RPI

Relying heavily on resources from Worcester-based research archives and libraries, Schindler and Slatkin have curated a rich collection of historical images that vividly illustrate Robert Goddard’s visionary life and his enduring connection to Massachusetts.

Robert Goddard, PhD, is widely considered the father of the space age. Born in 1882 in Worcester, Massachusetts, he spent much of his early life in the Boston suburb of Roxbury before returning to Worcester as a teenager. A pivotal moment came during his youth when, while climbing a cherry tree near his home, he envisioned the possibility of space travel—a vision that would shape the course of his life. Driven by this dream, Goddard dedicated himself to making spaceflight a reality. In 1926, he launched the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts, a groundbreaking achievement that laid the foundation for modern rocketry and space exploration. Among his many innovations, Goddard demonstrated that rockets could produce thrust in a vacuum, pioneered the use of scientific instruments aboard rockets, developed the concept of rocket-based weaponry (such as the bazooka), and introduced early methods for rocket stabilization.

Kevin Schindler, historian at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, has authored eight books on science and history. Charles Slatkin, founder and executive director of The Wonder Mission’s Goddard Project initiative, is leading efforts to promote Goddard’s legacy and establish a National Space

Trail. Astronaut Jim Lovell flew to the moon on Apollo missions 8 and 13.

Melville's Inspiration

The Berkshires have long attracted artists and writers, drawn to the mountains, rivers, forests and lakes of western Massachusetts. Herman Melville first came here as a young boy, but was so inspired by the surroundings that he returned to live here for thirteen years, in one of the most productive writing periods of his life. He finished his masterpiece, Moby Dick, in his first year, seated in his study with a view of Mt. Greylock. “His first love,” is the way his cousin described his relationship to his adopted home. Here, he wandered on foot and horseback to all corners of the county, tapping into the Berkshires in his art. The places he explored are sprinkled through the pages in his stories. John Dickson, a volunteer guide both at Arrowhead and in the Berkshire woods, reveals the connections between Melville’s writing and the beauty of the landscape that inspired him.   

Your Guide to American Revolutionary History in Today's Vibrant Boston

From its founding in 1630, "The City on the Hill" has been home to those who seek freedom. Without the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, there would have been no American Revolution.

Sam Adams, John Hancock, and John Adams put Boston in the forefront on the path to Independence and the creation of the United States. Later reformers and trailblazers include Dorothea Dix, who advocated on behalf of the mentally ill, and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted who created the city’s “Emerald Necklace” of parks.

From the Old North Church to the Freedom Trail and the Irish Famine Memorial, follow historian Alison Fortier as she reveals how the history of this city tells the story of our country.

The infamous 1892 murders of Andrew and Abby Borden have captivated New Englanders for over one hundred years. But the story doesn’t end in Fall River. Far beyond the locked doors of the Borden household there is a wider web of people, places, and histories connected to the case. From the investigators who shaped the trial and the reporters who sensationalized it, to the key locations that marked Lizzie Borden’s life and lingering legacy, there is a multifaceted history behind one of America's most enduring true crime stories. There are the lives of other remarkable—and often overlooked—figures linked to the Borden bloodline. Among them are Innocent Borden, the recently discovered daughter of Thomas Cornell, a man who was executed in 1673 for the alleged murder of his mother in colonial Rhode Island. And then there’s Sarah Maria Cornell, a mill worker and distant cousin of Lizzie, whose mysterious death sparked scandal when a prominent Methodist minister was accused of her murder. By weaving these parallel tales of crime, gender, and societal upheaval into the central narrative, local author Sam Baltrusis takes a deep dive into the ultimate whodunit—placing Lizzie’s story within a broader historical and cultural context of rumors, power, and the shifting expectations of women in American society.

Creating an Island Community

Vineyard men and women, Islanders, off-islanders and immigrants contributed their energy and enthusiasm to create the Martha’s Vineyard community.  Generations of businessmen and women catered to locals and tourists, welcoming newcomers to this Island paradise.

Native Americans of the Wampanoag tribe have lived on the Island for thousands of years. Their leaders helped bring the Indians together with the white men, led by Thomas Mayhew, to a peaceful relationship. The founders of Oak Bluffs created a town for both Methodist gingerbread cottages and vacation homes. Whaling captains built the county seat of Edgartown. It was sea captains and shipyard workers who developed the commercial harbor of Vineyard Haven, for centuries a refuge for sailors. 

Presidents Clinton and Obama visited the Vineyard, granting the Island national prominence. The Vineyard is a mix of old businesses and new, of Blacks and whites, of immigrants and Natives, working for a tranquil resort community.

Historian David McCulloch called the Vineyard home. Local John Alley was a leader of the secession movement and Craig Kingsbury’s head made a startling cameo in Jaws.  

Thomas Dresser describes how dozens of Islanders have contributed to the unique atmosphere of Martha’s Vineyard.

How Powerful Storms Shaped Martha’s Vineyard and Its Resilient Spirit

Martha’s Vineyard is no stranger to storms. Its location puts it in the direct path of any weather system moving up the Atlantic coast. In 1635, the Great Colonial Hurricane devastated the island, and the 1898 Portland Gale is well remembered to this day for its fury and death toll. In 1944, Gay Head was isolated when the access bridge was washed away. Other storms included the famous 1938 Hurricane, Carol and Edna in 1954, and the Perfect Storm in October of 1991. Each storm was unique in its creation, impact, and resulting changes in the landscape of the island. Tom Dresser reveals how each of these devastating events affected life on island, and the future dangers posed by an ever-warming climate. 

Millions visit Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market each year—drawn by the food, the shops, and the rich sense of history. But behind the brick and granite walls are stories that most visitors (and even many locals) have never heard.

Faneuil Hall, opened in 1742 as a gift from wealthy merchant Peter Faneuil, was a marketplace and meetinghouse. While vendors sold meat, fish, and produce from first-floor stalls, the upstairs Great Hall hosted fiery debates and spirited gatherings on the issues that helped shape Boston and the nation—from the fight for independence to the struggle for civil rights. By the 1820s, Faneuil Hall could not keep pace with the needs of a booming Boston. Enter Quincy Market, three grand market houses that brought new life to the waterfront. Yet the market was nearly lost in the mid-20th century—until a bold reinvention in the 1970s turned the historic buildings into a national model for urban revival. Packed with colorful characters and forgotten chapters of Boston’s history, this book is perfect for everyone who wants to see the city with fresh eyes.