Edward Rowe Snow Recites The Lady in Black

Edward Rowe Snow recites the famous ghost story of Fort Warren in Boston Harbor – the Lady in Black on “The Michael Ambrosino Show,” on WGBH in Boston, 1970.

Steamer Gay Head

The Gay Head was built in 1891 in Philadelphia for the New Bedford, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket Steamboat Co.

The Gay Head was 701 tons, 203 feet long, 34 foot beam, a draft of 5½ feet, with encased paddlewheels.

It was the largest sidewheeler ever operated by the company.

According to a 1961 Vineyard Gazette article:

“Her social hall, ladies’ saloon and toilet rooms were “all fitted in the Neapolitan style, with gold trimmings.” The woodwork was of cherry, and the side seats in the cabins were covered with maroon plush upholstering. The social hall deck was laid with black walnut and maple – its size, too, was imposing, for its length was 50 feet. Above the main deck were the forward promenade and upper saloon, reached fore and aft by “richly carved staircases.” Five state rooms on each side were furnished with willow furniture. The Gay Head could boast a hurricane deck extending from the stern to the pilot house; this was something earlier steamers had lacked.”

The Gay Head was commanded in 1891 by Capt. A. P. Bartow and Capt. G. L. Daggett, and later by Capt. Charles H. Fishback of Nantucket, Capt. Charles H. Coulter (resigned 1909), and Capt. J. W. Merriman.

In July 1898, the Gay Head collided with the steamer while crossing Vineyard Sound in a dense fog. The Nantucket’s bow was badly damaged in the accident.

The Gay Head operated until 1924, after 33 years of operation.

Three Angels – Victorian Death Photo

During the Victorian era most families did not have photos of themselves or their children.  To remember the face of a lost loved one a family would hire a photographer to take a photograph of the deceased family member with the deceased person or a photograph of the deceased person alone.  In many cases they’d stage a scene where the deceased person was set up into a position to feign life.  In other cases photographs were taken of the deceased person on their death bed or in their casket – and in still other cases a parent might cover themselves in a banket and hold the deceased person in position.

Three Angels From Brockton

Medway 1941-1950 in Color!

From the Medway, MA historical collection.  These films were recorded by Stanley Chilson from Franklin, MA.

 

Central Square – Bridgewater

Then & Now: Bourne Town Hall & Soldiers and Sailors Monument

The On-I-Set Wigwam

 

CLICK HERE to go to the On-I-Set Wigwam Spiritualist Camp website

Aptucxet Trading Post – Bourne

 

CLICK HERE to see Bourne Historical Society page for Aptucxet Trading Post

CLICK HERE to see Bourne Historical Society page for Windmill Gift Shop @ Aptucxet Trading Post

 

Buzzards Bay Movie Theater

Mickey Cochrane

 CLICK HERE to read a terrific article from the EAST BRIDGEWATER STAR about Cochrane’s days growing up in Bridgewater.

 

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