“Let Freedom Ring!” A Paul Revere Bell comes to Old South Meeting House ON JUNE 24, 2011, AN 1801 PAUL REVERE BELL WAS CAREFULLY lowered from the belfry of the white clapboard First Baptist Church of Westborough and placed on a truck to begin a journey to its new home in Boston: the Old South Meeting House. 210 years earlier, the same bell had made the reverse journey THE from Boston to Westborough in the DIAL back of a horse-drawn wagon. The story of this remarkable bell began with Samuel Parkman, one of Boston’s wealthiest merchants. Parkman had grown up in Westborough as the 12th child of the Reverend Ebenezer Parkman. His father had served as Westborough’s minister for 58 years as the small Puritan parish grew into a thriving New England village. Samuel Parkman had gone on to make a fortune in real estate and in 1801, at the age of 50, he decided to commission a bell for the town’s meeting house. To order a fitting new bell, Samuel Parkman went to the foundry of Boston patriot and silversmith Paul Revere, at the corner of Foster and Lynn Streets in the city’s North End. Paul Revere had opened the foundry in 1788, and his earliest cast iron items were window weights, grates, firebacks and stove components. By 1792, he went on to make cannons and his first Photography Sterling Julie church bell. By 1801, he had mastered the art of bell casting and his Boston bells were the pride Old South Meeting House presents of New England. A Bell Raising • On August 14, 1801, Mr. Parkman paid $389.33 for an 876 pound bell, the 48th church bell Celebration FALL created by Paul Revere’s Bell and Cannon Foundry. Revere often brought his clients to the October 14-16, 2011 2011 yard of his Charter Street house to test their new bells. One can imagine the dapper Parkman and Join us for activities and • the craftsman Revere standing next to a freshly programming honoring the polished bronze bell hearing its solemn tone for raising of our bell VOLUME the first time. TWENTY-FOUR to our steeple. (continued on page 6) ISSUE THREE A PUBLICATION OF OLD SOUTH MEETING HOUSE 310 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108 • 617-482-6439 • www.osmh.org • Old South Association Director’s Note Board of Managers Buzz Constable Two hundred and ten years ago, Paul Revere forged a bell with a beautiful President tone in his North End foundry. This fall, that very same bell will be raised Judith B. McDonough into the tower of the Old South Meeting House and, after it is connected to the Vice President restored 1766 tower clock, will once more resound as it did in colonial times. Conor McEachern Treasurer The ringing of this historic bell symbolizes the unique role that the James W. Crawford Old South Meeting House plays: this treasured 1729 landmark with a Secretary contemporary mission of civic dialogue and free expression is a vibrant Joel Nordberg part of Boston’s strength today, as well as a treasured part of this nation’s Architect of the Fabric I hope that you history. Our mission to preserve this 18th century meeting house as Thomas R. Appleton Benjamin Sternfield Baum will be part of a visible and active symbol of democratic ideals such as freedom of Shepard Brown assembly and freedom of speech is put into practice all year long. Margaret A. Burnham this revolutionary Outstanding educational programs, exhibits and events draw more than Elizabeth B. Johnson history and vibrant 80,000 children, parents, teachers and visitors from around the world to Patricia Johnston the Old South Meeting House, ensuring that the beautiful architecture Rudolph Kass future by making and dramatic history of this important colonial structure is as relevant Gordon B. King a contribution Jeff Makholm to people today as it was when it was built 282 years ago. Beatrice Nessen to the Old South Jane E. O’Brien I hope that you will be part of this revolutionary history and vibrant Byron Rushing Meeting House future by making a contribution to the Old South Meeting House Nancy S. Taylor 2011 Annual Fund. 2011 Annual Fund. Your support will provide critical funding to reach Rosamond Vaule Susan Wilson children and teachers with acclaimed educational programs, to serve Hiller Zobel visitors to Boston with a carefully preserved historic site and exhibitions, and to Emily Curran inspire audiences with vibrant programming in our beautiful historic structure. Executive Director Your involvement and support are critical to the future of this irreplaceable Honorary Council historical landmark. The Old South Meeting House is an independent non- Dan H. Fenn profit museum and receives no ongoing support from the National Park Service, William Fowler Catherine E.C. Henn the City of Boston or any other outside agency. Each year, we must raise every William Hennessey single dollar of our entire operating budget through