250 years ago, the revolution that would lead to our country’s independence was in its early stages. The Continental Army was facing a major problem, gunpowder shortages. Join the Charles River Musuem for an exploration of how the production of saltpeter, the principal ingredient of this explosive material, changed the course of history.

This talk will explore the different ways saltpeter was manufactured by Americans, the wide variety of instructions that guided their efforts, and the motivations-both lofty and materialist-that drove them forward.

Presented by David Hsiung.

A native of the Chicago area, David C. Hsuing earned his B.A. from Yale, his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, and ever since has taught history at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.

Join us for a powerful and thought-provoking conversation with renowned interdisciplinary artist Dread Scott, recorded live at the Boston Public Library on the eve of Juneteenth 2025. In this event, part of BPL’s “Revolutionary Art” series, Dread Scott shares the stories behind his most iconic works—from flag-burning protests to large-scale reenactments of slave rebellions—and explores the role of art in confronting injustice, reimagining history, and inspiring liberation.

Moderated by Dr. Lizzie Cooper Davis, this conversation dives deep into themes of protest, freedom, Black joy, and the radical potential of art to shape the future.

Dread Scott is an interdisciplinary artist who for four decades has made work that encourages viewers to re-examine cohering ideals of American society. In 1989, the US Senate outlawed his artwork and President Bush declared it "disgraceful" because of its transgressive use of the American flag. Dread became part of a landmark Supreme Court case when he and others burned flags on the steps of the Capitol. He has presented a TED talk on this subject.

Hear a fascinating discussion on the past, present, and future of a ubiquitous fabric – denim. The Charles River Museum is at the site of Francis Cabot Lowell’s first cotton textile mill, and it was cotton manufacturing that powered the Industrial Revolution. Now, jeans are the iconic American fashion staple that almost all of us own. Fashion history professor, curator, and author Emma McClendon will engage in an interactive discussion about where she sees the future of jeans as a fashion item, utilitarian garment, and manufactured product. She has a special interest in the sustainability of denim production, and the ways in which jeans have become not just clothing, but a way of expressing individuality and identity. This is sure to be a thought-provoking conversation around an article of clothing that, at any given moment, literally half of the planet’s population is wearing.

History yields many lessons globally, and those who study it critically can fuel progress and cooperation in their communities and nations. Legal scholar Martha Minow and Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden discuss the importance of historical records, the potential for setbacks when knowledge is restricted, and what the future of access to reliable information might look like in a world riddled with unprecedented information manipulation and suppression.

With a piano performance by Miki Sawada, CEO of Gather Hear
Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 30 in A Major, Op. 109 I: Vivace ma non troppo - Adagio espressivo

Introduction by:
Susan Goldberg, President & CEO, GBH
David Leonard, President, Boston Public Library

A few years ago, the American Public Health Association declared noise to be a public health hazard, which leads to more heart disease, hearing loss and other health impacts as well as lost productivity. Noise isn’t just about decibel level – although that’s important - it is about its constancy and intrusiveness. Who likes that high-pitched car alarm that goes off at 3 am or the cacophony of bleeping machines that overload your nervous system, when you are trying to heal in a hospital bed?

Chris Berdik, a science and education journalist, first became interested in noise when he wrote a feature for the Boston Globe on noise pollution. He was captivated by the idea that a pollutant could inflict such wide-ranging harms to mental and physical wellbeing, which were both pervasive and inscrutable. Some people regarded noise as lethal as secondhand smoke, while others saw noise complaints as a proxy for being anti-tech or disliking your neighbors.


Berdik’s research took him to European villages and cities where EU regulations require settlements of a certain size to identify noise-protected “quiet areas”. He concluded that in order to mitigate the harmful effects of noise, loudness needs to be controlled and quiet protected. How often do we find ourselves having to shout in restaurants or repeat our orders; why can’t we focus on a deadline at work instead of our concentration being hijacked by the chatter of coworkers? Berdik suggests that “soundscapes” in workplaces, schools, hospitals and restaurants need to be planned in advance, so they can support not undermine our larger endeavors.

Whether you're a city dweller, educator, healthcare worker, or just someone craving a little peace and quiet, this conversation will change the way you hear the world.

Chris Berdik has been a staff editor at the Atlantic Monthly and a research editor at the investigative magazine, Mother Jones. As a freelance journalist, his writing has appeared in Popular Science, Wired, New Scientist, the NYT, the WP, Salon, Politico, Slate, the Boston Globe, among other publications. His latest book is CLAMOR: How Noise Took Over and How We Can Take It Back.

Dive into new drama programs and celebrate Mother's Day with recipes, music, and more.

Photojournalist Ulrike Welsch, Chair of Health Studies at MassBay Community College Denise Garrow-Pruitt, and Photo Editor of The Boston Globe Bill Greene discuss Boston's desegregation efforts in the 1960s, through the lens of many photographs of the times, moderated by Melissa Taboada Editor of the Great Divide Education Team at The Boston Globe.