Massachusetts History Trivia

1. Monumental sculptor Daniel Chester French carved the seated figure of Lincoln for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC at his studio in the Berkshires. What was the name of French's beautiful estate?

From Quiz Tidbits About Western Massachusetts

Answer: Chesterwood

French's home and studio at Stockbridge are open to visitors and the grounds are known for their display of modern sculpture.

From Quiz Massachusetts Maritime Lore

Answer: The Bay State

Massachusetts was originally called the Massachusetts Bay Colony when it was an English possession. Rhode Island is the "Ocean State", Connecticut is the "Constitution State" and New York is the "Empire State."

From Quiz A People's History of Massachusetts

Answer: The Mayflower Compact

In 1636 the murder of the white trade and Indian-kidnapper, became an excuse that the Puritans used to make war against the Native Americans (Pequots). Also, according to Zinn "John Winthrop created the excuse to take Indian land by declaring the area legally a "vacuum" (Zinn, p. 13). Additionally, according to Zinn, claiming the Native Americans had a natural right, but not a civil right denied them legal rights to the land (Zinn, pp. 13-14).

From Quiz Massachusetts Politics

Answer: Bill Weld

Weld was first elected with a slim majority in 1990. In '94, Weld beat then State Rep. Mark Roosevelt with over 70% of the vote.

From Quiz About Massachusetts

Answer: 14

Barnstable-Berkshire-Bristol-Dukes-Essex-Franklin-Hampden-Hampshire-Middlesex-Nantucket-Norfolk-Plymouth-Suffolk-Worcester.

From Quiz Plymouth, Massachusetts

Answer: Speedwell

William Brewster had to be brought on the Mayflower from the Speedwell in a barrel, because he was wanted for treason for his religious beliefs. They tried three times to leave England with both boats, but had to return to England three times to do repairs. Finally they gave up on the Speedwell.

From Quiz Boston's Freedom Trail

Answer: 1630

Situated adjacent to King's Chapel, King's Chapel Burying Ground is Boston's oldest cemetery and was founded in 1630, at least a century prior to huge American Revolution events like the Boston Tea Party and Boston Massacre. The first internment there was of Isaac Johnson, who owned the land where the cemetery is located. A few people buried at King's Chapel Burying Ground are John Winthrop, John Oxenbridge and Mary Chilton.

From Quiz Massachusetts Maritime Lore

Answer: Cape Cod

This song, "Cape Cod Girls" is an example of a sea shanty (or chanty), songs containing insulting or inane lyrics used to establish a cadence so deckhands would work in unison while raising or repositioning sails.

From Quiz Boston's Crime History

Answer: Frederick Parmenter and Alessandro Berardelli

Frederick Parmenter was the pay master for the Slater-Morrill Shoe Company. Alessandro Berardelli was the security guard for the shoe company located on Pearl Street in South Braintree, Massachusetts. In addition to the murders of the two men, Sacco and Vanzetti were also charged with stealing $15,777 from the shoe company.

From Quiz A People's History of Massachusetts

Answer: Increased from 14% (1687) to 29% (1770)

Zinn states that "everywhere the poor were struggling to stay alive, simply to keep from freezing in the cold" (Zinn, p.49). In the 1730s many cities began to build poorhouses. Zinn states that those who were poor may have also rented a room or slept in the back of a tavern (Zinn p.49)

From Quiz Massachusetts Politics

Answer: House of Representatives

From Quiz About Massachusetts

Answer: Chickadee

The chickadee, also known as the titmouse, tomtit, and the dickybird, was adopted by as the official state bird on March 21, 1941.

From Quiz Plymouth, Massachusetts

Answer: Massasoit

From Quiz Boston's Freedom Trail

Answer: George W. Bush

The Boston Latin School opened in 1635 and, when it opened, Puritans demanded a special emphasis on education for their children. The school still operates in the 21st century and mandates its students to complete four years of Latin as a requirement towards graduation. The Boston Latin School feels that the classics are at the foundation of an educated mind. Right after George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law on January 8, 2002 he paid a visit to this prestigious educational institution.

