Category Archives: Special Collections

Eastham Mass. Memories Road Show materials available now

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The photographs and stories gathered at the Eastham Mass. Memories Road Show are available online now for research.

This is a photo of our immediate family taken at Cedarcrest--a cottage colony developed by Frank and Esther Gould after their little summer cottage in Harwich burned mysteriously to the ground. That was the impetus of my father to purchase nine acres of undeveloped land on the backs of the town cove across from Rachel's Cove. They successfully ran this colony for over 40 years before selling each one off to past guests. Pictured, from left to right: Barbara Gould Weber, Frank E. Gould, Esther Halower Gould, and Dana Bickford Gould.

The Frank Gould family, circa 1975. ‘This is a photo of our immediate family taken at Cedarcrest–a cottage colony developed by Frank and Esther Gould after their little summer cottage in Harwich burned mysteriously to the ground. That was the impetus of my father to purchase nine acres of undeveloped land on the backs of the town cove across from Rachel’s Cove. They successfully ran this colony for over 40 years before selling each one off to past guests.’ Contributor: Barbara Gould Weber.

 

The event, held on Sunday, May 7, 2017, was organized by the Eastham Public Library and hosted in its new building. Library Director Debra DeJonker-Berry led a town-wide collaboration among a large number of organizational partners including the Eastham Historical Society and the Town of Eastham Clerk’s Office. The program was supported by the Friends of the Eastham Public Library and the Eagle Wing Inn. Nearly thirty local volunteers came out on a beautiful spring day to partner with a team of UMass Boston staff members and public history graduate students, as well as “Roadies” from previous Mass. Memories Road Show events. Together they welcomed more than 100 adults and children with connections to the Cape Cod town.

Nellie is staffing her general store on Route 6 in North Eastham. The theater posters are for Orleans Theater movies showing is September and August. Pictured: my grandmother Nellie Nickerson.

Nickerson’s general store, 1940s. ‘Nellie is staffing her general store on Route 6 in North Eastham. The theater posters are for Orleans Theater movies showing in September and August. Pictured: my grandmother Nellie Nickerson.’ Contributor: Janice Nickerson.

 

Participants contributed images of growing up–and living year-round–in this seashore community over the years. They shared stories of their work in family businesses, the fire department, schools, and town politics. Memories of summer vacationing in Eastham with family and friends–enjoying recreational activities together such as swimming, fishing, crabbing, and boating along the ocean and bay shores–are also documented in the collection.

This picture was taken after a successful fishing trip for a striped bass! The picture was taken on a misty summer morning in our locust woods. Pictured, from left to right: George 'Kit' Thorlin, Paul Stevens, Jane Thorlin Fields, and Elfie the dog. Location: Nauset Road. Contributor: Joanna Stevens.

Successful fishing trip, 1967. ‘This picture was taken after a successful fishing trip for a striped bass! [It was] a misty summer morning in our locust woods. Pictured, from left to right: George ‘Kit’ Thorlin, Paul Stevens, Jane Thorlin Fields, and Elfie the dog. Location: Nauset Road.’ Contributor: Joanna Stevens.

 

Many contributors shared photographs and stories of their participation in lively community gatherings over the years, commemorating town anniversaries, marching in the Windmill Weekend parade, and celebrating Eastham’s agricultural heritage with an annual turnip festival.

Turnip Queen 2013 is greeted by her most devoted fan. Photo taken by Anton Anderson. Pictured, from left to right: Jack Kerig and Kaye Richardson. Location: Eastham Turnip Festival at Nauset Regional High School.

Turnip kissing Turnip Queen, 2013. ‘Turnip Queen 2013 is greeted by her most devoted fan. Photo taken by Anton Anderson. Pictured, from left to right: Jack Kerig and Kaye Richardson. Location: Eastham Turnip Festival at Nauset Regional High School.’ Contributor: Jack Kerig.

 

Several images illustrate community members’ pride in the town’s landmarks–such as Cape Cod National Seashore, an historical windmill, Nauset Light, and Coast Guard Beach. They further document residents cultivating the Eastham Famous Flower Island (EFFI) and exploring lesser-known corners with the Eastham Hiking Club.

Browse the Eastham Mass. Memories Road Show collection.

The Mass. Memories Road Show is a statewide digital history project that documents people, places and events in Massachusetts history through family photographs and stories. In partnership with teams of local volunteers, we organize public events to scan family and community photographs and videotape “the stories behind the photos.” The images and videos are indexed and incorporated into an online educational database. Since its launch, the project has gathered more than 9,000 photographs and stories from across the state. It is supported in part by the Patricia C. Flaherty ’81 Endowed Fund at UMass Boston.

