Boston Latin School: A Look At Ethnic And Engendered Spaces

Summary

Boston Latin School: A Look at Ethnic and Engendered Spaces

Kathleen von Jena, Boston Landmarks Commission

During the summer of 2015 the Boston City Archaeology Program conducted excavations on the site of the original Boston Latin School and neighboring Schoolmasters house dating to 1635-1748. Boston Latin was the first purpose-built free school in America where Cotton Mather, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams and John Hancock attended. Public Archaeology conducted at this site provided an opportunity to change the traditional narrative away from the illustrious white male alumni of the Boston Latin School to encompass the domestic artifacts of the Schoolmasters house and introduce both women's activities and the presence of African slaves. These discoveries immediately shifted the dialogue of interpretation that encompassed a more inclusive audience and helps to address contemporary issues of race at the still-operating school. 

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018   •
• Schoolhouse Rock! 400 Years of Race, Gender, and Class in Boston Area Educational Institutions

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 772