Prince Hall - Revolutionary Soldier, Patriot, and Advocate for Civil Rights- Boston, Mass.

Photo by JT Lynch

Prince Hall was a Revolutionary soldier, born a slave in 1735, and freed a month after the Boston Massacre.  He earned his living, in part, as a leather craftsman, and created five leather drum heads for the Boston Regiment of Artillery in 1777.

Mr. Hall was a Bostonian who enlisted, who may have fought at Bunker Hill.  He was a voter, a taxpayer, owned his own leather shop and a house in Boston.  He got involved in advocacy for the rights of Boston’s African American community, and founded the world’s first lodge of black Masons, African Lodge No. 1, now named the Prince Hall Grand Lodge—the African Lodge of the Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons of Boston.  This was the world's first organized society in America devoted to social, political, and economic improvement.  He spoke out against slavery, and spoke out against the lack of schools for black children, and created one in his own home.

He had hoped that blacks who served in the Continental Army during the Revolution would earn full citizenship as a result of their loyalty and sacrifice.

In his senior years, he spoke at the African Lodge in June 1797, about mob violence against blacks: 

Patience, I say; for were we not possessed of a great measure of it, we could not bear up under the daily insults we meet with in the streets of Boston, much more on public days of recreation. How, at such times, are we shamefully abused, and that to such a degree, that we may truly be said to carry our lives in our hands, and the arrows of death are flying about our heads....tis not for want of courage in you, for they know that they dare not face you man for man, but in a mob, which we despise...

Photo by JT Lynch

He died in 1807 at the age of 72.  He is buried at the Copps Hill Burial Ground in Boston, a cemetery on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.  The revolution continues, in South Carolina, and everywhere a human being yearns for Independence Day from those are inhuman.

I wish you all a happy Independence Day.

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Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. 

The eBook and paperback are available from Amazon and CreateSpace, which is the printer. You can also order it from my Etsy shop.

If, however, you wish a signed copy, then email me at JacquelineTLynch@gmail.com and I'll get back to you with the details.

Thoreau at Berkshire Theatre Group - Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Thoreau or, Return to Walden

WORLD PREMIERE
written by David Adkins
directed by Eric Hill
featuring David Adkins
at The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge
The Larry Vaber Stage
Previews: Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19
Press Opening/Opening Night: Saturday, June 20 at 8pm
Talkback: Monday, June 22 after 7pm performance
Closing: Saturday, July 11at 8pm
Tickets: Preview: $42
Tickets: A: $50
Sponsored by: Bobbie Hallig and Leah and Benjamin Barber
BUY TICKETS
Performance Dates
Thursday, June 18 at 7pm (Preview)
Friday, June 19 at 8pm (Preview)
Saturday, June 20 at 8pm (Opening)
Monday, June 22 at 7pm (Talkback)
Tuesday, June 23 at 7pm
Wednesday, June 24 at 7pm
Thursday, June 25 at 7pm
Friday, June 26 at 8pm
Saturday, June 27 at 2pm and 8pm
Monday, June 29 at 7pm
Tuesday, June 30 at 7pm
Wednesday, July 1 at 7pm
Thursday, July 2 at 2pm and 7pm
Friday, July 3 at 8pm
Saturday, July 4 at 2pm
Monday, July 6 at 7pm
Tuesday, July 7 at 7pm
Wednesday, July 8 at 7pm
Thursday, July 9 at 2pm and 7pm
Friday, July 10 at 8pm
Saturday, July 11 at 2pm and 8pm (Closing)
In this world premiere, longtime BTG Alum, David Adkins takes the stage as New England Transcendentalist, poet, and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau. BTG Artist, Eric Hill, who most recently wrote and directed Adkins in the wildly well-received Poe, will direct this production.

The writing of Henry David Thoreau comes to life in this dramatic and uplifting tale as he battles with himself, with his own thirst for blood and for the soul of our American conscience. It's 1859. The Union is on the verge of civil war over the issue of slavery. Passion, politics and prose collide on the shores of Walden Pond when beloved American naturalist and prophet of peaceful resistance learns that freedom fighter and abolitionist John Brown has been sentenced to hang. How did the beloved poet and naturalist, hero of children's books, inspirer of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., and writer of Walden and Civil Disobedience come to write, “I do not wish to kill nor to be killed, but I can foresee circumstances in which both these things would be by me unavoidable (A Plea for Captain John Brown).” When you come to your final moment, will you know that you have truly lived?

Includes brief nudity.