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston was established in 1981 as a repository to collect archival material in subject areas of interest to the university, as well as the records of the university itself. The mission and history of UMass Boston guide the collection policies of University Archives & Special Collections, with the university’s urban mission and strong support of community service reflected in the records of and related to urban planning, social welfare, social action, alternative movements, community organizations, war and social consequence, and local history related to neighboring communities. To learn more, visit blogs.umb.edu/archives.

Bicycling publications in University Archives & Special Collections

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University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at the University of Massachusetts Boston is pleased to announce that a number of our collections related to the history of bicycling have been processed and are now available for research. This is the fourth of several planned posts on Open Archives News that will highlight some of the recently-processed collections in University Archives & Special Collections related to the history of bicycling.

The Bicycle Network: Network News

The Bicycle Network: Network News

Bicycle Network: Network News publication, 1981-1999

Network News was the clipping service of the Bicycle Network that was started in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by John Dowlin. The clippings were presented as a bound publication that included articles from around the world pertaining to bicycling. Network News was published on a quarterly basis from 1980 to 1999. The collection spans 1.5 linear feet. View the finding aid for this collection here.

Hub Cycle and Radio Company 45th Anniversary publication, 1942

Hub Cycle and Radio Company 45th Anniversary Scrapbook, 1897-1942, published in Boston, Massachusetts, is a rare booklet describing the history of bicycling. View the finding aid for this collection here.

Hub Cycle and Radio Co. 45th Anniversary, 1897-1942 scrapbook

Hub Cycle and Radio Co. 45th Anniversary scrapbook, 1897-1942

The publications mentioned in this article are just two of the many publications in University Archives and Special Collections related to the history of bicycling, from the League of American Wheelmen Bulletin to Bicycle USA  to Pedal for Power. Keep reading Open Archives News for updates about when additional collections and publications are processed and available to researchers. Read more about the various bicycling-related collections in University Archives & Special Collections at UMass Boston here, and learn more about researching the history of bicycling here.

For questions about these collections or to schedule a research appointment, please contact library.archives@umb.edu or 617-287-5469.

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston collects materials related to the university’s history, as well as materials that reflect the institution’s urban mission and strong support of community service, notably in collections of records of urban planning, social welfare, social action, alternative movements, community organizations, and local history related to neighboring communities.

University Archives & Special Collections welcomes inquiries from individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in donating materials of an archival nature that that fit within our collecting policy. These include manuscripts, documents, organizational archives, collections of photographs, unique publications, and audio and video media. For more information about donating to University Archives & Special Collections, click here or email library.archives@umb.edu.

Nahant Mass. Memories Road Show photographs online now

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The photographs and stories gathered at the Nahant Mass. Memories Road Show are available online now for research.

Gathering of summer playmates on grounds of Motley family home. These were my mom's generation of friends. Pictured, from left to right: Herbert Motley, Eleanor Warren Motley, George Richardson, Elizabeth Motley, Pierson Richardson, Elliot Richardson, David Devens, and Pat Devens.

Summer friends, 1924. ‘Gathering of summer playmates on grounds of Motley family home. These were my mom’s generation of friends. Pictured, from left to right: Herbert Motley, Eleanor Warren Motley, George Richardson, Elizabeth Motley, Pierson Richardson, Elliot Richardson, David Devens, and Pat Devens.’ Contributor: Kristy Lee.

 

Held at the Nahant Town Hall on Saturday, April 1, 2017, the event was organized by the Nahant Public Library, 01908, Nahant Council on Aging, Nahant Historical Society, Nahant Public Schools, Nahant Safer Waters in Massachusetts, Inc. (S.W.I.M.), and Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center with funding from the Friends of Nahant Public Library and the Nahant Cultural Council. Over twenty local volunteers came out on a snowy spring day to collaborate with a team of UMass Boston staff members and public history graduate students, as well as “Roadies” from past Mass. Memories Road Show events, to welcome more than 100 adults and children with connections to the town on the North Shore of Boston.

This is a rite of passage growing up here in Nahant--jumping off the wharf! My son relishes in every summer moment. Pictured: Casey DeCamp. Location: Town Wharf

Nahant summer rite of passage, 2014. ‘This is a rite of passage growing up here in Nahant–jumping off the wharf! My son relishes in every summer moment. Pictured: Casey DeCamp.’ Contributor: Liz Carlson.

