CHILDREN'S BOOKS (UNDERGROUND RAILROAD)
By Ann Petry (Revised edition, 2018)
Born a slave, Harriet Tubman dreamed of being free, and she was willing to risk everything. Harriet saw her own liberty was not enough, that she must also help others. An award-winning ALA Notable Book and a New York Times Outstanding Book.
By Ellen Levine (2007)
A stirring, dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom by a Jane Addams Peace Award-winning author and illustrator Kadir Nelson, a Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist.
The home of the United States president was built by many hands, including those of enslaved people, who undertook this amazing achievement long before there were machines to do those same jobs.This powerful story together with Floyd Cooper's stunning illustrations bring to life those who created this iconic emblem of America.
HISTORY
By Clara Silverstein and Sara Leavitt Goldberg with Historic Newton; Arcadia Publishing (2021)
Throughout the early part of the 20th century, Norumbega Park in Newton was the ultimate destination for thrill-seekers and fun-lovers. For 66 years, the park by the Charles River defined recreation and romance. More than 200 photos help you follow the history of the park at the end of the trolley line from its opening through its heyday as a top entertainment venue that included the Totem Pole Ballroom.
By Thelma Fleishman for the Newton Historical Society; Arcadia Publishing (1999)
Incorporated in 1688, Newton has a history as fascinating as it is long. How did this small community of scattered farm houses develop into the "Garden City" with some of the finest examples of nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century domestic architecture in America? More than 200 photographs compiled from The Jackson Homestead, one of Newton's two history museums, tell the city’s unique story.
PRE-1855 NEWTON HOUSES REMAINING IN 1983 Newton Centre, Newton Highlands, Oak Hill, Chestnut Hill.
Publication 14. Newton Historical Society at the Jackson Homestead. Credits: Architectural Survey to Barbara Thibault and History to Thelma Fleishman. A look at some of the buildings shown on the 1855 map from these 5 villages that still remain and information about why this part of Newton, particularly to the south, developed more slowly and why the area remains less densely populated than the rest of the city.
PRE-1855 NEWTON HOUSES REMAINING IN 1980 Newtonville.)
Published by the Auburndale Community Association (ACA)
Edited by Bill Saunders. Second, revised edition, October 1996 (first edition, 1992) with several new photographs.
Two elements elevated Auburndale above other east coast suburbs: an unparalleled recreational area along the Charles River and a central railroad station which was designed by master architect H.H. Richardson. The book gives a history of the neighborhood's development, its architecture, and its social clubs.
William P. Marchione Ph.D. Arcadia Publishing (Reissue edition June 1, 1998)
From the Colonial era through the industrial age and into modern times, the Charles River has been a prominent feature of the New England landscape and has undergone a series of dramatic changes. Find out how the 1970s landmark Clean Water Act helped to transform this much-used waterway.
By Emma Dabiri (2020)
Prominent BBC race correspondent Emma Dabiri explores the ways in which black hair has been appropriated and stigmatized throughout history, with ruminations on body politics, race, pop culture. Through the lens of hair texture, Dabiri leads us on a historical and cultural investigation of the global history of racism and her own personal journey of self-love and finally, acceptance.
by Zora Neale Hurston (2018)
In 1927, the author traveled to Plateau, Alabama, to visit eighty-six-year-old Cudjo Lewis, the last enslaved person known to have made the transatlantic journey. Illegally brought to the United States, Cudjo was enslaved fifty years after the slave trade was outlawed. This profound work of non-fiction is an invaluable contribution to our history and culture. “One of the greatest writers of our time.” (Toni Morrison)
American Radicals (hard cover, non-fiction)
By Holly Jackson (2019)
A dynamic, timely history of nineteenth-century activists--free-lovers and socialists, abolitionists and vigilantes--and the social revolution they sparked in the turbulent Civil War era. The author is an associate professor of English at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Based on the work of Norumbega historian Bob Pollock, the documentary offers a complete history of the famous amusement park. During its heyday, Norumbega Park was one of New England's prime recreational sites and home also to the Totem Pole Ballroom, known as "America's Most Beautiful Ballroom”.