In partnership with The Bookstore in Lenox, MA, David Adkins will read excerpts from Thoreau or, Return to Walden on June 23 at 1pm in the store located at 11 Housatonic Street in Lenox. This event is free to attend and is open to the public.

ANN BLYTH: ACTRESS. SINGER. STAR. - new book

This is to announce my book on the career of Hollywood star Ann Blyth -- ANN BLYTH: ACTRESS. SINGER. STAR.

The eBook is currently posted for "pre-order" on Amazon here.   

You can order the print book from Amazon or CreateSpace, or my Etsy shop.

To order a signed copy of the paperback edition, please email me at JacquelineTLynch@gmail.com for details.  

Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star., is the first book on the career of actress Ann Blyth.  Multitalented and remarkably versatile, Blyth began on radio as a child, appeared on Broadway at the age of twelve in Lillian Hellman's WATCH ON THE RHINE, and enjoyed a long and diverse career in films, theatre, television, and concerts.  A sensitive dramatic actress, the youngest at the time to be nominated for her role in MILDRED PIERCE (1945), she also displayed a gift for comedy, and was especially endeared to fans for her expressive and exquisite lyric soprano, which was showcased in many film and stage musicals.  Still a popular guest at film festivals, lovely Ms. Blyth remains a treasure of the Hollywood's golden age. 

The book contains an in-depth exploration of Ms. Blyth’s long career (including her theatre performances in New England), with detailed appendices on her films, television, radio, and theatre appearances. The 8 ½ x 11 “coffee table” sized book includes over 275 photographs, and is will be available through online merchants, and directly from the author on her website www.JacquelineTLynch.com, or by emailing JacquelineTLynch@gmail.com.

The eBook will be available initially through Amazon, afterwards through other online merchants.

Here are a few interviews and reviews of the book so far:

Laura's Miscellaneous Musings
Hometowns to Hollywood
Twenty Four Frames
Old Hollywood Films
The Junot Files (YouTube)
Java's Journey
Wide Screen World
Vienna's Classic Hollywood
Silver Screenings

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I’ll be speaking and giving a PowerPoint presentation at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site in Springfield, Massachusetts, in celebration of Armory Day on Saturday, June 20, 2015, at noon.  The topic will be “Revolution versus Rebellion” about nineteenth century mill girls, arms manufacturing, inventions, Milton Bradley’s games for soldiers, and author Charles Dickens’ tour down the Connecticut River on a steamboat—the lively world of technological and commercial revolution springing to life in the North during the American Civil War.  The talk will be at noon, part of the day-long festivities of Armory Day.  One Armory Square, Springfield, Mass.  Have a look at the website for more information: http://www.nps.gov/spar/index.htm.  I'll be offering a selection of my books for sale and signing as well after the presentation.  The event is free.

ALSO.....

I’ll be doing a book signing at the Agawam, Massachusetts, Public Library on Monday, June 22^nd at their READLocal author fair from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 750 Cooper Street, Agawam, Massachusetts.  A selection of all my books, fiction and non-fiction, will be available.

Hope to see you there



Upcoming speech and book signings

I’ll be speaking and giving a PowerPoint presentation at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site in Springfield, Massachusetts, in celebration of Armory Day on Saturday, June 20, 2015, at noon.  The topic will be “Revolution versus Rebellion” about nineteenth century mill girls, arms manufacturing, inventions, Milton Bradley’s games for soldiers, and author Charles Dickens’ tour down the Connecticut River on a steamboat—the lively world of technological and commercial revolution springing to life in the North during the American Civil War.  The talk will be at noon, part of the day-long festivities of Armory Day.  One Armory Square, Springfield, Mass.  Have a look at the website for more information: http://www.nps.gov/spar/index.htm.  I'll be offering a selection of my books for sale and signing as well after the presentation.  The event is free.

ALSO.....

I’ll be doing a book signing at the Agawam, Massachusetts, Public Library on Monday, June 22^nd at their READLocal author fair from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 750 Cooper Street, Agawam, Massachusetts.  A selection of all my books, fiction and non-fiction, will be available.

Hope to see you there.

New England Summer Theatre 1941

Some 74 years ago, in May of 1941, the start of the summer season in New England was launched with a huge variety of professional summer stock theatre.  Part of that endeavor included offering apprentice slots to young people for training in acting and the technical aspects of theatre, for which the students paid a fee and worked hard, sometimes along with the greats from whom they learned. These ads are from Theatre Arts magazine, May 1941.