 

Participants contributed images of everyday life in this tiny island community over the years. Summertime family gatherings are especially well represented in the collection. Many individuals shared memories of their enjoyment of the island’s natural beauty–and photographs capturing sunsets, beaches, and scenic views from their kitchen windows.

'Family photo on Curlew Beach where we played and swam. Pictured, from back to front, left to right: Isabelle (Belle) Oakes Hunnewell, Hollis Hunnewell, Elliot January Hunnewell, Horatio Hollis Hunnewell, Peter Remsen Hunnewell, and Edith Elliot Hunnewell, and Tiller. Location: Curlew Beach.'

Hunnewell family photo, 1972. ‘Family photo on Curlew Beach where we played and swam.’ Contributor: Edith E. Hunnewell.

 

Several photographs document informal gatherings of teenagers at the local convenience store and organized activities of groups such as the Girl Scouts, the Nahant Women’s Club and the Knights of Columbus.  Many images depict Nahant residents’ efforts to clean up the ocean waters around the island as well as the scientific research and education programs of Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center.

This photo pictures the founding director of the Northeastern University Marine Science Center, Doc Riser. This photo means a lot of me because it exemplifies the perpetual curosity and love for science that made Doc an exemplary leader and inspired future generations of marine scientist. In my role as an educator at the Marine Science Center, I explore these same tidepools with youth and am honored to carry on Doc Riser's legacy of science curosity and passion. Pictured: Nathan 'Doc' Riser. Location: East Point.'

Tidepooling with Doc Riser, founding director of the Northeastern University Marine Science Center, 1960s or 1970s. ‘This picture means a lot to me because it exemplifies the perpetual curiosity and love for science that made him an exemplary leader and inspired future generations of marine scientists.’ Contributor: Val Perini.

 

Browse the Nahant Mass. Memories Road Show collection.

The Mass. Memories Road Show is a statewide digital history project that documents people, places and events in Massachusetts history through family photographs and stories. In partnership with teams of local volunteers, we organize public events to scan family and community photographs and videotape “the stories behind the photos.” The images and videos are indexed and incorporated into an online educational database. Since its launch, the project has gathered more than 9,000 photographs and stories from across the state. It is supported in part by the Patricia C. Flaherty ’81 Endowed Fund at UMass Boston.

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston was established in 1981 as a repository to collect archival material in subject areas of interest to the university, as well as the records of the university itself. The mission and history of UMass Boston guide the collection policies of University Archives & Special Collections, with the university’s urban mission and strong support of community service reflected in the records of and related to urban planning, social welfare, social action, alternative movements, community organizations, war and social consequence, and local history related to neighboring communities. To learn more, visit blogs.umb.edu/archives.

Exhibition celebrates thirty-year history of Joiner Institute’s Writers’ Workshop

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The exhibition includes two wall displays. Pictured here, attendees at the exhibition’s opening reception view mounted translations of Zen poems from early Vietnam.

Earlier this summer, University Archives & Special Collections worked with staff from the William Joiner Institute for the Study of War and Social Consequences at UMass Boston on an exhibition celebrating the thirty-year history of the Institute’s Writers’ Workshop.

The display, in the Walter Grossmann Memorial Gallery in the Healey Library, includes a range of materials related to the Writers’ Workshop, as well as archival materials, photographs, and artwork from the Archives’ Joiner Institute collections.

This year’s Writers’ Workshop Festival and Celebration, which was held in June, “celebrated 30 years of community and creative responses to war” and continued the Institute’s “tradition of focusing on the intersections of writing, war, social justice, and peace making.” In this exhibit, we look back on the history of the Writers’ Workshop, as well as the wide range of accomplishments and activities of the Joiner Institute since it was established in 1982. Additionally, this display features materials from a number of archival collections in University Archives & Special Collections that document the history of the Vietnam War (many materials were originally collected by or in collaboration with the Joiner Institute).