LOCAL AUTHORS
By Lenna Kutner (2015)
The park has been closed for decades, so why is its music reaching the ears of a daydreaming dog named Geti? Will Norumbega’s magic entrap Geti, or will it lead her home? Copies signed by the author!
By Andrew Delbanco (2019)
Fugitive Slaves and the Struggle for America's Soul from the Revolution to the Civil War. “Wherever Slavery existed, so did runaway slaves. Now Andre Dlebanco places those fugitives -- and the laws that tried to stop them -- at the center of the coming Civil War. In this surprising and dramatic history, we follow courageous slaves, outraged masters, righteous and self-righteous politicians, and agonized citizens as they collide with the Constitution of the United States.” - Martha Hodes.
By Marjorie Druker and Clara Silverstein (2007)
Marjorie, who grew up in Newton Centre, shares many local memories in her book as she describes how she became passionate about cooking and started the New England Soup Factory. The restaurant is located in Newton. With more than 100 easy-to-follow, creative recipes, and beautiful photos, this bestselling cookbook makes an ideal gift for any chef, regardless of experience. Co-author Clara Silverstein will sign copies!
by Helen M. Waters (2019)
A Story About Sprout introduces a special individual named Sprout. It tells of his quest to discover what kind of creature he is. What will he find out? A heart-warming story with charming and memorable characters!. This book is illustrated throughout in colored pencil, done by the author herself.
By Beryl Gilfix (2017)
This book explores and celebrates the origins of Newton, Massachusetts' oldest synagogue and the culture and the families who built new lives and a vibrant, still flourishing Jewish congregation. The author is a granddaughter of the founder of the synagogue and a lifelong resident of Newton.
By Gloria Gavris (2015)
This book is a fun A-Z tour of the American electoral process. The Newton-based author hopes to engage the next generation of voters with a love and excitement for election season, one book and one child at a time.
by Howard Zinn (1980; introduction 2015 by Anthony Arnove)
Once a banned book, this look at American history by Zinn, a longtime Newton resident, is now a classic. Read how his “work literally changed the conscience of a generation.” Noam Chomsky.
By Marianne Leone (2017)
A record of growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, with the wrong family, in the wrong religion in the small, blue-collar enclave of Nonantum, locally referred to as the Lake! Although Leone's girlhood is flooded with shame, it's equally packed with adventure, love, great cooking, and, above all, humor as she grows up to become an actress with a role on "The Sopranos."
By Ken Bresler (2018)
This book contains three tours featuring the work of H.H. Richardson, an American master architect. The first is of four buildings in the Copley Square area in Boston. The second tour is of five buildings in the Harvard Square area in Cambridge. The third is a rolling tour, on a train, largely of buildings that no longer stand. Richardson designed four stations on what is now the Green Line of the MBTA in Newton. These four structures in Newton are the only buildings that remain of 13 that Richardson designed.
By Barbara Berenson (2019)
"In her accessible history, Berenson focuses her spotlight on Bay State women who catalyzed the effort to gain women's right to vote on a local and national level.... The book makes a case for determination, perseverance, and patience to bring about necessary change." Boston Globe
By Joseph Rosenbloom (2018)
An “immersive, humanizing, and demystifying” (Charles Blow, New York Times) look at the final hours of Dr. King’s life as he seeks to revive the non-violent civil rights movement and push to end poverty in America.
By Lorenz J. Finison (2014)
From 1877 to 1896, the popularity of bicycles increased exponentially, and Boston was in on it from the start. The sport was becoming a craze. The Boston Bicycle Club was the first in the nation. The city's cyclists formed a new national organization, the League of American Wheelmen. Women members were the largest percent in the 1890's in Massachusetts.