earned income, competitive Henry Lee grants and generous contributions from people like you. Your support plays an Pauline Maier important role in preserving one of the nation’s priceless historic treasures and Henry Moss sustaining a cherished heritage of education, free speech and expression. Frederick Stahl Frederick R.H. Witherby Thank you for your generosity. We hope you will be a part of this year’s Annual • Fund and we are deeply grateful for the many other ways that you support Old Staff South Meeting House throughout the year! Jaime Brody Emily Curran, Executive Director Director of Education Karen Costello Director of Visitor Services Emily Curran Executive Director General Information FUNDING Old South Meeting House is an Robin DeBlosi ADMISSION MUSEUM SHOP Director of Marketing and Events independent, non-profit museum Adult $6, Students and Seniors $5, Our shop features unique and funded by individuals like you; Janine Fabiano Children 6-18 $1. Members and affordable items for all ages, Assistant to the Director The Massachusetts Children under 6, free. including books, maps, games, Cultural Council, Zerah Jakub New England-made goods and Visitor Services and The Freedom Trail Ticket (includes a state agency; The exclusive Boston Tea Party Program Assistant admission to Old South Meeting Lowell Institute; souvenirs. Museum Assistants House, Paul Revere House & the The Massachusetts Society Old State House) Available year of the Cincinnati; and other Veronica Boeve EVENT RENTALS round. Adults $13, Children $3 public and private foundations Sarah Cole Create your own history at and corporations. Old South Meeting House, a Scarlett Hoey MUSEUM HOURS unique venue for your meeting, For more information, Jacquelyne Nelson Open daily. Kristin Ponte party, reception, or wedding, call (617) 482-6439 or Natyra Pancsofar April–October 9:30 am–5:00 pm conveniently located in downtown visit www.osmh.org Shawn Quigley November-March 10:00 pm–4:00 pm Boston. For more information, “Like” us on Facebook: Jennifer Rando Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas please call (617) 482-6439 ext. 15. Old South Meeting House Page Eve Day, Christmas and Ask about special members' under Museum/Art Gallery New Year’s Day. discounts! Follow us on Twitter: @OSMHBoston 2 OLD SOUTH MEETING HOUSE ■ THE DIAL ■ FALL 2011 Special Programs for Our Members Only Thursday, September 22, 11:00 am Saturday, October 1, 10:00 am The Hooper-Lee-Nichols House Mothers of Freedom: Walking Tour of Abolitionist Beacon Hill National Park Ranger Tatiana Grant from Boston African American National Historic Site leads a Beacon Hill walking tour that highlights the vital role of African American women and their allies in the struggle for social justice and equality in the years preceding the Civil War. Learn about the critical role these women played on the Underground Railroad and in the Abolition Movement, as well as their contributions to education and community and social services. Free for members and one guest each. Wednesday, November 9, 10:00 am As an extension of the Paul Revere Lecture Series, join us in visiting this hidden gem of Torn in Two: The 150th Anniversary of Georgian architecture – The Hooper-Lee- the Civil War at the Boston Public Library Nichols House. Learn about the Cambridge Join Debra Block, Director of Education at the Historical Society’s innovative investigation Boston Public Library, for a special guided tour of of the home, including paint analysis, Torn in Two: The 150th Anniversary of the Civil dendrochronology, and research through War, an exhibition of Civil War artifacts from the probate records. Discover how this house, The True Issue, or That’s Whats the Matter, library’s special collections. This tour will include believed to date back to 1685, underwent Currier & Ives, New York, 1864 a presentation of 50 historic maps interwoven with architectural transformations between the early 40 photographs, paintings, prints, diaries, political cartoons, music and press of 18th century and the early 20th century. the period. The tour will also include the companion exhibition, Home Front: $5 each for members. Members may bring Boston and the Civil War. 1 guest each at $5 per guest. $5 each for members. Members may bring 1 guest each at $5 per guest. SPACE IS LIMITED AND FILLS QUICKLY. ADVANCE REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED. To reserve, please fill out and mail the form below or call (617) 482-6439 ext. 10. Details on where and when to meet will be given upon confirmation. Become a Member • Sign Up for Old South Meeting House Please choose your membership level Member Tours and Special Programs ■ $35 Individual $ ■ $60 Family $ Name: ■ $100 Friend $ ■ I am a current member Address: HOOPER-LEE-NICHOLS HOUSE TOUR City: State: Zip: ____ No.