New Book Releases

Nestled in the town square of Concord, Massachusetts, the windows of the Colonial Inn have gazed upon more than three centuries of bloodstained history.

Known for its role in the American Revolution, the Inn was originally built as three separate buildings with the oldest section of the property dating back to 1716. A stone's throw from Old North Bridge, the Inn is notoriously haunted by the ghosts from its Revolutionary War past. Guests report phantom footsteps, disembodied voices, and spirited soldiers lurking in the shadows of the labyrinthine hallways and empty rooms of this infamous inn.

Local author Sam Baltrusis has worked the graveyard shift at Concord's Colonial Inn trying to unravel the chilling mysteries and lingering legends associated with one of the country's oldest and most haunted hotels.

Cape Cod, one of the nation's oldest regions, can claim many firsts, but not as many as some want you to believe.

Boastfulness, tall tales and plain stretching the truth about history is widely practiced in this tourist mecca. Even esteemed institutions such as churches and historical societies are nimble in the art of gilding the lily. Discover where The Wizard of Oz film really premiered, whether Mercy Otis Warren had a hand in writing the Bill of Rights and who invented the hole in the doughnut. Along the way, you'll find out where the country's oldest Congregational meetinghouse is located, and whether "Mad Jack" was a thieving scoundrel.

Local author and historian James Ellis separates fact from fiction.

Home to the location where George Washington took command of the troops and to America's oldest Ivy League university, Cambridge is a city that feels like a town.

Hasty Pudding meetings were enlivened with mock trials spoofing happenings in Cambridge and among the faculty; by 1860 the trials had evolved into shows. In a corner of the Cambridge Common, across from Harvard Yard, a Gilded Age statue of a Puritan has been toppled several times. Letters home from Robert Kennedy were found stashed on a high shelf in a college room he occupied, over 30 years after he graduated.

From protests to the "Beer Garden Summit", author Jane Merrill shares the stories behind notable landmarks and some significant but little-known facts in and around town.

When Pres. John F. Kennedy established the Cape Cod National Seashore in 1961, it was acclaimed as the "finest victory ever recorded for the cause of conservation in New England."

When erosion and overdevelopment threatened the Cape, the idea of a national seashore took hold, forever protecting this treasured place. The park preserves 44,000 acres of forest, marsh, bog, and ponds, and a 40-mile stretch from Provincetown to Chatham, which Henry David Thoreau called the "Great Beach." Unlike other national parks at the time, the Cape Cod National Seashore was created from a combination of private, town, state, and federal lands. Cape Cod National Seashore: The First 50 Years captures the political drama of the creation of this extraordinary seashore. Images detail an early Native American presence and the romance of whaling, shipwrecks, lighthouses, windmills, and dune shacks.

This fascinating photographic history tells the story of Hudson, a peaceful New England town with a rich history.

The first resident of Hudson, John Barnes, came to the area in 1698 and built a gristmill by a waterfall on the Assabet River. Later, a sawmill was built, followed by several small industries that huddled around the mill. By 1850, railroads came to the area, now called Feltonville, as did many factories. In 1886, the area became the Town of Hudson, and it continued to grow with modern factories, a more diversified industry, banks, schools, and a wonderful new town hall. The people of Hudson have always had an exemplary pride and courage in times of struggle. During the Civil War, several local homes were stations in the Underground Railroad, and many Hudson men took up arms to defend abolition. In 1894 disaster struck when a fire grew into an inferno and destroyed more than 40 buildings in the heart of the town. The same citizen zeal and courage that originally built the town built a new town to rise in place of the ashes.

Discover the story behind the Nantucket Civil War Monument, King Alcohol and more in Hidden History of Nantucket.

The celebrated history of Nantucket's great whaling days often overshadows the fascinating changes that took place in the years following. Learn about some named on the Civil War Monument, some left off and some who may not belong. Meet the Cold Water Army of seven hundred schoolchildren who paraded against King Alcohol in hopes that the island would become a temperance oasis. Little remains of the bathing pavilion and water slide of the long-lost town of Coatue that once had big plans for expansion. With surprising facts and captivating tales, authors Frank Morral and Barbara Ann White explore these and other lost accounts of the faraway island.

Looking through the eyes of the camera, we can glance back to a long-gone, quieter, and gentler rural past in the towns of Rehoboth, Swansea, and Dighton.

This significant new pictorial history features many previously unpublished photographs that capture the small-town agricultural intimacy of the area before its transition during the middle and latter parts of the twentieth century to a less agricultural, semi-suburban setting. The period between 1850 and 1950 represents a century of significant change for these towns, and the photographs presented here seek to capture some of the area's lost flavor and texture. This volume features wonderfully nostalgic and rare views that have, for the most part, gone unseen by the general public.

The maritime history of Cape Ann, on the northern coast of Massachusetts, is filled with stories of heroism, adventure, and human endeavor.

