City Of Boston: Holding Fast: Keeping Traditions Alive In Boston

Press release from the City of Boston:

August 31, 2021

Boston’s neighborhoods are made up of diverse populations each with their own specific histories. Bostonians who emigrated to the City bring their traditions with them. These traditions are often generations old and hold deep meaning.  Boston’s neighborhoods are made up of diverse populations each with their own specific histories. Bostonians who emigrated to the City bring their traditions with them. These traditions are often generations old and hold deep meaning.  In the final part of this two-part series, we look at how Bostonians keep established traditions alive in new ways. Sewing class at the Horace Mann School, 1892, Boston City Archives

Carrying on traditional activities in a new environment provides residents with a sense of comfort in spaces that may not totally feel like home. Virginia Magliaso describes how, for many Italian homes in the North End, maintaining their tradition of gardening served as a grounding force and gave them a way to embrace their history of farming in Italy.

Carrying on traditional activities in a new environment provides residents with a sense of comfort in spaces that may not totally feel like home. Check out this beautiful and detailed 1902

Religious traditions often involve specific rituals. As Jewish residents in Boston who were observing the Sabbath did not light fires, neighborhood children would often light fires for them. Joseph Shapiro, a Jewish resident in East Boston, describes what the Sabbath was like on Chelsea Street and the competitive nature between neighborhood kids who were helping to light fires.

Religious traditions often involve specific rituals. As Jewish residents in Boston who were observing the Sabbath did not light fires, neighborhood children would often light fires for them. Gabe Piemonte also took part in this ritual. He remembers spending his Friday and Saturday nights touring the streets of his North End neighborhood with his brother and lighting fires for their Jewish neighbors.

Take a look at this certification created for the appointment of Rabbi Benjamin Liderman to East Boston’s Congregation Ohel Jacob. Founded in 1893, Ohel Jacob was

Living in a neighborhood rich with traditions creates a space where neighbors can embrace each other’s cultures.

Within a family, traditional activities can be passed from generation to generation in small, subtle ways. Built on kindness and instilled beliefs, these activities happen naturally. Brighton resident Nora White Casey discusses the idea of providing food for those in need and how this tradition is an important part of her daily life. Nora describes how she learned this tradition from her mother who took part in the same activity while living in Ireland.

Within a family, traditional activities can be passed from generation to generation in small, subtle ways. Built on kindness and instilled beliefs, these activities happen naturally. Brighton resident Finding kinship keeps a history alive even far, far from home. Married Brighton residents

Social clubs like the ones in which Aurora and Ideale’s families were a part of existed all over Boston. Take a look at these beautiful program booklets for the Paul Revere Social Club’s 1901 “Second Grand Ball” and the 1902 Unione Eolia Italian Society’s “First Grand Ball.” These programs are from our Scigiliano Family collection.

While traditions change over time as new generations experience them, remembering the history of a tradition is very important. Rabbi Abrams, Cantor Segal, 1944, Boston Public Library

While new spaces bring change to one’s environment and routine, Bostonians prove that cultural traditions have no boundaries. These important practices move and adapt with us, making us who we are. Keeping these traditions alive is vital in not only creating our histories, but sustaining them.

While new spaces bring change to one’s environment and routine, Bostonians prove that cultural traditions have no boundaries. These important practices move and adapt with us, making us who we are. Keeping these traditions alive is vital in not only creating our histories, but sustaining them. Boston skyline, from East Boston, 1975, Peter Dreyer collection, Boston City Archives

This press release was produced by the City of Boston. The views expressed here are the author’s own.