Brown Bag Lunch: Crime and Punishment in Early Massachusetts

A Preview of the Annual Boston Charter Day Celebrations

On September 7th, 1630, the city of Boston received its present name and was made the capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Since 2001, that day has been celebrated in Massachusetts as Boston Charter Day. Wilfred Holton, President of The Partnership of the Historic Bostons, which has been responsible for Charter Day events for nearly ten years, will describe the origin of Boston Charter Day and the many interesting program themes that have been part of the celebrations, such as Women in Early Massachusetts and Built in the Massachusetts Bay Colony: 17th-Century Architecture Adapted to the New World.

This year's Boston Charter Day programming (September 26-30) will focus on the fascinating legal traditions, innovations, and conundrums of early Massachusetts. Crime and Punishment in Early Massachusetts will explore this intriguing topic from many perspectives. Local students will bring 17th-century trials to life through dramatic readings at the John Adams Courthouse Conference Center. A panel discussion tentatively titled "Judicial Legacies from Early Massachusetts" will feature Professor Abigail Chandler from UMass Lowell and Professor Jonathan Chu from UMass Boston. Finally, the topic of "Sin and Punishment in Puritan Churches" will also be on the agenda, and the historical record might surprise you!

Join us to learn more about past and present Boston Charter Day celebrations. www.CongregationalLibrary.org