J. L. BELL is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. He was consultant for an episode of History Detectives, and contributed to a display at Minute Man National Historic Park.

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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

A Lincoln Lecture and Some Links

Tonight the Lincoln Minute Men will host an illustrated lecture by Concord Museum Curator David Wood and Skinner militaria expert Joel Bohy on the museum’s new exhibit about 19 Apr 1775. I understand the talk will be organized around the theme of how the artifacts on display, some for the first time in years, illuminate the timeline of that day. That event starts at 7:30 P.M. in Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Road, Lincoln, and is free and open to the public.

Alas, I have to miss that talk because of a prior commitment. If you’re in the same boat, the meager substitute I can offer are links to some online articles I’ve written elsewhere this month:

2 comments:

G. Lovely said...

I read the Revere piece, but it kinda strikes me like the old SNL skit's query "What if Eleanor Roosevelt could Fly?" Yeah, what if? As Fischer makes clear it was the long months and years of organizing and planning that were the significant and effective act, not one ride.

While personalizing the events of that night make them more engaging, shouldn't we see the rebels as far too shrewd to let their hopes of success, or even the general shape of events, ride on the back of one horse?

J. L. Bell said...

That's one of the points I was hoping to make with that essay, that putting so much focus on Paul Revere because he left us great sources and a great story obscures the backup systems (in fact, Revere himself was a backup) and the many other people acting independently of him.