This week, we’re revisiting the bizarre holiday known as Pope’s Night that was celebrated in early Boston. Having evolved out of the British observation of Guy Fawkes Day, Boston took the event to extremes. The virulently anti-Catholic colonists in our town held festive bonfires, parades, and plenty of drinking. Almost every year, the celebration would lead to massive street fights and riots that sometimes turned deadly, all to commemorate a thwarted plot against the British Parliament. Pope’s Night was the subject of our very first podcast, and we’re happy to revisit it here with better research, more practiced storytelling, and hopefully better audio quality.
Pope’s Night
- A gripping account of printer Isaiah Thomas’ childhood experiences (and injuries) at Pope’s Night in Boston.
- George Washington’s orders banning his soldiers besieging Boston from observing Pope’s Night in 1775.
- A 1973 article about Pope’s Night in Boston from Sherwood Collins.
- JL Bell has been covering Pope’s Night at his Boston 1775 blog for years, check out his extensive archive.
- The header image for this post is taken from a 1768 broadsheet titled “Extraordinary Verses on Pope-Night.”
- The sketches of Boston’s 1767 Pope’s Night below are by Pierre Du Simitière, excerpted here by the Colonial Society of Massachusetts. In the top left corner is the South End float, at bottom right is the North End float. The figures in the lower left are boys who have made miniature pope effigies, and the figures in the center are the leaders of the two gangs.
Featured Historic Site
Located in Waltham, Gore Place is an impressive large-scale Federal mansion and country estate. Home to Christopher Gore, Senator, US Attorney, and Governor, the home featured a hot shower and laundry dryer, incredible innovations for its time. The house was also home to Robert Roberts, the head butler who defined domestic work for generations of Americans. Tour the house, take a virtual tour of the grounds, or the upcoming Sheep Shearing Festival provides a great opportunity to swing by with the whole family.
Upcoming Event
Through April 17th, experience a recreation of what camp life would have been like for the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first regiment of African American soldiers organized in the Union for service in the Civil War. The 54th trained at Camp Meigs, which was located in Readville, part of today’s Hyde Park neighborhood. As part of the celebration of 150 years of Hyde Park’s incorporation, reenactors have set up a full period encampment inside the Menino Art Center in Hyde Park.
A must see, this is a rare and exciting 3D exhibition that visually brings to life what it was like to be part of the historical camp of the brave men who served in the 54th Regiment, the first African-American regiment organized in the northern states during the Civil War. An actual mock camp with tents and period artifacts along with photos will be set up in the hall and rooms at Menino Arts Center. Members of the re-enactors will be on hand during the exhibit to answer questions. This installation and presentation will highlight and educate this important period in US history and Hyde Park history. It is proudly in partnership with the celebration of the Hyde Park’s 150th year of incorporation (1868- 2018).
Gallery hours are available on the Menino Art Center website.