Browse Exhibits (3 total)
The Boston Draft Riot
The Boston Draft Riot occured over about a 24 hour period on July 14th of 1863. It began during the second day of the New York City draft riot. It started when a draft officer was assaulted by a crowd. A crowd demonstrated for several hours in front of the District Two police station. It was concentrated mostly in the North End and Downtown neighborhoods. About eight people were killed and several were wounded when rioters attempted to break into the Cooper Street Armory that was being guarded by the military. In the evening, several attempts were made by various groups of rioters to break into downtown stores and steal firearms. The military and police stopped most of these attempts. Overnight, there were attempts at arson, looting and clashes between rioters and authorities. By the morning of July 14th, the riot became subdued and the city returned to normal.
19th Century workers in Salem, Massachusetts
One way to develop a picture of what historic Salem, Massachusetts was like is to examine the workers and the kinds of work that they did. In this exhibit, I examine in detail the 1837 City Directory of Salem. This gives us a glimpse into the everyday lives of Salem's 19th Century residents. It also gives us a pulse on the economy of historic Salem.
Historic Ropemaking in Salem, Massachusetts
Ropemaking has a long and integral history in the small northeastern port city of Salem, Massachusetts. Ropes were a necessary commodity for the construction, functioning and upkeep of the fleets of hundreds of cargo vessels. Ropes, and similar products such as jute bags for holding cotton bales, were commodities manufactured and exported abroad from Salem. This exhibit provides a glimpse into the people, places and economy of historic ropemaking in Salem, Massachusetts.