Bunker Hill Museum

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CHS Past Presidents:

John Alves
Gloria Conway
James Conway
Maurice O'Shea
Ralph Smith
Kay Whelan
Richard Woods

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Upcoming Programming 2009

Meet Dr. Joseph Warren - Thursday, June 11, 2009 7:15 pm

Reenactor Michael LePage will portray one of the best known and most articulate members of the Sons of Liberty, Dr. Joseph Warren. Head of an elaborate intelligence network, Warren learned that British regulars were planning to march into the countryside and he dispatched Paul Revere to alert Samuel Adams and John Hancock.

The evening will open with a presentation by Dr. Warren, and will follow with an opportunity for discussion.


Past Programming

Weapons of the Revolution - Sunday, May 31, 2009 2 pm - presented by Private William Baldwin, Gardner's Regiment/Charlestown Militia Company

Subtitled 'Small Arms in America 1730-1783', this will be an introductory discussion of infantry longarms and their accoutrements used during the Revolution. Many examples of firelocks, bayonets, and edged weaponry, both antique as well as contemporary reproductions, will be examined.

The presentation will explain how the technology of the period influenced tactics, and why the American militia system enabled the War to be waged. Additionally, the impact of specialized combatants using rifled firearms and how these units fought will be discussed.


Founders: The People Who Brought You a Nation - Friday, May 15, 2009 7 pm

Ray Raphael, the author of A People's History of the American Revolution and Founding Myths: Stories that Hide our Patriotic Past (New Press - 2004), will introduce his new book, Founders: The People Who Brought You a Nation (2009).

Mr. Raphael has authored some 14 books on subjects as diverse as male initiation rites, education, regional history (NW California), timber politics, and has more recently focused on the American Revolution and the founding of the nation.

He is in Boston for a brief period and in collaboration with the National Park Service, has offered to repeat his Minute Man National Historical Park presentation to an audience at the Bunker Hill Museum.

His book Founding Myths quickly acquired an almost cult following, with disclosures that Paul Revere didn't make that ride, except in Longfellow's poem. Patrick Henry probably didn't say "Give me liberty or give me death!" The words were likely put into his mouth by a biographer several decades after his death. Washington's winter at Valley Forge really wasn't that bad compared with other winters during the Revolution. Molly Pitcher probably never existed, and the colonies most definitely did not offer slaves their freedom to fight against the British. Founding Myths doesn't merely debunk popular stories in American History, it shows how they were created and why they persist, and why their persistence is blocking the path toward a true understanding of American history.

His latest work, Founders, is a daring attempt to recreate an "honest history" of our nation's founding by skipping over nineteenth century distortions and returning to primary sources from Revolutionary times.

Fundraiser planned to benefit Irish Famine memorial, Sunday, March 8 at 3 pm - by Dan Murphy

An upcoming fundraiser at the Warren Tavern will support the construction of "The Children of the Famine Memorial" in honor of the countless Irish children who were buried at St. Francis de Sales Cemetery after fleeing their starving homeland between 1845 and 1850.

As the next step in its Irish Renaissance Project following the release of the 2006 documentary "The Green Square Mile: Story of the Charlestown Irish," Charlestown Historical Society has partnered with St. Francis de Sales Parish to erect an 8-foot Celtic cross and secondary stone in the cemetery located on the north slope of Bunker Hill.

According to CHS Vice President Ed Callahan, Deveney and White Monument Co., the Dorchester firm that designed the Charlestown Firefighters Memorial, is currently finalizing plans for the memorial. Doug MacDonald, a Charlestown native and mason by trade who helped with the Firefighters Memorial, has also agreed to help lay the foundation for the memorial. The idea to use a Celtic cross was the brainchild of lifelong Charlestown resident Pauline Carrier. St. Francis de Sales Church pastor Fr. Mahoney's thoughts were a dignified but not overly elaborate cross would be the way to go," Callahan said.

The project also garnered the support of Warren Tavern owners Thomas Devlin and Patty O'Sullivan, who offered use of the Main Street establishment for the fundraiser. Musician Jackie Dalton, once a staple of Old Sully's on Union Street, will perform at the event.

State Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty, who was instrumental in helping to finance the production of "The Green Square Mile," has offered to assist with fundraising efforts and will donate proceeds from his March 13 St. Patrick's Day event at the Knights of Columbus Hall for the memorial. "It's my pleasure to help with such a noteworthy cause," O'Flaherty said.

