What Was Duxbury Like in 1883?
(3/24/2019): Produced for the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society’s 135th anniversary celebration in 2019. Brief introduction to Duxbury’s history and to the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society.
View the video (3 min): https://youtu.be/bEKoSUaISSo
Link: Duxbury in Brief, A Historical Sketch, https://duxburyhistory.org/local-history/
Book & Collections Club: Chiquinho by Baltazar Lopes
(4/08/2021): Book and Collections Club Meeting: Chiquinho by Baltazar Lopes. A semi-autobiographical account of a young Cape Verdean immigrant’s life, with insight into the experiences of many Cape Verdeans who moved to Duxbury in the early 1900s. Discussion led by DRHS Archivist and Historian, Carolyn Ravenscroft and Museum Collections Manager, Melanie Correia. Special guest: Dr. Carlos A. Almeida, one of the translators of the book.
View the video (1 hr 10 min): https://youtu.be/h2HKhf6I9R0
Do you have a story related to the Cape Verdean residents of Duxbury? Do you have family treasures or pictures you’d like to show us? We would love to hear from you! Please contact Melanie Correia at 781-934-6106 (mcorreia@duxburyhistory.org). Thank you!
Bradford Symposium 2021: Social Justice in Northern History
(3/21/2021): Kyera Singleton, Director of the Royall House & Slave Quarters in Medford, Massachusetts, speaking on “Social Justice in Nothern History” at the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society, Bradford House Symposium, March 2021. Important note: copyrighted material belonging to the Royall House, shown at the original program, has been removed from this recording.
View the video (56 min.): https://youtu.be/h2HKhf6I9R0
Duxbury in 1918: Flu Rages

(6/29/2020): Duxbury in 1918 was a little town on the brink of something big. In 1918, the flu pandemic would change not only the town, but the nation at large. Learn about these years from the perspective of one small, New England town. Researched and narrated by Duxbury Town Historian, Tony Kelso.
View the video (1 hr): https://youtu.be/vevYv9fcDac
Charlotte Bradford: Duxbury’s Civil War Nurse
An introduction to Charlotte Bradford’s Civil War nursing career, an utterly unique American experience and one that makes Charlotte Bradford one of the most interesting documented people in Duxbury history. Bradford, a native of Duxbury, Massachusetts, served more than 3 years during the Civil War, first as a matron on hospital transport ships for the U.S. Sanitary Commission, and later as a U.S. Army Nurse under Dorothea Dix in military hospitals in Washington, D.C. She then served as the Matron for the Home for Soldiers and the Home for Wives & Mothers in Washington, D.C., providing critical support services to soldiers and their families. The story of the Bradford sisters, including Charlotte, is featured at the Re-imagined Bradford Museum, a property of the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society. The family’s archives and personal belongings are also a part of the DRHS collections, including the Civil War diaries and notebooks referenced in this film. The Bradfords were also noted anti-slavery advocates (abolitionists).
View the video (21 min): https://youtu.be/Bttt0U2gpS4
The Magnificent Gilded Wrights
The history of the Wright family, their “Vanderbilt-like” wealth, and their influence on Gilded-age Duxbury, Massachusetts. In 1909, Georgianna Wright gave the building that would become the Duxbury Free Library (today the DRHS Drew Archival Library and the Duxbury Student Union). Research and narration by Duxbury Town Historian, Tony Kelso. Presented via the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society, 2020.
View the video (1 hr): https://youtu.be/x_FvkjoxRak
Duxbury’s Women at Sea: Women Who Sailed in The 19th Century:

(4/1/2020): During the 19th century, Duxbury sea captains sailed to foreign ports around the globe, and many Duxbury women joined their husbands at sea, sometimes bringing their children. This presentation explores their exciting, exotic, and sometimes harrowing tales. Original research presented by Carolyn Ravenscroft, Archivist & Historian for the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society.
Online exhibition: https://duxburyhistory.org/duxburys-women-at-sea/
Tree of Knowledge, Chandlerville, Tarkiln & Fordville, Neighborhood Virtual Tour:

Virtual Tour of the Tree of Knowledge, Chandlerville, Tarkiln & Fordville areas in Duxbury, Massachusetts and their history. Featuring Duxbury Town Historian, Tony Kelso. Recorded live via meeting link December 4, 2020.
View the video (1 hr 8 min.): https://youtu.be/_B8-8h2CNeU
Powder Point Bridge Virtual Tour:

Virtual Tour of the Powder Point Bridge in Duxbury, Massachusetts and its history. Featuring Duxbury Town Historian, Tony Kelso, and Duxbury Rural & Historical Society’s Archivist & Historian, Carolyn Ravenscroft. Recorded live September 27, 2020.
View the video (42 min.): https://youtu.be/GqOn09VXZ08
Tinkertown Virtual Tour:

Who were the original inhabitants of this little village, and how did it get its funny name? Join Duxbury’s Town Historian, Tony Kelso, as he takes you on a virtual tour of Tinkertown, Duxbury. After listening, we encourage you to take a drive to visit this well-preserved, historic village (off of Elm St.). Recorded live, October 25, 2020.
View the video (57 min.): https://youtu.be/b2hRBdZrc3o
A Driving Tour for Families, Featuring Properties of the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society

Kids, grab your adults and hit the road for a driving tour of Duxbury, highlighting some major spots in Duxbury, including a few properties owned by the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society. With easy instructions, fun facts, and hints at more to learn, this driving tour is sure to give your family a fun, “socially-distant” afternoon exploring our community. After all, Place Matters!
Download your free printable brochure here: Family Tour Brochure. We recommend that you print your brochure “double sided” for best effect. The DRHS supports all CDC-recommended guidelines for “social distancing.” Please be safe.
In the Days of King Caesar:
“In the Days of King Caesar:” the Weston Estate on Powder Point in Duxbury, Massachusetts. An introduction to the world of Ezra Weston II (“King Caesar”), one of the most successful shipbuilders and merchants in early 19th century New England. Today, Ezra Weston’s home is a historic house museum owned by the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society, and is available for visitation as well as Bumpus Park across the street (the remains of Weston’s wharf).
2011 video production design and animation: Bryan Felty; Narration by Carolyn Ravenscroft; Written and Produced by Patrick Browne; A Good Bones Production. Presented 2011 by the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society. Learn more about the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society at www.duxhisttxnfix.mystagingwebsite.com. © 2020 Duxbury Rural & Historical Society, all rights reserved.
View the video (11 min): https://youtu.be/GcBCrAoWW3g
Re-imagining Bradford: The Four Bradford Daughters, Lives Well-Lived

(3/24/2020): Take a “mini tour” of the Re-imagined Bradford House (Duxbury, Massachusetts) and learn about the new exhibition, “Four Bradford Daughters: Lives Well-Lived.” Executive Director, Erin McGough, will introduce you to the organization, the house and its history, and the award-winning project which was completed in 2017. Themes: women’s history, social history, Civil War, nursing, aging, health and medicine, disability, 19th century social movements, anti-slavery, temperance.
This presentation was first given to the Wisconsin Historical Society’s webinar series for colleagues and professionals in the museum field, March 2019.
View the video (35 min): https://youtu.be/yOhsQTkS4vc
Information on Visiting our Historic Houses: https://duxburyhistory.org/visit-historic-houses/