Boston Archives and Records
@archives.boston.gov
Official Bluesky account of the City of Boston Archives. We manage, preserve, and provide access to the municipal government records of Boston.
boston.gov/departments/archives-and-records-management
boston.gov/departments/archives-and-records-management
#onthisday in 1919 2.3 million gallons of molasses flooded the North End when the Purity Distilling Company's tank ruptured. View more photos of the flood at: ow.ly/xx2Y50XS8aV
Image 1: Molasses tank from the elevated rail
Image 2: Molasses flood, destruction
Image 3: Molasses flood, tank section
Image 1: Molasses tank from the elevated rail
Image 2: Molasses flood, destruction
Image 3: Molasses flood, tank section
January 15, 2026 at 3:04 PM
#onthisday in 1919 2.3 million gallons of molasses flooded the North End when the Purity Distilling Company's tank ruptured. View more photos of the flood at: ow.ly/xx2Y50XS8aV
Image 1: Molasses tank from the elevated rail
Image 2: Molasses flood, destruction
Image 3: Molasses flood, tank section
Image 1: Molasses tank from the elevated rail
Image 2: Molasses flood, destruction
Image 3: Molasses flood, tank section
It's time for another #mysteryphoto! Do you know where and when this photo was taken?
January 12, 2026 at 3:03 PM
It's time for another #mysteryphoto! Do you know where and when this photo was taken?
Here's the first #mysteryphoto of 2026! Do you know where and when this photo was taken?
January 6, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Here's the first #mysteryphoto of 2026! Do you know where and when this photo was taken?
#onthisday in 1874 the Towns of Brighton and West Roxbury and the City of Charlestown were annexed into Boston! Here is a city council order from 1872 requesting that the Mayor appoint a commission to examine annexation.
January 5, 2026 at 3:03 PM
#onthisday in 1874 the Towns of Brighton and West Roxbury and the City of Charlestown were annexed into Boston! Here is a city council order from 1872 requesting that the Mayor appoint a commission to examine annexation.
Reposted by Boston Archives and Records
Please join us live tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the inauguration of Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston City Council.
The inauguration will be streamed live on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook, as well as on Boston.gov, Boston City TV, and Boston Neighborhood Network.
The inauguration will be streamed live on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook, as well as on Boston.gov, Boston City TV, and Boston Neighborhood Network.
January 4, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Please join us live tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the inauguration of Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston City Council.
The inauguration will be streamed live on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook, as well as on Boston.gov, Boston City TV, and Boston Neighborhood Network.
The inauguration will be streamed live on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook, as well as on Boston.gov, Boston City TV, and Boston Neighborhood Network.
Happy New Year's Eve Boston!
Image: Fireworks display over Boston Common during the 2015 First Night celebration.
Image: Fireworks display over Boston Common during the 2015 First Night celebration.
December 31, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Happy New Year's Eve Boston!
Image: Fireworks display over Boston Common during the 2015 First Night celebration.
Image: Fireworks display over Boston Common during the 2015 First Night celebration.
South Station was dedicated #onthisday in 1898! Check out this photo from 1921!
December 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM
South Station was dedicated #onthisday in 1898! Check out this photo from 1921!
Here is another #mysteryphoto for you, Boston! Can you figure out when and where this photo was taken?
December 29, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Here is another #mysteryphoto for you, Boston! Can you figure out when and where this photo was taken?
Merry Christmas from the City Archives! check out this Christmas celebration at Boston City Hospital in 1912!
December 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Merry Christmas from the City Archives! check out this Christmas celebration at Boston City Hospital in 1912!
Take a look at Atlantic avenue, looking northerly from the Cove Street Bridge #onthisday in 1910!
December 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Take a look at Atlantic avenue, looking northerly from the Cove Street Bridge #onthisday in 1910!
It's time for another #mysteryphoto! Do you know when and where this photo was taken?
December 22, 2025 at 3:03 PM
It's time for another #mysteryphoto! Do you know when and where this photo was taken?
Here is a special mystery photo for you this week! Can you tell us where and when this photograph was taken?
December 18, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Here is a special mystery photo for you this week! Can you tell us where and when this photograph was taken?
Check out this snowy scene at Forest Hills Station #onthisday in 1919!
December 17, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Check out this snowy scene at Forest Hills Station #onthisday in 1919!
252 years ago today, the Sons of Liberty threw crates of tea into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act of 1773. Check out these photos of the Boston Tea Party Museum taken by Peter Dreyer in 1975!
Image 1: The Brig Beaver near the Boston Tea Party Museum
Image 2: An actor aboard the Brig Beaver
Image 1: The Brig Beaver near the Boston Tea Party Museum
Image 2: An actor aboard the Brig Beaver
December 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM
252 years ago today, the Sons of Liberty threw crates of tea into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act of 1773. Check out these photos of the Boston Tea Party Museum taken by Peter Dreyer in 1975!
Image 1: The Brig Beaver near the Boston Tea Party Museum
Image 2: An actor aboard the Brig Beaver
Image 1: The Brig Beaver near the Boston Tea Party Museum
Image 2: An actor aboard the Brig Beaver
Happy Hanukkah from the City Archives! Here is Mayor Walsh lighting the menorah at City Hall in 2019!