Included as part of this exhibition are a number of posters from the archival collections and Vietnamese water puppets. The art and practice of Water puppetry in Vietnam dates back to the 11th century.
Included as part of this exhibition are a number of posters from the archival collections and Vietnamese water puppets. The art and practice of Water puppetry in Vietnam dates back to the 11th century.
This exhibition features archival materials such as newsletters, photographs, flyers, and more, that document the early years of the Writers' Workshop, as well as more recent activities of the Workshop.
This exhibition features archival materials such as newsletters, photographs, flyers, and more, that document the early years of the Writers’ Workshop, as well as more recent activities of the Workshop.
This exhibition features archival materials such as newsletters, photographs, flyers, and more, that document the early years of the Writers' Workshop, as well as more recent activities of the Workshop.
This exhibition features archival materials such as newsletters, photographs, flyers, and more, that document the early years of the Writers’ Workshop, as well as more recent activities of the Workshop.
This exhibition features archival materials such as newsletters, photographs, flyers, and more, that document the early years of the Writers' Workshop, as well as more recent activities of the Workshop. In addition, the exhibition documents a major initiative of the Joiner Institute since the late 1980s: the translation of Vietnamese literature, fiction, and poetry, into English. Included in this display is information about Vietnamese author Le Luu, a former soldier in the North Vietnamese army and the first Vietnamese writer to visit the United States since the war ended in 1975. Luu was a guest of the Writers’ Workshop in 1988.
This exhibition features archival materials such as newsletters, photographs, flyers, and more, that document the early years of the Writers’ Workshop, as well as more recent activities of the Workshop. In addition, the exhibition documents a major initiative of the Joiner Institute since the late 1980s: the translation of Vietnamese literature, fiction, and poetry, into English. Included in this display is information about Vietnamese author Le Luu, a former soldier in the North Vietnamese army and the first Vietnamese writer to visit the United States since the war ended in 1975. Luu was a guest of the Writers’ Workshop in 1988.
This exhibition features a range of materials related to the study of war and social consequences that are part of University Archives & Special Collections at UMass Boston. Pictured here are materials from the Francois Sully collection. Other collections featured include the photographs and papers of Gloria Emerson, photographs by Philip Jones Griffiths/Magnum, and materials related to WGBH's Vietnam: A Television History.
This exhibition features a range of materials related to the study of war and social consequences that are part of University Archives & Special Collections at UMass Boston. Pictured here are materials from the Francois Sully collection. Other collections featured include the photographs and papers of Gloria Emerson, photographs by Philip Jones Griffiths/Magnum, and materials related to WGBH’s Vietnam: A Television History.
The exhibition includes two wall displays. Pictured here is a display of photographs related to the Writers' Workshop by Melissa Shook.
The exhibition includes two wall displays. Pictured here is a display of photographs related to the Writers’ Workshop by Melissa Shook.
The exhibition includes two wall displays. Pictured here are mounted translations of Zen poems from early Vietnam.
The exhibition includes two wall displays. Pictured here are mounted translations of Zen poems from early Vietnam.

This display was organized in close collaboration with the Joiner Institute.

University Archives & Special Collections has curatorial responsibility for material acquired by the William Joiner Institute (formerly the William Joiner Center) as part of its mission to study the effects of the Vietnam War on our society, as well as the study of war and social consequences more broadly. The collections of archives, manuscripts, photographs, and videos primarily explore veterans’ issues and experiences.

Explore the Joiner Center/Institute collections and collections related to war and social consequences. For a guide to researching the Vietnam War, click here.

Visit the display in the Grossmann Gallery on the 5th floor of the Healey Library at UMass Boston. The exhibition will run through the fall of 2017.

For questions about the exhibition and these collections, or to schedule a research appointment, please contact library.archives@umb.edu or 617-287-5469.

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston collects materials related to the university’s history, as well as materials that reflect the institution’s urban mission and strong support of community service, notably in collections of records of urban planning, social welfare, social action, alternative movements, community organizations, and local history related to neighboring communities.

University Archives & Special Collections welcomes inquiries from individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in donating materials of an archival nature that that fit within our collecting policy. These include manuscripts, documents, organizational archives, collections of photographs, unique publications, and audio and video media. For more information about donating to University Archives & Special Collections, click here or email library.archives@umb.edu.

American Youth Hostels records: Explore the history of bicycling in this newly-processed collection

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University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at the University of Massachusetts Boston is pleased to announce that a number of our collections related to the history of bicycling have been processed and are now available for research. This is the third of several planned posts on Open Archives News that will highlight recently-processed collections in University Archives & Special Collections related to the history of bicycling.

American Youth Hostels, photograph of bicycling tour, circa 1950-1959. Pictured are a group of cyclists on a tour coordinated by the American Youth Hostels.

American Youth Hostels records, 1874-2012, bulk 1936-2007

The idea of the youth hostel was conceived in 1909 by Richard Shirrmann, an elementary school teacher living in the industrial center of Germany, who wanted to introduce youth to the countryside (1). Shirrmann’s idea caught on and by 1932, Germany had more than 2,000 youth hostels recording more than 4.5 million overnights annually. In the meantime, the movement spread throughout Europe as another 600 hostels opened (2).

