Join the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) for a free community open house commemorating 250 years since Boston printer and patriot Isaiah Thomas brought his printing press and newspaper, The Massachusetts Spy, to Worcester–a move that helped shape the American Revolution. Thomas’s original eighteenth-century press, which he named “no. 1,” is housed at AAS, the national research library of American history he founded in 1812. During the open house, visitors of all ages will be able to view “No. 1” and learn about its remarkable history, as well as try their hand at operating a full size, exact replica of the press. Other activities included guided behind-the-scenes tours showing how AAS stores and preserves its vast collections of original printed materials from before 1900, exploring and touching a variety of early American publications, and more. Complimentary refreshments will be available. All are welcome!
On April 16, 1775, printer Isaiah Thomas smuggled his printing press out of Boston to Worcester so it wouldn’t be seized by the British. Three days later the Battles of Concord and Lexington started the American Revolution. On May 3, 1775, with his press safely in Worcester, Thomas produced the first thing ever printed in the city: his newspaper, The Massachusetts Spy, which included his eye-witness account of the battles. The Spy became known as one of the most important newspapers in the colonies, instrumental in garnering support for the war for independence.
Thomas would later found the American Antiquarian Society, a national research library that collects and makes accessible to all more than four million original printed, handwritten, and visual sources from North America before 1900.
