Access Our Collection – Rare Documents and Historic Newspapers

Your journey into American history continues – even after the tour ends. Every tour participant receives special online access to rare documents and historic newspapers in Ben’s personal collection supported by interactive articles and multimedia. This treasure trove of material amplifies and enhances your tour experience.

You’ll view documents signed by participants in the Boston Tea Party including Thomas Melvill and Amos Lincoln and see a Civil War camp pass containing the printed signature of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. You’ll see original press coverage of many events including President George Washington’s visit to Boston in the fall of 1789 from The Massachusetts Centinel; the 54th Massachusetts parade march through the streets of Boston on May 28, 1863; the Emancipation Proclamation and Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address – all three appeared in Boston’s abolitionist newspaper The Liberator.

The centerpiece of the collection consists of two historic newspapers:

  • The Continental Journal and Weekly Advertiser printed in Boston on January 9, 1777 with a first report of Washington crossing the Delaware and the Battle of Trenton.
  • The New York Herald (2 a.m. edition) of April 15, 1865 with first reports of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Audio podcasts support both of these rare newspapers as well as many others in the collection. Special thanks to the very talented Phil Rosenthal and Jim Getty – the country’s foremost Lincoln portrayer – for their work on this project. Mr. Rosenthal narrates the podcasts and Mr. Getty performs Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address. Here is a glimpse of the type of content you’ll be able to view as a tour participant: The story of Thomas Melvill.

Tour participants are given three postcards containing links that grant access to the collection of rare documents and historic newspapers. You’ll also receive free audio products that support the tour. Book your private guided walking tour with author and Boston historian Ben Edwards today by completing this form or calling 617.670.1888.