Reading Historians Everett and Virginia Blodgett At Whitelam

A release from Whitelam Books:

READING, Ma. – Whitelam Books is thrilled to welcome Reading authors and historians, Everett and Virginia Blodgett as they present their book, "Images of America: Reading" on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 pm.

If you missed the event earlier this spring at RCTV where Ginny and Everett shared photos and stories about and from this book, now you have another chance. This event is free and open to the public – all are welcome! Books will be available for purchase and signing.

The town of Reading began as Lynn Village in 1639, when a four-mile grant for an "inland plantation" that included present-day Reading and Wakefield was settled by a small group of inhabitants from Lynn. On April 19, 1775, Readingites marched to Meriam's Corner and helped drive the British back to Charlestown. During its 375-year history, Reading has seen many changes. Its initial settlement in the woods, Wood End, became a village of farms with countless stone walls. Beginning in the late 18th century, the town saw the development of widespread industry. The manufacturing of shoes, clocks, neckties, organ pipes, and more was led by prominent residents such as Everett Richardson, Daniel Pratt Jr., and the Damon, Temple, Pierce, and Appleton families. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Reading has further evolved into a suburban community of homes and light industry with easy access to major highways and the train to Boston.

Everett A. and Virginia D. Blodgett moved to Reading in 1982 and have been active in the community, encouraging an understanding of Reading's history and its place in the growth of the United States. In this volume, they will share their collection of Reading photographs and memorabilia to offer a glimpse into the past as a tool to help understand change and a way to share new discoveries.

Whitelam Books is located in downtown Reading at 610 Main Street, near the intersection of Haven Street and Main Street.