Boston, England: Then (1618) and Now (2018)

It’s a seaside city with a South End, a Fens, a Boston College, and even a place called Cheers – as you might have guessed, it’s called Boston…but it’s 3,000 miles away from the one in Massachusetts!

The Partnership of Historic Bostons was formed to recognize the unique relationship between Boston and its English namesake city.  Join visiting dignitaries from Boston, England, for a panel discussion about our “parent” town and its challenges through the years.  We’ll begin 400 years ago with the Great Migration of 1618-1640 and continue through to the intricacies of the upcoming Brexit.

An RSVP for this event is requested but not required at http://puritans2018_england.eventbrite.com.

About the panel

Moderator Robert Allison is a Professor of History at Suffolk University and the Harvard Extension School, and is the Chair of the History Department at Suffolk University.  He has written multiple books exploring various facets of Boston (USA) history, and is president of the South Boston Historical Society, vice president of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, and a fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society.

Councilor Alison Austin represents the Ward of St. Thomas’ and has served the Borough of Boston since March 2007 during which time she also served as mayor. Her current term of office also ends February 2019. Ms. Austin also serves as a Governor of the Boston Grammar School Foundation. The Boston Grammar school served as a model for the Boston Latin School in Boston, MA.

Councilor Richard Austin represents the Parish of Wyberton and has served the Borough of Boston since March 2007 during which time he also served as mayor. 

Barry Cotton is a PHB Trustee and direct descendent of Rev. John Cotton.  Barry is a historian and is currently working on three books: a biography of Rev. John Cotton, a work titled: TALES OF TWO BOSTONS: How Boston UK Impacted the Founding of Boston USA, and one called COME O COME EMMANUEL: How Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, Helped Shape 17th century New England.

Neil Wright was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, and is a historian of that town.   Since 1964 he has written many books and articles about the history of that Boston and the wider history of Lincolnshire, which is the second largest county in England. On three occasions he has been Chairman of the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology, which was founded in the 1840s.  He is currently writing a book on Boston, Lincolnshire, in the Georgian period, from 1766 to 1852.

About the event series

Every fall, in honor of the naming of Boston, the Partnership of Historic Bostons hosts a series of free events exploring an intriguing aspect of Puritan life.  This year’s theme is From Theology to Commerce: the First Three Generations of 17th-century Boston.

To see a list of the entire series of FREE events, please visit http://historicbostons.eventbrite.com

Image: "Bridge over the Witham" from From 'Homes of our Forefathers in Boston, Old England, and Boston, New England', Edwin Whitefield, 1889.