The Marlborough Historical Society

Thinking of all those lost in the service of our country, on this Memorial Day.

We hope to see you all at our booth at the Marlboro Family Fun Festival this coming Sunday May 17th from 11am - 3pm at Ward Park! Ask questions about our city's history, our 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War, and our other ongoing projects!

Are you ready for some fun? Join us May 17th at Ward Park....

Please join us along with the Willie Grout Camp of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War on Sunday April 26 at 10am, at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Marlborough. (Take Crescent up the hill off West Main)

For folks interested in historical clothing, Deerfield's exhibit last fall was fascinating - showing not just the clothes but also the undergarments that gave them shape, and how that changed over time!

The Fugitive Slave Act, signed into law on February 12, 1793 : enslavers and their agents were “empowered to seize or arrest [the] fugitive from labour” and bring him before “any magistrate of a county, city or town corporate” where the fugitive had been found. It would affect people living even here in Marlborough, Shrewsbury and other local towns.

The abolition of slavery in Massachusetts (in the 1780s), the gradual abolition acts of neighboring states, and the 1793 Fugitive Slave Law combined to simulate fugitive traffic to Massachusetts, both from the South and from neighboring states… Benjamin Prentiss was born into slavery in 1760 in New London, Connecticut, and did not fall within the scope of Connecticut’s 1784 gradual manumission act. He escaped to Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, in 1792 and was caught and returned, though it is not known if his apprehension took place before or after Connecticut passed an act that year to free all slaves between the ages of 25 and 45. In February 1793, the month the Fugitive Slave Law passed, he escaped again and settled in Marlborough, Massachusetts, where he was still living in November 1855…” (presumably when he died at age 95). We don’t seem to have record of where he lived.

The Underground Railroad in Massachusetts, 1783-1965 MPS

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Thank you so much to everyone who came out for our event Saturday commemorating the passing of Henry Knox's Noble Train of Artillery through Marlborough 250 years ago. And thanks especially to our speaker J. Archer O'Reilly III for his portrayal and presentation as Col. Henry Knox, and to everyone who came in historical uniform, including the Colonel Henry Knox Regimental Color Guard. Also thanks to our other speakers, Steve LeDuc, Trey Fusillo, John Gately and others. Hosted by: the Marlborough Revolution 250 committee and The Marlborough Historical Society... For those who couldn't attend, someone was recording - I believe WMCT-TV - and I'll repost here when available.

Due to weather, the Knox event has been shifted slightly from 11am to 11:30 and will now take place at the Masonic Building at 8 Newton Street, at the back door off W**d Street.

Please join us on Saturday, January 24th as we commemorate the anniversary of Henry Knox's cannon expedition that travelled through Marlborough. We'll have Marlborough's newly acquired cannon, character portrayals, and a light lunch provided. The kindness of an rsvp is requested so we can have enough for all. See you there!
RSVP: [email protected] or https://form.jotform.com/260154689079064

📣 Join us on Saturday, January 24th as we commemorate the anniversary of Henry Knox's cannon expedition that travelled through Marlborough. We'll have Marlborough's newly acquired cannon, character portrayals and a light lunch provided. The kindness of an rsvp is requested so we can have enough for all. See you there!

RSVP: [email protected] or https://form.jotform.com/260154689079064

The Marlborough Historical Society

I hope you'll join us!

📣 Join us on Saturday, January 24th as we commemorate the anniversary of Henry Knox's cannon expedition that travelled through Marlborough. We'll have Marlborough's newly acquired cannon, character portrayals and a light lunch provided. The kindness of an rsvp is requested so we can have enough for all. See you there!

RSVP: [email protected] or https://form.jotform.com/260154689079064

The Marlborough Historical Society

Merry Christmas to all those celebrating today!