Join us on May 16, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the East Boston Public Library for the screening of “Suffolk Downs: A Race Through Time”, a documentary film about the history of Suffolk Downs. The HYM Investment Group, owner and developer of the site since 2017, has created a film that details the history of the horse racing site over the decades, the activations happening onsite today, and the plans for the future as redevelopment begins.

The film begins with the building of Suffolk Downs, the legalization of betting in Massachusetts and the chronicled rise and fall of horse racing. Stories are told about the owners of the track over the years, the horses and jockeys that raced there, the concerts and events that drew in the crowds, the economic viability of the site over the years, and the legacy this site will always have. Interviews are captured with jockeys, employees of the racetrack, writers, journalists, the former Mayor of Revere, and the current property owner and developer. Jumping ahead, the film transitions to the use of the site today, following the final race in June of 2019, and The HYM Investment Group’s vision for a diverse community that will continue to develop for the next 15-20 years.

Guests are encouraged to arrive between 5:30 - 6 p.m.. The screening itself will begin promptly at 6 p.m. with a brief speaking program.

Established in 2022, our mission at the Office of Historic Preservation is to safeguard Boston's rich cultural heritage while amplifying the voices of underrepresented Bostonians. Housed within the Environment, Energy, and Open Space Cabinet, our department includes the Boston Landmarks Commission, the City Archaeology Program, and the Commemoration Commission.

Over the next several months the Office of Historic Preservation will continue it's outreach efforts to various neighborhood groups. The presentations aim is to advocate for a new framework showcasing how historic preservation can address some of Boston's pressing challenges in environmental sustainability, social equity, and affordable housing.

Review The Slides

Can't Make it? Check out a recording of the inaugural session. 

Notice of AccomModation

English - Interpretation and translation services are available to you at no cost. If you need them, please contact us at blc@boston.gov or 617-635-1935, as soon as possible.

Spanish/Espanol - Hay servicios de interpretación, traducción y adaptaciones para discapacidades a su disposición sin costo alguno. Si los necesita, por favor póngase en contacto con nosotros mandando un correo electrónico a (blc@boston.govv), LCA@boston.gov o llamando a (617-635-1935), hasta esta fecha: (Date: 5-1-24).

Haitian Creole -Kreyòl ayisyen: Sèvis entèpretasyon, tradiksyon, ak sèvis akomodasyon pou andikape disponib pou ou gratis. Si w bezwen sèvis sa yo, tanpri kontakte nou nan (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov oswa (617-635-1935), ant: (Date: 5-1-24)

Traditional Chinese - 繁體中文: 我們可以為您提供免費的口譯, 筆譯, 和殘疾人士合理照顧服務。如有需要，請在 (Date: 5-1-24) XX 月 YY 日, 前與我們連絡，發電子郵件至 (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov 或致電 (617-635-1935)

Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt: Các dịch vụ thông dịch, dịch thuật và hỗ trợ người khuyết tật được cung cấp miễn phí cho bạn. Nếu bạn cần họ, vui lòng liên lạc với chúng tôi theo địa chỉ (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov hoặc (617-635-1935) trước ngày: (Date: 5-1-24)

Simplified Chinese - 简体中文: 我们可以为您提供免费的口译, 笔译, 和残疾人士合理照顾服务。如有需要，请在(5-1-24)XX 月 YY 日 前与我们联系, 发电子邮件至(blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov 或致电 (617-635-1935)

Cabo Verdean Creole - kriolu: Nu ta oferese-bu sirvisus di interpretason, traduson y sirvisus di komodason pa gentis ku difisénsia di grasa. Si bu meste kes sirvisu la, kontata-nu pa email (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov ó pa telefóni, pa númeru (617-635-1935). Na es data:(Date: 5-1-24)

Arabic - العربية

خدمات الترجمة الشفوية والتحريرية والتسهيلات لذوي الإعاقة متوفرة لك دون تحملك أي تكلفة. إذا احتجت لهذه الخدمات، يرجى التواصل معنا على البريد الألكتروني ( BLC@boston.gov) ،(LCA@boston.gov)، أو على رقم الهاتف 6176351935

Russian -Русский: Услуги устного и письменного перевода и по приспособлению инвалидов предоставляются бесплатно. Если Вам они нужны, просьба связаться с нами по адресу электронной почты (blc@boston.gov) LCA@boston.gov либо по телефону (617-635-1935) до (Date: 5-1-24)

Portuguese - Português: Disponibilizamos serviços de tradução e interpretação e adaptações especiais para pessoas com deficiências gratuitamente. Para solicitar, envie e-mail para (blc@boston.govv) , LCA@boston.gov ou ligue para (617-635-1935) até o dia (Date: 5-1-24)

French - Français: Les services d'interprétation, de traduction et d'adaptation aux personnes handicapées sont à votre disposition gratuitement. Si vous en avez besoin, veuillez nous contacter à (blc@boston.gov) , LCA@boston.gov ou au (617-635-1935), d'ici au:(Date: 5-1-24)

Somali - Af Soomaali: Adeegyada tarjumaadda luuqadaha iyo hoyga naafada ayaa diyaar kuu ah adiga oo aan wax kharash ah ka bixin. Haddii aad u baahatid iyaga, fadlan nagala soo xiriir (blc@boston.gov) , LCA@boston.gov ama (617-635-1935) markay taariikhdu tahay: (Date: 5-1-24)

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 6 - 8 p.m. at Boston City Hall Plaza's Civic Pavilion, we'll be celebrating National Poetry Month with a reading featuring Parker-Vincent Alva, Boston's new Youth Poet Laureate! This is Parker's first public reading as Youth Poet Laureate. 

Host: Boston's Poet Laureate, Porsha Olayiwola

Guest performances by: Crystal Valentine, Amy Luo, and more poets to be announced!

Light refreshments will be provided.

In our society, there is often no space for marginalized people to tell their stories. Reclaiming Folk seeks to make space for musicians of color to tell their stories and tell the stories of our past, so that our future can be a more inclusive place for all. 

We are Reclaiming Folk because history has forgotten that people of color have always been at the root of American folk music. From field calls to blues to gospel, the origin of American folk music is connected to people of color.

This 90 minute program includes a 60 minute performance by three Massachusetts based folk artists of color—Naomi Westwater, Pamela Means, and Kim Moberg—singing songs in the round. Each musician will play original songs and one traditional folk song by a musician of color. Following the performance will be a 30 minute talk back—moderated by Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola, who will also read a poem—where the musicians will talk about their songs and their experience as folk musicians. There will be time for audience Q&A.

WBUR and WERS are media partners for the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture's 2024 event season.