Katharine Hepburn was one of the players at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton, Connecticut, early in her career, and returned as a visiting star in 1941.  Also on the roster that year you see Buddy Ebsen, Ethel Waters, Conrad Nagel, Glenda Farrell, John Beal and others.

The Lake Whalom Theatre was in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and some of their guest stars included Ethel Barrymore, Edward Everett Horton, Gloria Stuart, and Ruth Chatterton.

There were other opportunities with The Nantucket Players on the island, and the Barn Playhouse in New London, New Hampshire, which guaranteed students three speaking parts in professional productions.

These were the day before going to grad school for an MFA in acting.  And before the days of television and remote controls and that living room recliner, where the local playhouse was the place to be on a warm summer evening under, and the with, the stars.

Judy Garland at the Storrowton Theatre, West Springfield, Massachusetts

In early summer 1967, Judy Garland toured New England, and played a week at the Storrowton Theatre tent in the round.  Her concert appearance is described by Ray Kelly of the Springfield Republican in this retrospective piece from MassLive last year.   She stayed at the Schine Inn in Chicopee during her Storrowton engagement.  Judy wouldn't be with us much longer; she died two years later, also in the month of June.  I'd love to hear from anyone who attended those performances.

Tuskeegee Airmen Tribute - Westover Air Reserve Base - Chicopee, Mass.

The famed Tuskee Airmen of World War II will be the focus of a tribute at next weekend's Great New England Air Show at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts.  Here, the press release with information.

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Make Plans to be Inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen
Next Weekend at Westover ARB

 

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron, America’s tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, is bringing its RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit mobile theater and WWII P-51C Mustang aircraft to the Great New England Air Show at the Westover Air Reserve Base May 16 and 17. The exhibit is a unique FREE opportunity for all ages to experience the inspiring story of the Tuskegee Airmen – America’s first black military pilots and their support personnel.

The RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit will be open to the public beginning at 8:30 a.m. In addition, the CAF Red Tail Squadron’s P-51C Mustang will be available for up close viewing while on static display. It is a rare treat for attendees as it is one of only a few like it still flying.

The exciting RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit is a fully functional movie theater featuring the original short film “Rise Above,” designed to take the audience on a journey through time – and then through the air. Visitors get an intimate look at the struggles and challenges faced by the Tuskegee Airmen, who showed extraordinary courage and strength of character as they fought for their right to serve our country during WWII. The theater’s dynamic 160-degree panoramic screen creates the sensation of being in the cockpit soaring above the clouds in the P-51C Mustang, experiencing the excitement and thrill of flying breath-taking aerobatic maneuvers. It’s much more than a history lesson; the Tuskegee Airmen’s ability to triumph over adversity serves as a means to inspire others to RISE ABOVE obstacles in their own lives and achieve their goals.

“The exhibit is truly a one-of-a-kind adventure,” said CAF Red Tail Squadron Leader and P-51C Mustang pilot  Brad Lang. “Kids and adults walk away from this experience with a greater understanding of the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Their story, and that of the CAF Red Tail Squadron, is a means to inspire them to achieve their potential. It’s a message that resonates with all ages because of the unique and interactive way it is told. It’s an experience not to be missed.”

Westover Air Reserve Base is located at 57 Patriot Ave. in Chicopee, Mass. Admission to the Great New England Air Show, and parking on base, is FREE!

About the CAF Red Tail Squadron
The CAF Red Tail Squadron is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to educating audiences across the country about the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first black military pilots and their support personnel. Their three-fold outreach program includes an authentic, fully restored WWII-era P51C Mustang, the signature aircraft of the Tuskegee Airmen; the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit 53’ mobile theater featuring the original panoramic film “Rise Above”; and educational materials and programs for teachers and youth leaders. The CAF Red Tail Squadron is part of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). To learn more about the organization, it’s mission or to become a donor, visit www.redtail.org or follow the Squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cafredtailsquadron.
 
About the Commemorative Air Force
Collecting and flying warbirds for over half a century, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is the largest flying museum in the world. The CAF is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to honoring American military aviation history through flight, exhibition and remembrance. The organization feels this is best accomplished by keeping the aircraft flying. The CAF has approximately 11,000 members and a fleet of over 160 airplanes assigned to 70 units across the country. These units, comprised of CAF volunteer members, restore and operate the planes, which are viewed by more than 10 million spectators annually. Visit www.commemorativeairforce.org or call (877) 767-7175 for more information.