The lighthouses and lifesaving stations surrounding Cape Ann since the late 18th century have served to protect and safeguard the area's mariners and major industries. Fishing, shipbuilding, and granite quarrying businesses all flourished under their watchful eyes. They provided artists with spectacular subject matter and attracted tourists from around the world to visit them. This book highlights the heroism and dedication of the lighthouse keepers and lifesaving surfmen who served. Cape Ann is famous for being the home of America's oldest seaport in Gloucester and America's most painted building, Motif No. 1, in Rockport.

Author and historian Anthony Sammarco reveals the fascinating history of Boston's beloved Jordan Marsh.

Jordan Marsh opened its first store in 1851 on Milk Street in Boston selling assorted dry goods. Following the Civil War, the store moved to Winthrop Square and later to Washington Street between Summer and Avon Streets. The new five-story building, designed by Winslow & Wetherell, unveiled the novel concept of department shopping under one roof. It attracted shoppers by offering personal service with the adage that the customer is always right, easy credit, art exhibitions and musical performances. By the 1970s, it had become a regional New England icon and the largest department store chain in the nation.

Discover within these pages little-known facts about the USS Albany, the U.S. Navy's oldest commissioned warship, USS Constitution, and the WWII destroyer, USS Cassin Young.

The photographs in this exciting new volume illustrate the history of the Charlestown Navy Yard from the late nineteenth century through the twentieth century. Founded in 1800, the yard was oneof the first military shipyards in the United States.Charlestown Navy Yard celebrates the life of the yardthrough one hundred years of photographs, showing thedramatic changes that took place during the transition from wood to steel ships. Charlestown Navy Yard's history is preserved in these images, which include rare views of buildings past and present and snapshots of shipyard workers in the Ropewalk, on the ships, and in the Forge Shop where die-lock chain was developed.

The most respected of firearm companies, Smith & Wesson explores the guns and company history from 1852 to to 1965. Rarely seen historical photographs, advertisements, and company documents culled from the company archives, museums collections, and the private collections of Smith & Wesson collectors make this a must for every gun collector and admirer.

Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson shared a dream of manufacturing a firearm that could fire repeatedly, using a new and self-contained cartridge. In 1852, the dream became a reality with the founding of Smith & Wesson Firearms Company. Over the next 154 years, the company grew to be one of the most innovative and respected firearms manufacturers in the world. The story of Smith & Wesson is not only about two knowledgeable and enterprising men but also the story of generations of creative and dedicated men and women. The spirit of innovation generated by the partners has long outlived them. Today Smith & Wesson is synonymous with quality, performance, and durability. Smith & Wesson explores the company history, its people, and significant products from the partners' first venture in 1852 to the sale of the Wesson family business in 1965. This book features rarely seen historical photographs, advertisements, and company documents culled from the company archives, museums collections, and the private collections of Smith & Wesson collectors.

Baseball on Cape Cod chronicles through pictures the rich heritage and tradition of the game from its earliest organized beginnings to today's high-profile players. Every summer, fans from across the country flock to the Cape for some of the finest amateur baseball in the nation.

In rare and historic images, the stories and memories of the Gateway to Cape Cod come to life.

Bourne is considered the gateway to Cape Cod. Whether one travels across the Bourne Bridge or the Sagamore Bridge to gain access to the Cape, the town of Bourne is inevitably en route. In 1884, Bourne was separated from the town of Sandwich and has grown into a community of distinct villages, including Buzzards Bay and Bournedale, Sagamore Beach, Sagamore, Bourne, Monument Beach, Pocasset, and Cataumet. Uniting all these communities is the Cape Cod Canal, which opened in 1914. Over the years, Bourne's economy has been bolstered by the cranberry industry, the iron foundries, and the Holway Axe factory. The Keith Car & Mfg. Co. began a booming business in town, starting by making covered wagons and eventually manufacturing railroad cars. From the dude train that brought men from the cities to join their families on weekends to the hotels, beaches, and seafood restaurants that catered to them, Bourne shares photographs of what life was like for visitors and residents of this tight-knit community.

Thousands of restaurants have come and gone on Cape Cod over the past century. Some, however, made an indelible mark.

Author Christopher Setterlund details the history of the iconic establishments of the Cape, still fresh in the memories of patrons, complete with famous recipes. Bill and Thelma's was hugely popular with students from the 1950s to the 1970s, often packed with locals after sporting events and dances. Starbuck's Restaurant in Hyannis featured the Chief Justice Warren Burger Burger and the Larry Bird Burger on its menu and boasted of the soup du jour, ""We don't know what it is, but we have it every day."" Opinions differ on how the Reno Diner actually got its name, whether from a broken sign or a local appliance company. This fun collection is sure to arouse some fond memories of these old eateries, and perhaps a little hunger too.