex, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, has been home to the Lawrence History Center since 1991. Last weekend, as a part of Essex National Heritage Area Trails & Sails Weekends, the History Center welcomed well over 100 visitors into our historic courtyard for a Blacksmithing Weekend. Richard Wright and Steve Ash, of the Granite State Hammer Alliance, demonstrated the craft of traditional blacksmithing methods, forging both iron and mild steel to create items for practical use. One of the items they made was a new latch for our exterior gate -- be sure to check it out next time you're in the area!

Click for more images of from the Weekend!

Thanks to Chet Sidell and Dick Purinton for sponsoring the event and Richard Wright and Steve Ash (Granite State Hammer Alliance) for sharing their expertise and good humor! Many thanks to Sam Facella (Flametech Steel, Lawrence) for providing us with additional coal and hospitality in giving Richard and Steve a tour of your operation at 600 Essex Street. Thanks to Jim and Arlene Ross (LCAT) for filming the event! And, as always, thanks to Amita Kiley and Kathy Flynn for their efforts in setting up the event and for giving LHC such as welcoming presence in the community!

Last night archivist Jennifer Williams attended the monthly Prospect Hill/Back Bay Neighborhood Association meeting. While there she gave a twenty minute talk on the history of Lawrence, as well as the goings-on at the Lawrence History Center. Her talk touched on many different aspects of Lawrence history, from the land Daniel Saunders bought near Bodwell Falls to the immigration of many different groups of people to the city. The audience was very enthusiastic, and especially enjoyed viewing the photographs Jennifer brought of the Venerini Sisters, their convent, Holy Rosary Church, the Concordia Social Club, and Daniel Saunders. It was a successful night and several members of the association expressed their desire to visit the LHC or donate materials. The LHC is always very excited to connect with the community in order to make them aware not only of the importance of Lawrence's history, but also the resources available for people to learn about that history. We look forward to visiting other local groups in the future!

The Lawrence History Center is delighted to be among an impressive group from Lawrence participating in the Essex National Heritage Area Trails & Sails Weekends!

The following 3 events are Open Door Events and, therefore, do not require pre-registration. Come one, come all!

Blacksmithing Weekend in the Essex Company Forge Sponsored by Lawrence History Center Located at 6 Essex Street, Lawrence, 978-686-9230 Friday, September 21, 2012 - 10:00am-3:00pm Saturday, September 22, 2012 10:00am-3:00pm Step back in time with us for a weekend of blacksmithing in the forge of the former Essex Company, the company that built the City of Lawrence! Richard Wright and Steve Ash, of the Granite State Hammer Alliance, will be demonstrating the craft of traditional blacksmithing methods, forging both iron and mild steel to create items for the Lawrence History Center gift shop and for practical use in our historic courtyard. The forge was first in use in the early 1880's when the Essex Company complex at 6 Essex Street in Lawrence was constructed.

The Lawrence History Center cordially invites you and your guests to attend our

34th Annual Meeting
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
6:00 pm—7:30 pm
Everett Mill, 15 Union Street, 6th Floor, Lawrence

This will be the last event held within our bilingual exhibit, Short pay! All out! The Great Lawrence Strike of 1912, in the Everett Mill.

Please come and celebrate with us as we reflect on a very successful CENTENNIAL YEAR!

Free admission and refreshments

Joe Manning, creator of The Lewis Hine Project: Stories of the Lawrence Children, was interviewed today by Marian Pierre-Louis on the Fieldstone Common Radio Show (a show dedicated to showcasing New England history and genealogy). It is a wonderful interview. Have yourself a listen!

Labor Day weekend has always been a time of celebration for the city of Lawrence. This photograph shows the community celebrating the Feast of the Three Saints in 1955. It is only one of over ten thousand photographs we have at the Lawrence History Center. We hope that you will attend this year's event, which kicks off Friday, August 31st. We also hope to see you at our booth on the Common at Monday's Bread and Roses Festival.

The LHC has placed eight collection guides on our website to help researchers learn more about the resources available here, with plans to put more up in the coming weeks. Several new collection guides are available: the Lawrence General Hospital Collection; the Barry Flynn Essex Company Collection; and the Guy Pennisi Papers. Also included are our previously created collection guides. The guides are searchable, but we have also included the subjects and people mentioned in the collections to help you use them more effectively. You can find these collection guides in our 'Collections' Menu under the heading 'Collection Guides.' You can also get to them by clicking here. If you find anything of interest you can gain access to the materials by calling us at 978-686-9230 or emailing us at research@lawrencehistory.org. We would love to set up a time for you to view our materials!

We are pleased to announce a new book for sale here at LHC. "Through Carmela's Eyes" by Frank Palumbo Jr. tells the story of story of Carmela Teoli, a young Italian immigrant, who was brought to America in hopes of a better life. "Times were hard and her parents were forced to take her out of school, at age twelve and send her to work in one of the woolen mills in Lawrence Massachusetts. While there, she endured a devastating accident that would forever alter her life and that of her family.

The repercussions would extend far beyond anything that could be imagined...