Callahan said the memorial would be unveiled on Sunday, Sept. 13, in conjunction with the 150th Anniversary "Remembrance Mass" at Saint Francis de Sales Church. This event celebrates the 1859 establishment of the church and honors those buried in the cemetery, as well as everyone whose memorial services were held at the church. To commemorate the occasion, "Green Square Mile" screenwriter Dan Casey is assembling a souvenir book that will catalog the names of those buried in the cemetery.

"It's amazing how many people grew up near there and don't know the history of the graveyard," Callahan said.

While the memorial committee is well on its way to raising the $36,000 needed to erect the cross, Callahan is quick to point out profits from "The Green Square Mile" would have paid for the project in full had it not been for pirating of the movie.

"Under normal circumstances, we could have cared less [about the pirating]," Callahan said, "but the [CHS board] felt very strongly that if any money were generated by "The Green Square Mile," we would put it to good use." Callahan continues, "We want to use [the profits] for a useful purpose, and we couldn't think of a better use than this."

"The Children of the Famine Memorial" fundraiser takes place at the Warren Tavern, 87 Warren St., on Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m. The suggested donation is $20 per person. For more information or to make a donation, call Ed Callahan at 617-242-4252.


Charlestown Historical Society Members' Evening - Presented October 17, 2008

The first Charlestown Historical Society Membership Evening took place last Friday, Oct 17th at the Battle of Bunker Hill Museum.

The event was open to all current and newly-signed-up-at-the-door members. Some 50 people took advantage of this wonderful opportunity to see the museum exhibits at night (sans tourists and school tours!), partake of a magnificent spread prepared by Wildflour Catering with delightful pastries by Sorelles - not to mention a long-table, most adequately supplied with wine and ale.

Members were greeted at the museum door by Denis Devlin of The Pipes and Drums of Bunker Hill, dressed in full regalia, and escorted to the auditorium by volunteers from the Charlestown Militia Company 1775, Col. Thomas Gardner Regiment.

The main body of the Charlestown Militia were on guard in the auditorium to ensure membership dues were duly paid. But it does have to be noted that Captain Tom Coots strategic placement of his troops failed to prevent a most brazen sneak-attack, via an unguarded side door, by several people disguised as extremely well dressed Townies who with amazing agility, rapidly negotiated the obstacle course of table settings, successfully avoided the attractions on the main mess table, and promptly raided the desert table. Meanwhile, the main body of members mustered on the Museum floor, patiently waiting for the event to be declared open. Captain Coots reluctantly praised the brilliantly executed flanking movement, but was disappointed that they chose not to abide by the Rules of Engagement which had been carefully prepared in advance for the evenings maneuvers but, he also admitted that such innovation is the way wars are won. However, the Militia will use the incident as a wake-up call to improve their anti-insurgency techniques and urban guerrilla warfare tactics.

In the auditorium, the scene was set with The Officers of The Lexington Minutemen and His Majesty's 10th Regiment of Foot.


Darlene Wigton, in the latest of eighteenth century Red Coat fashion, chats with Connecticut Militiaman, Bill Baldwin, with another one of them damn Brits in the background - re-enactor Lt. Colonel Paul O'Shaughnessey, Commanding Officer of His Majesty's 10th Regiment of Foot.

The beginning of the evening's program of entertainment was opened by traditional military music played by Brian Flanagan and Ed Hurley of The Menotomy Fifes and Drums.


Brian Flanagan and Ed Hurley of the Menotomy Fifes and Drums.

With people generally settled with a glass in one hand and plate in the other, a short program of presentations was initiated by CHS President Arthur Hurley.

Nolan Jones, President of the Middlesex Canal Association handed over to the CHS a collection of books and maps showing the 27 mile route and remarkable history of this Incredible Ditch, which connected the Merrimack River (Lowell) to Charlestown, and operated between 1804 and 1851. The following materials are now part of the CHS archive.


Nolan Jones hands-over to Arthur Hurley the Hoxie canal map.

Jim Conway took the stand to hand-over to the CHS archives, the results of some of his side-research reproduced articles from the Patriot-Bridge dating back over 40 years, which showed the history of the CHS itself, from its inception in 1962 and progression to the present day under the praised leadership of Arthur Hurley, and praise is a commodity that Jim rarely hands-out. In Jim's inimitable style, he was able to embellish the basic journalism of the period, with some of his anecdotes of his time at the helm, he was among the founding members of the CHS, and doubted that any other such initiators were alive, let alone present. This in turn, prompted some heckling from the peanut gallery, with claims of I was there too !!!.

