Donna A. Seger

Oh my goodness, so creepy.

Anti-First AND -Second amendments---that's an unusual combination!

Knox Sunday

I know, there was a big football game yesterday, and I watched half of it at an actual party but the day was reserved for Col. Henry Knox. I've been watching online as commemorations of Knox's Noble Train of Artillery moved across large swaths of New York and Massachusetts on its way…

Ha! Of course....

I am so worried that all of the amazing 250 projects and initiatives that have been undertaken at the local and state level will be overwhelmed by stuff like this.

And his own food! Who brings their own food to Italy? If he did nothing else awful, that would be enough to indict him.

Thank you, @genbird8.bsky.social!

There is indeed! My colleagues at Salem State and I just published a book for Salem's 400th this year with a whole chapter on the Revolution--it had never been written! 1692 conquers all in Salem.

Learned so much from your book!

The Problem with Sugar

I have either written, edited, or read all of the essays that make up Salem's Centuries many times over these past three years as they have taken shape but now that they're all together in a published book I read them again last week, as I wanted to see how the book held up,…

You can paid---$50---to watch it in Boston, but you must stay for the entire film.

I got to write about Hugh Peter in our new book Salem's Centuries---a rather dramatic bio because of his connection to King Charles' execution #otd. Salem's fourth pastor became "Salem's Regicide" (the news that the King hadn't been executed didn't reach New England until June).

OMG, thanks for sharing!

Absolutely, well said.

Frosty Salem

So I was going to bring you some photographs of Salem during yesterday's snowstorm today, but that would have necessitated actually going out and walking around, and just a few steps from my backyard out onto Chestnut Street at midday were enough to convince me that I didn't want to…

What lying fucks they all are.

Salem Ladies 1876

I think I've previewed the "anniversary year" for quite a few years on this blog in Januarys past, but this particular year is going to be so dominated by the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution (nationally) and Salem's 400th anniversary (locally) that I decided not to.…

400 Years of Salem, MA History This week in North Philly Note, Donna Seger and Brad Austin, coeditors of Salem’s Centuries, write about the history of a city that should be known for much more than just witches. If one loo…

Here's an overview of our new book out from @templeunivpress.bsky.social: Salem's Centuries: New Perspectives on the History of an Old American City. 2026 is the 400th anniversary of Salem's European settlement, and its history is more than "witches": templepress.wordpress.com/2026/01/14/4...

Same. And I will do the same.

Gave this to my father, a poet himself and a retired English professor, for Christmas and he really loves it!

Minority Report

Provocative title, yes? It's not mine. A very different presentation for me today: a very short post, with no pictures and very little analysis on my part. Basically I just want to offer you a link, to the Minority Report of the two historians appointed to the City Seal Task Force,…

The director of the Kennedy Center. I can’t imagine why nobody wants to perform there.

Ok, thanks.

I'm confused--isn't that 25 Cottage? And I wonder what local historic district protection means in this case.
www.brooklinema.gov/DocumentCent...

Wonderful, congratulations! My husband is working with the same company on the historic courthouses here in Salem.

Very, very, very interesting---I've been there.

Salem’s Centuries

Yesterday I received three copies of Salem's Centuries. New Perspectives on the History of an Old American City, and Tuesday is publication day, so I thought I'd provide an introductory post. The crucible of this book is definitely this blog, so I want to thank all of its…

Ok, thanks.

Thanks for the heads up! One of five 17th century valuables cabinets made by the Symonds shop of Salem, MA: the Peabody Essex Museum has one from a couple of years later owned by the Pope family. Maybe a Salem to New Salem story?

Finishing my 2025 Books

I'm still working on the fall version of my 2025 reading list even as the year draws to a close. I certainly won't finish it by the end of the year, but I have a LONG break ahead of me as I have a sabbatical for the spring semester! Lots of great books coming out next year…