Author Archive

This article was originally posted on February 22, 2020, as “George Washington Painting Restoration.”   This morning the Trustees of the Pollard Memorial Library hosted a celebration of the restoration of the library’s “Washington at Dorchester Heights” painting. Done by local artist Samuel Howes, the painting is modeled on Gilbert…

Henry Knox and Evacuation Day By Rich Grady My wife taught elementary school for many years in Boxborough, Massachusetts. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching 4th graders about the regions of the United States and was frequently gathering information to share with her students. When she covered the Northeast, she would tell…

It’s happening in 1924 Lowell – (PIP #61) By Louise Peloquin Throughout its ups and downs, Lowell has always evolved and hosted events. Here are two examples.  L’Etoile – September 12, 1924 Exhibit in Full Swing Tomorrow is the last day. Also, there will be several exhibits, beautiful horse races.…

Last Sunday, the Lowell Sun reported “Several bombshells dropped during the [February 27th] meeting of the School Building Committee for the Lowell High School renovation project.” (“Cost overruns, 4-month delay forecast”). This newest problem arose in the 1922 building which runs along Kirk Street and involves the cement floor of…

SPRING TRAINING By Terry Downes After bitter months of snow As days creep long and longer, Above the Mason-Dixon Line The need grows strong and stronger, To see the pitcher climb the mound And watch the batter takes his place, To hear the thunder of the crowd And wonder who…

Review of The Savage Storm: The Battle for Italy 1943 Book by James Holland Review by Richard Howe One of my ongoing Lowell history projects is to document each of the memorial squares spread throughout the city. Until the early 1990s, these squares were mostly dedicated to individuals from Lowell…

A 1925 Call to Save Our Industries — (PIP #60) By Louise Peloquin      Lowell’s quest to preserve local business and industry has always made the news. The following story and supporting editorial are century-old examples. L’Etoile – February 21, 1925 Lowell must keep its industries      Our large local…

Today’s newsletter will focus on title theft, the label now used for an attempt to fraudulently transfer ownership of real estate. This came before the Lowell City Council at Tuesday night’s meeting in the response to a motion on this topic. (The Council addressed other topics deserving of attention, but…

On Sunday, February 23, 2025, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church presented “Freedom Seekers: The Underground Railroad and St. Anne’s Lowell” a speaking program that featured UMass Lowell History Professor Robert Forrant and Jacquelynn Coles of the Black Lowell Coalition. The event was part of St. Anne’s year-long bicentennial celebration and was…

Malcolm Sharps and the Long Road By Stephen O’Connor Nous devrions pourtant lui porter quelques fleurs…                                                                                     —Swinburne It was 1979. I had been on a train all night from Paris to Montpellier, 735 km. This was before the days of the TGV that now flies along the…