The highlight of the presentations was the hand-over to the CHS from Ellen Wheat, via Captain Tom Coots, also Treasurer of the CHS, of a genuine eighteenth-century sash, worn by Thomas Wheat Sr. at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The sash has presumably been guarded by at least 4 generations of Wheat's until this generous donation. The bright red sash, made of silk and wool, is 112" long and 11" wide, and is in amazing condition. It will remain under the watchful eye of Tom, secure in the vault of The Cooperative Bank, until a suitably secure display case can be arranged at the Museum. The sash represents a major coup for the CHS, and the CHS looks forward to more donations of artifacts and documents to enhance its ability to build interesting displays from its archives.


Captain Coots displays the Thomas Wheat Sr sash.

Finally, in a surprise announcement, George Morton and Captain Coots presented Arthur with an officer's eighteenth-century Commander's Hat, complete with military cockade, as recognition of his efforts to maintain the CHS as a focal point for the history of Charlestown and its residents.


George Morton and Captain Coots present 'The Hurley Hat'.

With the presentations complete, the event took a much livelier turn as four remarkable musicians who had quietly set-up in a corner, revealed just how rich the heritage of Irish music can be.

The CHS membership may not have known who was playing, but could certainly recognize professionalism as they were privileged to hear two members of Rud Eile play a lively seisiun along with two other talented lads.

Colm O'Brien on guitar, hails from Dublin and fronted the famed Celtic rockers "The Prodigals". He has now formed Rud Eile along with colleague Martin Butler, the 2002 USA bodhran champion. Their fiddler was Sean Conners, who teaches traditional Irish fiddle and plays at many local Boston seisiuns. Both he and Martin have their roots in Mayo. They were joined by one of Charlestown's own, Colin Sullivan on accordion.

Their seisun literally kicked-off with another of Charlestown's own, as twelve-year-old Shaelyn Devlin took the floor for a spirited exhibit of traditional step dancing. Shaelyn also briefly fronted her cousin Denis, on the pipes.


Denis Devlin of The Pipes and Drums of Bunker Hill and his cousin, step dancer Shaelyn Devlin.


Martin Butler - bodhran, Colm O'Brien - guitar, Sean Conners - fiddle, Colin Sullivan - accordion.

As the rhythm progressed, members were treated to several impromptu displays of eighteenth-century dance and Irish jigs, as Darlene Wigton, Lt. Colonel Paul O'Shaughnessey, and Tom Coots took the floor. Darlene is a member of the Woburn Militia 1775 re-enactment troupe, and not only graces the dance floor with eighteenth-century elegance, but is also the highly skilled seamstress behind the troupes' accurate period costume, and teaches dance and ballet. (It is not clear whether her multi-talents extend to the Charleyville. No, not a French dance, but the smooth bore musket supplied by the French to the Americans, similar to the British Brown Bess - but there were no volunteers to stand 100 yards away with an apple.)


Darlene Wigton and (Lt. Colonel) Paul O'Shaughnessey take a turn.

Colm and the Lads played up to the very end, as press-ganged volunteers helped clean-up after an evening that had been thoroughly enjoyed by all, with queries about when the next event will take place.

In a brief post-mortem, Tom Coots (in his role as CHS Treasurer), Arthur Hurley, and George Morton commented that this was a first membership event for the CHS, to see what could be achieved with its resources and the support of local donors. While everybody enjoyed themselves immensely, given the current level of paying membership support, it was unlikely that it could be repeated on a regular basis without a significant increase in the society's income, which implied sweeping changes for the way the CHS operated. Issues such as charging for event attendance have already been discussed, as well as significantly boosting the paying memberships in comparison to the number of Life Members. Life members currently comprise around 50% of the membership, and have been the mainstay for the CHS. Most 'Lifers' joined in the early period described in Jim Conway's presentation - many were founding members. But, membership in this category is sadly declining, and it is essential the CHS appeals to both more recent generations as well as the town's many new residents.

The CHS Board of Directors wish to acknowledge and thank the following local businesses for their generous donations that greatly assisted in making the event possible: