Daily Archives: October 24, 2012

Wednesday, November 7, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Uncovering Voices from the Back Stairs

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Historic New England and the New England Historic Genealogical Society will present a program entitled Uncovering Voices from the Back Stairs on Wednesday, November 7, beginning at 6 pm at the New England Genealogical Society’s headquarters at 99 – 101 Newbury Street in Boston. The event is free to HNE and NEHGS members, $5 for non-members.

Although domestic servants made everyday life in grand homes possible, their identities and roles within the household have long been hidden. Jennifer Pustz, museum historian at Historic New England and author of Voices from the Back Stairs, illustrates the diversity of domestic service in New England over the nineteenth and twentieth centuries by focusing on Castle Tucker, Roseland Cottage, and the Codman Estate. Archival materials illustrate the lives of servants and relationships with their employers.

Following this lecture, Marie Daly, director of the library at New England Historic Genealogical Society, demonstrates how anyone can research their family history, including hard-to-trace ancestors such as servants, immigrants, and members of the working class. She will highlight both online and on-site research venues, bringing to light the sources that can help piece together your family story. Co-sponsored with New England Historic Genealogical Society.

Registration is required. Please call 617-994-5959 for more information. Purchase tickets now by clicking here.

Thursday, October 25, 7:00 pm – Skulls: An Exploration of Alan Dudley’s Curious Collection

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In Skulls, Simon Winchester presents a spellbinding exploration of an obsessive collector of over 300 animal skulls, including amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles and tells the rich and fascinating story of skulls, both human and animal, from every perspective imaginable. Hear him speak at Porter Square Books, 25 White Street, Cambridge, on Thursday, October 25 at 7 pm. For more information, visit www.portersquarebooks.com, or email ellen@portersquarebooks.com. You may also call 617-491-2220.

At the center of Skulls is a stunning, never-before-seen-in-any-capacity, visual array of the skulls of more than 300 animals that walk, swim, and fly. The skulls are from the collection of Alan Dudley, a British collector and owner of what is likely the largest and most complete private collection of skulls in the world.

Winchester is the acclaimed author of many books, including Atlantic, The Professor and the Madman, The Man Who Loved China, A Crack in the Edge of the World, and Krakatoa. Those books were New York Times bestsellers and appeared on numerous best and notable lists. In 2006, Mr. Winchester was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by her Majesty the Queen. He lives in Manhattan and in western Massachusetts.