Special to the Record
The City of Chelsea, in partnership with the Governor Bellingham Cary House Museum, is thrilled to announce a series of public Open Houses and exciting historical programming this spring as part of the City’s festivities celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Chelsea Creek.
The Governor Bellingham Cary House and its surrounding grounds have witnessed more than 350 years of American history. In 1659, Governor Richard Bellingham, a colonial governor in the very early years of the Massachusetts colony, built a hunting lodge in an area forested mainly by marshes at the time. Later, it was owned for over 150 years by several generations of wealthy and well-connected Cary family members. Their names were recorded, their stories carefully preserved, and long ago, people decided this house should be maintained to honor the family and their contributions to American history. This home holds many stories that weren’t always documented or seen as important then, but the house still bears them.
Some people lived here in comfort, making decisions that shaped the community. Others worked the land, cooked the meals, or cared for the home—often with little choice. Enslaved people labored here. Tenant farmers rented the property and farmed the fields, orchards, and animals. Continental soldiers stayed there during the American Revolution and reported to General George Washington himself. The residents of this house witnessed Chelsea’s transformation into an urban city, and then, in the 20th century, two massive fires nearly wiped it out. However, before any of them, for thousands of years, Native peoples fished, hunted, and gathered food in these lands.
As part of the 250th anniversary commemorations, this year’s programming will spotlight the Revolutionary era, focusing on the pivotal role of the Governor Bellingham Cary House during the American Revolution. Throughout the Siege of Boston (April 19, 1775 – March 17, 1776), the house served as a strategic base for the Continental Army, offering refuge to those fleeing British-controlled Boston via the Winnisimmet Ferry, providing a critical vantage point for monitoring British ships, and playing a key role in the defense of Chelsea. Meanwhile, the Cary family, owners of the property, were in Grenada, seeking their fortune as merchants and managers of sugar plantations at the heart of the triangular trade.
Community members and visitors are invited to discover this rich history through guided tours and engaging talks that examine the era with a contemporary perspective on Chelsea and the Governor Bellingham Cary House. These programs will explore Chelsea’s cultural and economic ties to the Caribbean, the Battle of Chelsea Creek, and firsthand accounts from the Siege of Boston. Additional presentations will delve into colonial life, the experiences of workers and enslaved individuals at the Cary House, and the broader historical forces that shaped the region.
These events are free and open to the public, and all are welcome to explore Chelsea’s vibrant history. The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism grant makes the series possible.
Open Houses and Talk Series Calendar:
Thursday, April 17, 6:00-8:00 PM
Cuban History
Art Display and Talk with Max Pro
Thursday, April 26, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Open House & Cuban History Display with
Max Pro
Sunday, May 4, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Open House:
Cary Square Day
Saturday, May 10, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Open House & Battle of Chelsea Creek Talk presented by Robert Allison, Professor Suffolk University, and Jeff Pearlman, City historian of Revere
Thursday, May 15, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Letters from Chelsea and the Siege of Boston
Presentation by Mimi Graney at 6:30 PM
Saturday, May 24, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Open House: 250th
Anniversary of the Battle of Chelsea Creek
Saturday, June 7, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Curator’s Choice Day
1:00 PM: Hearth and Home: The Colonial Kitchen – Bread to Thread by Janet Sartor
1:45 PM: 1667-1900: The Workers – Tenant Farmers, Servants, and Enslaved People by Stacey Smith and Lee Farrington
Thursday, June 12, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Open House – Flag Day Commemoration
Saturday, June 21, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Strawberry Festival – Activities for all ages.
House tours.
Program Descriptions
Thursday, April 17: Cuban History with Max Pro
Presenter: Max Pro
Chelsea artist Max Pro explores personal and cultural ties between Chelsea and the Caribbean in a compelling presentation on the history of Cuba. The Cary family, whose historic home serves as the backdrop for this event, lived in Chelsea while also overseeing plantations in Grenada and other Caribbean islands. Their story is intertwined with the contradictions of colonial trade and enslavement within the aspirations for freedom and prosperity that shaped the American dream. This talk highlights contemporary immigrant experiences between these two regions.
Thursday, May 15:
Letters from Chelsea and the Siege of Boston
Presenter: Mimi Graney
During the Siege of Boston, as war and hardship consumed the city, Chelsea became an unexpected refuge. This presentation brings the crisis to life through firsthand accounts that reveal the uncertainty, fear, and resilience of those caught in the turmoil. At the heart of these accounts are the letters of Colonel Loammi Baldwin, who reported directly to General George Washington while overseeing the flood of desperate civilians escaping Boston via the Winnisimmet Ferry. Baldwin’s correspondence provides a vivid record of the refugee movement, the surveillance of British ships, and the challenges of defending Chelsea during this pivotal moment in the Revolution.
