City of Newton, MA

When did different groups of immigrants come to Newton, and why did they come? People from many parts of the world have made Newton their home, especially during the past 150 years. “Newtonians from Afar,” a series of virtual tours that Historic Newton is creating, will tell the history of seven different groups of people who settled in Newton.

Our videos will show sites of importance in Irish, French Canadian, Jewish, African American, Italian, Chinese, and former Soviet Union communities. Guest narrators who have ties to these communities share historical details at local landmarks, such as churches and business districts. Our focus will be on 19th and 20th century history. 

We plan to present the videos later this year in two parts. The first represents those who came from approximately 1880 through 1910. The second focuses on those who came later in the 20th century. Collectively, these stories will add to our understanding of the diversity of people who built Newton into the vibrant city that it is today.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Newton Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. We also received support from a Bridge Street sponsorship from Mass Humanities.