Evacuation Day 2013: Luncheon at the Shirley-Eustis House

Evacuation Day Luncheon at Shirley-Eustis House 3/16/13

Exactly at 12 Noon on Saturday, March 16, 2013, the bright yellow bus arrived on Shirley Street to deliver Evacuation Day participants to the site of their celebratory luncheon, the Shirley-Eustis House.

What a treat to see people (mostly men) dressed in the finery of the 1700's.

"How were the events this morning?" "They were wonderful, "said one gaily dressed gentleman. "It was windy and cold outside. Dorchester Heights and the tower were such a thrill."

He added: "I prefer High Point. It's so much more soulful." What years of experience, prior Evacuation Day celebrations and other historic event tributes in the greater Boston area must make their minds hum with a lifetime movie script that we can only imagine.

The morning's events took place in multiple locations, with our State Reps serving as the event hosts: Reps Carlos Henriquez, Gloria Fox and Nick Collins.

For a complete schedule of the Evacuation Day events, click here.

Participants came from organizations far and wide to participate in the events:

The spirit was jolly - almost like a country fair - with silly talk and bantering filling the air as people waited for lunch to begin.

"Hello. I'm capturing pictures of people at this event." To which the smiling face said: "You have to pay me royalties." "With the money I make? Are you kidding? I'll tell you how much I make - $1.00 per day. How much of that do you want?" He was excited to recall his past and share that: "That's more than I made on my first job which was $1.00 per week."

Another gentleman bragged about what he was doing to pass the time: "I'm teaching them how to build latrines. They don't know how."

Jonathan Harrington, Lexington Minutemen

Dan Moylan, Bostonia Allarum Companie
(Brookline)

Ruedi Arn, Bostonia Allarum Companie
(North Brookfield)

Suddenly, fife music filled the air. grabbing our attention in the gentlest way. While the fife can have a somewhat shrill sound, almost like a whistle, amidst the din of voices in the Shirley-Eustis House, the fife sounded more like a flute from heaven.

"Good afternoon. I'm Rep Carlos Henriquez. Welcome to everyone for being a part of an historical occasion that we celebrate every year. Let us also recognize Rep. Gloria Fox, Rep. Nick Collins and City Councillor at Large, Felix Arroyo." Councillor Yancey arrived a little while later as well.

"Thank you to all the groups that helped put this together. We saw the high tower and where the large cannon were placed to shoot at the British. The celebration continues here and on the lawn outside with several important historical documents brought here today for all of you history buffs." Then Rep. Henriquez closed his brief welcome with a group chuckle: "I Always try to keep it short when I am standing between the people and the food," at which point everyone left the dining hall to get in line in the breakfast area where the food was set up.

Photos of the Luncheon Event

In the photos below, descriptions were provided by Dan Moyloan. We are so grateful for his help. Still many faces remain unidentified. If you know who any of the people are, contact us at UC News [uphamscornernews@gmail.com]. We will update the photos quickly.

Also be sure to check out additional photos on the Uphams Corner News Facebook page.

Excerpted from the South Boston Historical Society Facebook Page

Thanks to the Mass Bay Credit Union and Yankee Bus for their support! And thanks to the Shirley-Eustis House for having us--and State Reps. Nick Collins, Gloria Fox, Carlos Henriquez, and Linda Dorcena Forry, and Councilors Felix Arroyo, Ayana Pressley, and Charles Yancey for joining us, along with the Lexington Minutemen, the Boston Alarum Company, the Henry Knox Masons, and friends from the Roxbury Historical Society.

South Boston Historical Society (Facebook page)