Saturday, June 7:
Curator’s Choice Day
When we visit historic houses, the stories we hear often center on men—politicians, soldiers, and writers—while the lives of those who kept the household running are often overlooked. Yet behind every grand home were the people who cooked the meals, tended the children, managed the accounts, and maintained the property. On June 7, we turn our focus to the essential but often forgotten labor that sustained homes like the Governor Bellingham-Cary House. This program will explore who performed this work in colonial times, how their roles evolved over the centuries, and the ways household labor shaped daily life.
Hearth and Home:
The Colonial Kitchen – Bread to Thread
Janet Sartor, Curator, Governor Bellingham-Cary House
The colonial kitchen was a hub of constant activity—not just for cooking, but for spinning, candle-making, soap-making, laundry, mending, and even childcare. Step back in time as you explore the tools and gadgets that remain in the house, from colonial-era kitchen implements to 19th-century innovations. Admire the beautifully preserved fireplace and ovens that once served as the heart of the home, and take home authentic colonial recipes to try in your own kitchen.
1667-1900: The Workers – Tenant Farmers, Servants, and Enslaved People
Presenters Stacey Smith and Lee Farrington
Who carried out the daily work that kept the Governor Bellingham-Cary House running? Throughout its history, the home relied on the labor of farmhands, household workers, and enslaved individuals—both those who worked on the Cary family’s plantations in Grenada and those who served within the house itself. This program shares some of their often-overlooked stories, shedding light on the essential roles they played.
Saturday, June 21 – Strawberry Festival
Matt Frank and the Trustees of the Governor Bellingham-Cary House
Join us for this beloved annual event as we honor Chelsea’s rich agricultural history and welcome the summer season! Explore the historic house with guided tours, enjoy hands-on activities for all ages, and indulge in delicious strawberry shortcakes available for purchase. Try your hand at colonial-era games or practice traditional handicrafts once common in homes like the Governor Bellingham-Cary House. Step back in time and celebrate history, community, and the flavors of summer!
Program Presenter Bios
Robert Allison is a Professor of History, Language, and Global Culture at Suffolk University. He’s one of the coordinators of The Revolution 250 Advisory Group, which is overseeing commemorations across Massachusetts of the American Revolution. He is the author of numerous publications, including books on The Boston Tea Party (2007), The Boston Massacre (2006), and A Short History of Boston (2004). He is President of the South Boston Historical Society and is involved with several museums and historical societies in Boston.
Lee Farrington is a community historian and former trustee of the Governor Bellingham-Cary House in Chelsea, where she continues to support educational programs. She has created historic tours of Chelsea’s Prattville and Cary Square neighborhoods and is a former member of the Chelsea Historic Commission. With a passion for house museums, Farrington has visited over 50 museums across New England.
Matt Frank is a Trustee and President of the Governor Bellingham-Cary House, where he leverages his expertise in organizational leadership and community engagement to advance the museum’s mission. As Director of Operations at the Chelsea Housing Authority and a former Chelsea City Council member, Matt is deeply invested in local issues. He actively connects the house’s history to the evolving stories of Chelsea today, focusing on its relevance to the community.
Mimi Graney is a Trustee of the Bellingham Cary House and formerly worked for the City of Chelsea, where she focused on public art and local initiatives for community building and economic development. She is the author of Fluff: The Sticky Sweet Story of an American Icon, which traces the history of Marshmallow Fluff while exploring broader themes of American culture, industrialization, and advertising.
Jeff Pearlman is a city historian in Revere and a member of the Revere Society for Cultural and Historical Preservation as well as the Colonial Society of Massachusetts. Mr. Pearlman is currently an adjunct professor at Salem State University. He previously taught public school in Revere for 36 years.
Max Pro is a Chelsea-based artist who uses his skills in painting and poetry to advocate for mental health awareness, help people find healthy outlets, and build positive community connections. He has created murals and public art across the Boston area, frequently collaborating with local organizations on youth-focused projects. As the grandson of Cuban immigrants, Max brings personal insight, merging contemporary creativity with historic themes.
Janet Sartor currently serves as Curator of Collections at the Governor Bellingham-Cary House, bringing her expertise in curating, collection care, and historical interpretation to house museums and cultural organizations. A Chelsea resident. Janet has extensive experience with prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Harvard Art Museum.
Stacey Smith, a fifth-generation Chelsea resident, is an active member of the Chelsea Black Community. In 2023, she received the Chelsea Trailblazer Award, and in 2025, she was honored with the Black Excellence Award by the Massachusetts 11th Suffolk District for her contributions to the community and local activism.
For more information and the full calendar, please visit www.bellinghamcary.org.