The Boston Women’s Municipal League was a civic organization made up of mostly middle and upper class women, at a time when most women didn’t work outside the home. In 1915, they declared war on rats. Over the next few years, Women’s Municipal League published literature on eradicating rats, carried out an extensive education campaign, and in 1917 hosted a city-wide Rat Day with cash prizes for the citizens who killed the most rats.
Rat Day
- The Women’s Municipal League of Boston February 1917 Bulletin, containing details of their rat campaign.
- The Boston Evening Transcript reports on the League’s 1915 rat cleanup.
- The Boston Post describes B Rymkus’ victory on Rat Day.
- The National Association of Retail Druggists reports on Rat Day.
- The Royal College of Surgeons examines Rat Day.
- More on Rat Day from Mass Moments.
- Governing Magazine declares that Boston has the most rats.
- Boston Magazine gives a chilling description of rats in Boston today.
- A 2015 article from The Verge about the high tech global war on rats.
Featured Historic Site
Castle Island, in South Boston, is the current location of Fort Independence, as well as Sully’s. It’s been the site of an important fortification since the 1630s, first simply called “the castle,” then later Castle William, Fort Adams, and finally Fort Independence.
- Episode 6 featured the arrest of Governor Edmund Andros and his imprisonment at Castle William.
- Episode 25 discussed the disastrous military career of Paul Revere, including his command at Castle Island.
- Episode 54 introduces Governor William Shirley, who fled to Castle William during an impressment riot.
- A map of Fort Independence in 1809.
Upcoming Event
In Episode 17, we talked about the widespread 19th century belief that Vikings had colonized the Charles River valley 1000 years ago. On March 29 at 7pm, Historic Newton is hosting an event at the Newton Free Library to discuss the Viking craze.
Learn about Harvard professor Eben Horsford, who was at the center of the “Viking Craze” of the late 19th century. There is no solid evidence that the Vikings actually visited the region but the public liked to imagine connections with the brave Nordic explorers and warriors. Review Horsford’s claims that Vikings sailed up the Charles River and settled in the area over 1,000 years ago, and why he commissioned a tower to be built in their honor. Horrigan will also give a retrospective of Norumbega Park, the popular Totem Pole Ballroom, and the historical Waltham Watch Factory.
The event is free, and registration is not required. The library is located on the route of the 59 bus, or about a mile from the Newton Center stop on the D line. More information.