From Quiz Tidbits About Western Massachusetts

Answer: Called Back

Dickinson was born and died in Amherst. Though she did attend the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, now Mt. Holyoke College, and was known to have traveled to Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts, her life is mostly remembered as one of self-imposed seclusion. She died in her father's house in May of 1886.

From Quiz Massachusetts Maritime Lore

Answer: Nantucket

Nantucket was once one of the leading whaling ports in the world.

From Quiz Boston's Crime History

Answer: Electrocution

They were both electrocuted in the electric chair on August 23, 1927. Their deaths sparked riots and protests in many countries - Britain, Germany, France, South Africa and Argentina. The American Embassy in Paris was overrun with protesters and the facade of the Moulin Rouge was damaged in outrage over the executions.

From Quiz Massachusetts Politics

Answer: 35,000

Divided up among 160 House districts.

From Quiz About Massachusetts

Answer: Mt Greylock

From Quiz Plymouth, Massachusetts

Answer: John Carver and William Bradford

John Carver collapsed while working in the fields in the spring of 1621. Bradford took over and governed for 30 years. 51 of 102 original passangers died the first winter.

From Quiz Boston's Freedom Trail

Answer: Brimstone Corner

The Park Street Church, built in 1809, is a unique Freedom Trail site as it is primarily known for being an influential place during the War of 1812 rather than the American Revolution. The church members stored gunpowder in the basement during this conflict and this area would be known as Brimstone Corner. The initial charter of the church was organized by many members from the Old South Meeting House that preferred a place which promoted orthodox Trinitarian theology.

From Quiz Tidbits About Western Massachusetts

Answer: The Paradise of America

Jenny Lind married a German musician, Otto Goldschmidt, whom she had originally hired to be her accompanist, in May of 1852. The Goldschmidt family lived in England and counted Queen Victoria and Prince Albert among their personal friends. Jenny Lind died in 1887.

From Quiz Massachusetts Maritime Lore

Answer: She was not at Pearl Harbor

The USS Massachusetts, nicknamed "Big Mamie" was launched on September 23, 1941 but was not commissioned until May 12, 1942 at Boston. She fired the first 16-inch (410 mm) shells at an enemy target in World War II and is believed to have also fired the last 16-inchers of the war.

From Quiz Massachusetts Politics

Answer: Eighth

The historic eighth district encompasses much of the city of Boston, as well as parts of Cambridge and Somerville. Joseph Kennedy also represented this district.

From Quiz About Massachusetts

Answer: 21

It took months to get rid of the sticky goo. Salt water proved to be the best cleanser even though it was years before 'it' was gone entirely!

From Quiz Plymouth, Massachusetts

Answer: Mercy Otis Warren

Mercy was married to James Warren, a famous general.

From Quiz Boston's Freedom Trail

Answer: Heresy

The Old Corner Bookstore, built in 1718, was the headquarters of the famed publisher Ticknor and Fields. Notable writers who they published include Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and more. Prior to the bookstore opening, Anne Hutchinson, a Puritan spiritual adviser, owned a home where it presently stands but was expelled from Massachusetts for heresy.

From Quiz Tidbits About Western Massachusetts

Answer: Tanglewood

Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote "The Tanglewood Tales" while living in a nearby cottage in 1853 and the name was soon applied to an adjacent estate which ultimately became the 210 acre music venue. The Koussevitzy Shed and Ozawa Hall are buildings at the Tanglewood facility. The Arthur Fiedler Memorial is a pedestrian bridge near Boston Common.

From Quiz Massachusetts Maritime Lore

Answer: Gloucester

The term "perfect storm" was given to the Halloween Nor'easter by a meteorologist at the US National Weather Service's Boston office. The term was used as a book title, a movie and has come to mean any convergence of dire events.

From Quiz Boston's Crime History

Answer: James Michael Curley

Curley and an associate, Thomas Curley (no relation) both took the Civil Service exam to help two men in their district obtain jobs as postmen. Found guilty of fraud, Curley served his time and still won the election! The incident endeared him to the working class as someone willing to help the poor man. Curley, dubbed 'The Rascal King' due to many highly suspicious incidents, went on to enjoy a long political career in Boston despite all the controversy that followed him. His popularity remained high among the working class and he served as Mayor of Boston, State House Representative and Govenor of Massachusetts.

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