Whaling, lighthouse & Paul Revere among Wellesley Historical Society lecture topics

The Wellesley Historical Society has released its 2015-2016 lecture series schedule. All events are free and will be held at Wellesley Free Library.

Sunday September 27, 2015 2:00 p.m. Wakelin Room Wellesley Main Library	The History of Boston Light Sally Snowman, the 70th keeper of Boston Light, will discuss the history of this famous lighthouse since its construction almost 300 years ago. Boston Light today is a maritime icon and the last manned lighthouse in the United States. Cosponsored by Wellesley Council on Aging.
Sunday October 25, 2015 2:00 p.m. Wakelin Room Wellesley Main Library	The History of American Whaling Curtis Martin, local historian and retired Merrimack College professor, will discuss the history of American whaling. New England was the home of the whaling industry for over 200 years. Professor Martin will discuss its impact on the local economy, as well as the details of the long voyages and the lives of the crew who were the backbone of this fascinating industry.
Sunday February 21, 2016 2:00 p.m. Wakelin Room Wellesley Main Library	Civil War Boston In honor of Black History Month, Barbara Berenson will discuss the history of Boston in the Civil War, with special emphasis on its role as the hub of abolitionism. Ms. Berenson has conducted Civil War walking tours of Boston and has recently authored a book on Civil War Boston.
Sunday April 10, 2016 2:00 p.m. Wakelin Room Wellesley Main Library	The Court Martial of Paul Revere Just in time for Patriots’ Day, local historian and author, Michael Greenburg, will discuss his recent book on Paul Revere’s brief career as an officer in the American Revolution. While most of us know Paul Revere for his “midnight ride” on April 18, 1775, he was also involved in an unsuccessful effort to expel the British from Northern Maine in 1779.
Thursday May 19, 2016 7:00 p.m. Wakelin Room Wellesley Main Library	The History of the Quabbin Reservoir Local author and historian, Michael Tougias, will discuss the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir in the 1930s. While the Quabbin today is a source of water for almost one-half of the people in Massachusetts, its creation involved the destruction of four towns and the displacement of 2,500 residents.