On Aug. 11, 1834, a group of men burned the Charlestown Convent and School to the ground. Regardless of your religious beliefs or affiliations, it seems like bad karma to burn a convent. Fortunately the sisters and students left the convent before the fire, so no one died. Would you like to learn more about why the convent was torched? Who were the ring leaders? Curiously, the fire department arrived, but did not attempt to put out the fire? Why? There was a rumor about a young woman, who was being held against her will in the convent, was this true or false?
To learn the answer to these and other questions about this blight on Charlestown’s history, please attend the presentation on the Burning of the Charlestown Convent and School. The speaker is Nancy Lusignan Schultz an expert on the topic and author of Fire & Roses, The Burning of the Charlestown Convent, 1834. Schultz did extensive research to understand the real truth. The presentation is Tuesday Oct. 15, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the James W. Conway Bunker Hill Post 26, 23 Adams St. Charlestown, hosted by the Charlestown Historical Society.