December 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Happy Hanukkah from the City Archives! Here is Mayor Walsh lighting the menorah at City Hall in 2019!
#onthisday in 1875 George Lewis Ruffin became the first Black man elected to the Boston Common Council. He went on to serve in the Massachusetts State Legislature and was appointed a judge for the Municipal Court. Take a look at his personal record!
December 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
#onthisday in 1875 George Lewis Ruffin became the first Black man elected to the Boston Common Council. He went on to serve in the Massachusetts State Legislature and was appointed a judge for the Municipal Court. Take a look at his personal record!
Check out 110-116 Dorchester Avenue in South Boston, #onthisday in 1914!
December 11, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Check out 110-116 Dorchester Avenue in South Boston, #onthisday in 1914!
Today is William Lloyd Garrison's birthday! He was born December 10, 1805 in Newburyport, MA. Garrison was a journalist, abolitionist, and supporter of women's suffrage. He co-founded the anti-slavery newspaper The Liberator, which he published in Boston from 1831-1865.
December 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Today is William Lloyd Garrison's birthday! He was born December 10, 1805 in Newburyport, MA. Garrison was a journalist, abolitionist, and supporter of women's suffrage. He co-founded the anti-slavery newspaper The Liberator, which he published in Boston from 1831-1865.
It's #mysteryphoto time! Do you know where and when this photo was taken?
December 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
It's #mysteryphoto time! Do you know where and when this photo was taken?
#onthisday in 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Here is Mayor Tobin's address at a city-wide meeting after the attack.
Image 1: Mayor Tobin's address after the attack on Pearl Harbor printed in the City Record.
Image 2: Page 2 of Mayor Tobin's address printed in the City Record.
Image 1: Mayor Tobin's address after the attack on Pearl Harbor printed in the City Record.
Image 2: Page 2 of Mayor Tobin's address printed in the City Record.
December 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
#onthisday in 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Here is Mayor Tobin's address at a city-wide meeting after the attack.
Image 1: Mayor Tobin's address after the attack on Pearl Harbor printed in the City Record.
Image 2: Page 2 of Mayor Tobin's address printed in the City Record.
Image 1: Mayor Tobin's address after the attack on Pearl Harbor printed in the City Record.
Image 2: Page 2 of Mayor Tobin's address printed in the City Record.
Take a look at Dudley Street Station #onthisday in 1910!
December 5, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Take a look at Dudley Street Station #onthisday in 1910!
The Annual Boston Common Tree Lighting Celebration is tonight! Every year, the tree is gifted to Boston from Nova Scotia. Learn why at: ow.ly/PTT050Xxcfo
Image 1: Mayor Walsh and others at the 2015 Boston Common Tree Lighting Celebration
Image 2: The Christmas tree on the Boston Common in 2015
Image 1: Mayor Walsh and others at the 2015 Boston Common Tree Lighting Celebration
Image 2: The Christmas tree on the Boston Common in 2015
December 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The Annual Boston Common Tree Lighting Celebration is tonight! Every year, the tree is gifted to Boston from Nova Scotia. Learn why at: ow.ly/PTT050Xxcfo
Image 1: Mayor Walsh and others at the 2015 Boston Common Tree Lighting Celebration
Image 2: The Christmas tree on the Boston Common in 2015
Image 1: Mayor Walsh and others at the 2015 Boston Common Tree Lighting Celebration
Image 2: The Christmas tree on the Boston Common in 2015
Here's a new #mysteryphoto for you, Boston! Do you know where and when this photo was taken?
December 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Here's a new #mysteryphoto for you, Boston! Do you know where and when this photo was taken?
Happy #Thanksgiving Boston! Here is Mayor Menino serving dinner at the Morgan Memorial Goodwill Thanksgiving Dinner in 2007!
#gobblegobble
Image 1: Mayor Menino serving dinner
Image 2: Mayor Menino serving dinner
Image 3: Mayor Menino speaking at the Morgan Memorial Goodwill Thanksgiving Dinner
#gobblegobble
Image 1: Mayor Menino serving dinner
Image 2: Mayor Menino serving dinner
Image 3: Mayor Menino speaking at the Morgan Memorial Goodwill Thanksgiving Dinner
November 27, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Happy #Thanksgiving Boston! Here is Mayor Menino serving dinner at the Morgan Memorial Goodwill Thanksgiving Dinner in 2007!
#gobblegobble
Image 1: Mayor Menino serving dinner
Image 2: Mayor Menino serving dinner
Image 3: Mayor Menino speaking at the Morgan Memorial Goodwill Thanksgiving Dinner
#gobblegobble
Image 1: Mayor Menino serving dinner
Image 2: Mayor Menino serving dinner
Image 3: Mayor Menino speaking at the Morgan Memorial Goodwill Thanksgiving Dinner
It's #NationalCakeDay! Take a look at the towering cake celebrating the Statler Hilton hotel's 35th anniversary, circa 1960-1968!
November 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
It's #NationalCakeDay! Take a look at the towering cake celebrating the Statler Hilton hotel's 35th anniversary, circa 1960-1968!