The Canton Historical Society is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a significant grant from Meet Boston for its groundbreaking project, "Samuel Dunbar: The Unsung 'Eldest Son of Liberty' and Cornerstone of the Patriot Cause – Conserving and Digitizing American History - the Rev. Samuel Dunbar Diary." This vital funding will support several key initiatives, including educational materials, digital archiving, conservation of primary source material, and a special exhibition.
The grant will enable the Canton Historical Society to undertake the critical work of digitizing the original Samuel Dunbar Diary, a fragile and invaluable firsthand account of the work and service of Samuel Dunbar. This crucial project will ensure the long-term protection and preservation of this irreplaceable document, create a fully accessible digital text for researchers and the public, and provide for the essential archival cleaning and stabilization of this significant archival artifact.
Rev. Samuel Dunbar, known alternately as the "Son of Thunder" and the "Son of Consolation," played a pivotal, yet often understated, role as the "eldest Son of Liberty." He was an unwavering presence throughout the extraordinary events leading to the birth of our nation, offering solace during the darkest hours and leading celebrations in times of triumph. Living to witness the victory he so tirelessly sought, Dunbar's powerful voice echoed the spirit of the Revolution when he publicly read the Declaration of Independence from the pulpit in Stoughton, the town that would become Canton. The Dunbar Diary stands as a vital, firsthand account of this transformative era, chronicling not only his life and ministry but also offering invaluable insights into the burgeoning revolutionary fervor.
“We are incredibly grateful to Meet Boston for their generous support,” said George T. Comeau, President of the Canton Historical Society. “The Rev. Samuel Dunbar Diary is a cornerstone of our collection and a critical piece of American history. This grant will allow us to bring Dunbar’s story to a wider audience, ensuring that his profound contributions to the Patriot Cause are finally recognized and understood.” The grant is part of Meet Boston’s commitment to enhancing Greater Boston organizations' capacity to showcase the region's crucial role in the American Revolution during the Nation’s 250th commemoration.
The project encompasses a comprehensive conservation plan for the Dunbar Diary and the creation of a custom archival case to protect this document. In addition to the conservation efforts, the grant will facilitate the creation of a full digital archiving of the diary. The project will culminate in a public event highlighting the project and raising awareness of Dunbar’s rich history, followed by a recognition event hosted jointly by the Canton Historical Society and the Stoughton Historical Society. A special public exhibition highlighting Samuel Dunbar's Diary and the life of this foundational patriot is also planned.
Comeau added that “by safeguarding and sharing the Samuel Dunbar Diary, the Canton Historical Society will illuminate the profound contributions of this foundational patriot and deepen our understanding of the local and national forces and people that forged the United States of America.”
The grant will enable the Canton Historical Society to undertake the critical work of digitizing the original Samuel Dunbar Diary, a fragile and invaluable firsthand account of the work and service of Samuel Dunbar. This crucial project will ensure the long-term protection and preservation of this irreplaceable document, create a fully accessible digital text for researchers and the public, and provide for the essential archival cleaning and stabilization of this significant archival artifact.
Rev. Samuel Dunbar, known alternately as the "Son of Thunder" and the "Son of Consolation," played a pivotal, yet often understated, role as the "eldest Son of Liberty." He was an unwavering presence throughout the extraordinary events leading to the birth of our nation, offering solace during the darkest hours and leading celebrations in times of triumph. Living to witness the victory he so tirelessly sought, Dunbar's powerful voice echoed the spirit of the Revolution when he publicly read the Declaration of Independence from the pulpit in Stoughton, the town that would become Canton. The Dunbar Diary stands as a vital, firsthand account of this transformative era, chronicling not only his life and ministry but also offering invaluable insights into the burgeoning revolutionary fervor.
“We are incredibly grateful to Meet Boston for their generous support,” said George T. Comeau, President of the Canton Historical Society. “The Rev. Samuel Dunbar Diary is a cornerstone of our collection and a critical piece of American history. This grant will allow us to bring Dunbar’s story to a wider audience, ensuring that his profound contributions to the Patriot Cause are finally recognized and understood.” The grant is part of Meet Boston’s commitment to enhancing Greater Boston organizations' capacity to showcase the region's crucial role in the American Revolution during the Nation’s 250th commemoration.
The project encompasses a comprehensive conservation plan for the Dunbar Diary and the creation of a custom archival case to protect this document. In addition to the conservation efforts, the grant will facilitate the creation of a full digital archiving of the diary. The project will culminate in a public event highlighting the project and raising awareness of Dunbar’s rich history, followed by a recognition event hosted jointly by the Canton Historical Society and the Stoughton Historical Society. A special public exhibition highlighting Samuel Dunbar's Diary and the life of this foundational patriot is also planned.
Comeau added that “by safeguarding and sharing the Samuel Dunbar Diary, the Canton Historical Society will illuminate the profound contributions of this foundational patriot and deepen our understanding of the local and national forces and people that forged the United States of America.”
This grant is made possible by the generosity of Meet Boston
and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
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