Quick History of Hyde Park

If you missed it the first time, you have one more chance to catch Anthony Sammarco's illustrated lecture on Hyde Park's history, a compliment to his new book Hyde Park Then and Now.  Come down to the Hyde Park Branch Library (35 Harvard Avenue) Thursday October 6, 2011, 6:30pm; the lecture will be held in Menino Hall on the ground floor.    Mr. Sammarco will also be available to sign copies of his book after the lecture.

Capturing the moments

If you're like me, very often your camera's memory card fills up with photos and at the moment of the perfect shot the camera refuses to shoot because the card is full.  After the disappointment of the missed moment, you re-discover the most wonderful shots that you'd all but forgotten about when downloading your photos. 

Case in point is this picture from March of this year.  The Hyde Park Branch Library and its Friends group hosted an illustrated historical lecture given by Margaret R. Sullivan, Archivist for the Boston Police Department, about Horatio Homer, Boston's first African-American police officer.  Ms. Sullivan's presentation offered not only a glimpse of Sergeant Homer's life on the police force, but also insight on the African-American community and the changing politics and attitudes of whites towards blacks in the late 19th century.  Also attending the lecture were 3 reenactors from the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, Company A, including ranking officer Benny White--a founding member, in full costume.  This photo captures a delightful afternoon of learning, first about Sgt. Homer who served in the late 19th century and afterwards as the 54th reenactors circulated and spoke of the African-American soldiers who lived in the middle of that same century.

Photographs illustrate our lives and those of our ancestors.  Whether posed or candid, we catch a quick view of not only the moment itself but also information about the people, place and time of that moment.  What they wear, where they are, and what photo medium is used can help date and place the photo's subject. 

Be sure to

• Store your photographs well away from damp, heat and light; 
• Have your photos digitally scanned if the photo is not too fragile and the opportunity presents itself so that the image is preserved;
• Consult an expert on how best to preserve early photographs on glass and metal if you're lucky enough to have these as heirlooms--NEVER use water or chemical cleaners on them!
• Make back-up copies of your digital photos onto an external hard drive or a CD-ROM, and put these in a safe place away from water and heat--don't leave the single copy in your camera which could be lost or stolen.

And, if you have the opportunity to hear Ms. Sullivan's lecture or to catch the 54th reenactors in action, do go and see them!  :-)

Hyde Park history in February

The following is a small round-up of Interesting dates in Hyde Park history during the month of February:

Before the town's incorporation, Mason residents of the area in the proposed town of Hyde Park petitioned and were granted dispensation of form a lodge.  On February 15, 1866, the first meeting of the Hyde Park Lodge was called to order in a hall on Fairmount Avenue.  Meetings were held here for a year until a hall on the corner of River Street and Hyde Park Avenue could be leased and fitted to Masonic purposes.

The Hermit of Hyde Park, James Gatly, was a native of England who eventually settled in Grew's Woods and was a skilled taxidermist, a profession stemming from his interest in ornithology.  He died on February 2, 1875, at age 65, and his large collection of prepared birds, animals, and reptiles were sold to various buyers near and far.

On the same date of February 2 in 1885, the Young Men's Christian Association was organized in Hyde Park and comprised 13 members.  Last year the YMCA reopened its newly renovated building at 1137 River Street.

One hundred and twenty-five years ago last week on February 15, 1886, massive flooding devastated Hyde Park.  Swollen by snow melt and very heavy rainfall, the Neponset River and Mother Brook overflowed their banks.   Of those situated near these water courses, some eighty or so families had to vacate their homes and many manufacturers and businesses suffered thousands of dollars in losses.  The wooden bridge on Bridge Street was also swept away.

The Norfolk County Gazette published its first issue on February 26, 1870.  Comprised of the Dedham Gazette (est. 1813) and the Hyde Park Journal (est. 1868), the newspaper continued publication in Hyde Park until 1877.


Source:   Memorial sketch of Hyde Park, Mass....  Joseph King Knight, Edmund Davis, and Henry B. Humphrey, compilers.  (Boston: L. Barta and Co., 1888)