CARDS & PRINTS
Enjoy a Notecard, 4 Postcards and a Magnet of the rare 19th century landscape painting, “View of The Great Curve Near Newton Lower Falls on the Boston & Worcester Railroad." The 1852 painting by Samuel Adams Hudson is part of Historic Newton's permanent collection.
8 cards/8 envelopes. 8 Designs/blank inside. Red Sprays, Violets, Small White Flower, Jack in the Pulpit, Orange Tiger Lily, Yellow Flower, Red Wild Lily, Yellow Pansy. An abolitionist, Ellen Jackson (1825-1902) lived her entire life at the Jackson Homestead. She was also a gifted artist. The watercolors on these cards are from Ellen’s original paintings.
The Durant-Kenrick House, built in 1734 as a Georgian farmhouse, is now one of Newton’s two history museums. These stylized cards show the house and grounds in a variety of five eye-catching views.
Built in 1809, the Jackson Homestead was a way station on the Underground Railroad before it became Newton’s history museum. It now displays exhibits about the history of Newton and the Underground Railroad.
Seven designs from the "HAIRdentity" Exhibition at the Jackson Homestead, with images from the Historic Newton Collection: Ayer’s Hair Vigor, Mermaids, Elise and the Wild Swans, Hair Heart, Latest Styles of Hair Cutting, Male Portraits and Long Hair. (Seven postcards for the price of six!)
By artist, Samuel Adams Hudson (1813-1877) This print features a rare 19th century landscape painting from 1852, a pastoral view from Newton Lower Falls on the Boston & Worcester Railroad, looking north across what is now the Leo J. Martin golf course towards the Charles River and the train tracks. Its themes are of great significance to Newton and its development - the Charles River, the railroad, and farmsteads with orchards and pastures. The painting's recent acquisition to Historic Newton's permanent collection was made possible by 37 donors
GIFTS
Newton-based textile artist Emily Williams creates customized tea towels for Historic Newton, the ultimate functional kitchen item! Each towel contains a reproduction of a Newton map, which tells a story worthy of sharing. Towels make a great gift for family reunions, realtor closings, hostesses and weddings.
This tea towel features an unique, hand drawn map of the Plan of Newton in 1700.
Follow the aqueduct to Crystal Lake on this custom tea towel! Each village has a treasure.
Do you live by the lake or frequent Boylston Street? This tea towel with the 1874 Newton Highland map is the one for you!
Ward 1 on the 1874 Map includes both the Jackson Homestead and the Durant Kenrick House. The map containing both museum locations could be the unofficial tea-towel for Historic Newton.
Naturally framed by the Charles River and the NY and New England Railroad, the tea towel with the 1874 Map of Upper Falls reveals how the area will develop.
8 1/2-by-11 inch high-quality prints of maps from the 1886 Atlas of the City of Newton. See familiar landmarks, such as Crystal Lake, and also learn about early street layouts in Newton. Quantity limited.
Surveyed by EF Woodward and WF Ward, November. 1831; Revised and Corrected by James B. Blake April, 1848. Early layouts for West Newton emerge on this map. By 1848, the Aqueduct, Boston and Worcester Railroad and the Worcester Turnpike cut three strong throughways across Newton. Map measurement: 24 “ x 18”.
This hand drawn bird’s eye view of Newton Centre in 1897 gives a vintage view dotted with landmarks we recognize today, stretching from Crystal Lake along Beacon Street out into the hills.
Map measurement: 28” x 21.
Cats cradle is a classic children’s favourite. Comes with the cat’s cradle cord & full instructions for this classic playground game. A gorgeous innovative envelope is provided for easy storage. Envelope width measures approx: 23cms / 9 inches.
A hilarious all-time favorite. The first prototype was used by a Roman Emperor who was always playing practical jokes on his people! The Whoopee Cushion was invented in 1932 and used as a gag by entertainers including Bob Hope.