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Just a few words about the Irish Conference happening in Lowell this week… It was quite an experience attending day-one of the Irish Conference sponsored by UMass Lowell and Queens University Belfast. Themed “The Irish in Massachusetts: Historical Significance, Lasting Legacy.” The excellent cast of speaker/presenters moved us from 1550 Ireland…
Read More »While in Washington a couple of summers ago, I was sure to visit the Museum of American History which was hosting an exhibit on “invention in 19th century America.” I’ve always found the intersection of history and technology to be a fascinating area and I wasn’t disappointed. The exhibit featured…
Read More »When we think textile mills, we think Lowell. But some of the surrounding towns had vibrant mill economies, as well. Such as the case in Billerica which had the Faulkner Mills in the northern part of town. The Faulkner Mill complex still stands and is home to the Middlesex Canal…
Read More »Ken Kesey’s Electric Cool-Aid Acid Test Bus arrived Wednesday night along with Zane Kesey and his Merry Pranksters. Photos by Tony Sampas.
Read More »I commend Councilor Rita Mercier on her remarks this evening regarding crime in Lowell. My notes from the entire meeting are available online but I want to single out Rita’s comments, partly because she and I haven’t shared a lot of common ground on issues, but mostly because she’s right.…
Read More »My notes from tonight’s Lowell City Council meeting: Resignation of Erik Gitschier from Greater Lowell Vocational School Committee – City Council trying to schedule a joint meeting with the Lowell School Committee to select his replacement. Special meeting on October 7, 2014 at 6:30 pm (council will begin its regular…
Read More »Several years ago UMass Lowell began requiring its freshmen honors students to take a seminar their first semester that’s designed to introduce them to the city of Lowell. It’s one of the many ways in which the University is striving to make closer connections with the city. Last year, one…
Read More »On Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 7 pm at the Adams (Chelmsford) Library at 25 Boston Rd, Chelmsford, I will give a talk on how to use the records of the registry of deeds to conduct historical research. All land ownership records for the towns of Billerica, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Dracut,…
Read More »Nancy Pitkin is a longtime member of the Pollard Memorial Libary’s nonfiction book club. The next selection for the club is Jane Mayer’s “Dark Side: The Inside Story of How America’s War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals.” The club will meet to discuss the book on…
Read More »On the first day of autumn, frequent contributor Jim Peters shares some end of summer thoughts: I have not written much this summer because I have been living the dream; soft quiet nights, camping, fishing, swimming, and other pleasurable activities. It is quite a change from the bipolar activities I…
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