That same year, the first international meeting for hosteling associations was held in Amsterdam to develop common standards, and the International Youth Hostel Federation was formed. Isabel and Monroe Smith attended the second international meeting in 1933 (1). Isabel Smith was an art schoolteacher and Monroe Smith a Boy Scout leader.

In 1934, the Smiths established the first American Youth Hostels (AYH) in Northfield, Massachusetts. A chain of hostels was subsequently set up in Vermont and New Hampshire in the summer of 1935. These early hostels were located on farms, with support from a local committee (2).

American Youth Hostels photograph of Dr. Dudley White with a group of cyclists, circa 1950-1959

It didn’t take long for the youth hostel movement and its mission to spread. By May 8, 1947, the proposed by-laws from Article II of the Greater Boston Council of the American Youth Hostels stated: “the purpose of the Council shall be to help all, but especially young people, to a greater knowledge, use and love of the countryside, and to make available to them the cultural and educational benefits of travel, both here and abroad, particularly by establishing, maintaining and inspecting youth hostels within the Greater Boston area and assisting in their establishment in the surrounding areas; by arranging hiking, cycling, skiing and other trips or activities, and training trip leaders; and by providing an information service; to maintain a Council office and staff; to endeavor to promote within the Greater Boston area the development and greater service of youth hostels generally” (3).

The AYH incorporated bicycling as part of their programming during the Great Depression, appealing to the AYH mission to promote travel, health, and the enjoyment of the outdoors (4). AYH cycling tours in length and included day trips and overnight trips exploring the countryside, neighboring communities, various states, Canada, Europe and South America.

By the post-war period, the bicycling world often merged with the AYH. During the 1950s, future founder of the Charles River Wheelmen, Fred Chaffee, led popular cycle and nature tours at AYH (4). In 1964, AYH joined the bicycle industry to kick off “American Bike Month” in response to the increase in pollution (4). John Leek, who worked from 1975-1978 at the Bicycle Repair Collection in Cambridge, and hosted the first office of Bikes Not Bombs, led many AYH bicycle tours (4). During the mid- to late-1980s, the AYH joined the Boston Area Bicycling Coalition and the Charles River Wheelmen to host numerous Grape Nuts Bike Festivals in Boston (4).

American Youth Hostels newsletter, 1941 May 8

The American Youth Hostels records consist of board agenda, minutes, reports, charters, contracts, notes, newsletters, correspondence, by-laws, flyers, clippings, maps, photographs, scrapbooks, CDs, and one VHS tape. A listing of American Youth Hostels clubs established between 1965 and 1967 resides in folder 19 of Series I. A short history on hostels entitled “Highroad to Adventure – The Hostel Way: A slide show by the Greater Boston Council American Youth Hostels, by Stephen Sloss, 1977” can be found in Series VI. Scrapbooks.

View the finding aid for this collection here.

Read more about the various bicycling-related collections in University Archives & Special Collections at UMass Boston here, and learn more about researching the history of bicycling here. To learn more about the AYH’s involvement in and the cultural history of bicycling keep an eye out for the anticipated 2018 publication of Boston’s 20th Century Bicycling Renaissance: Cultural Change on Two Wheels by Lorenz J. Finison.

For questions about these collections or to schedule a research appointment, please contact library.archives@umb.edu or 617-287-5469.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

  1. “Hostelling International USA: History of Hostelling.” HI USA. 2014. Web. 21 Sept. 2015.
  2. Series I. Organizational Records, 1945-2011, folder 17. Leader’s Manuel Part 1 revised, January 1991.
  3. Series I. Organizational Records, 1945-2011, folder 1. Secretary’s reports [minutes], 1945- 1950.
  4. Finison, Lorenz J. Boston’s 20th Century Bicycling Renaissance: Cultural Change on Two Wheels. Anticipated publication 2018.

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston collects materials related to the university’s history, as well as materials that reflect the institution’s urban mission and strong support of community service, notably in collections of records of urban planning, social welfare, social action, alternative movements, community organizations, and local history related to neighboring communities.

University Archives & Special Collections welcomes inquiries from individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in donating materials of an archival nature that that fit within our collecting policy. These include manuscripts, documents, organizational archives, collections of photographs, unique publications, and audio and video media. For more information about donating to University Archives & Special Collections, click here or email library.archives@umb.edu.