Episode 019: Kenneth Turino, The Colonial Boston Marketplace

by Liz CovartMarch 3, 2015

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Have you ever wondered where colonial Americans purchased their food?

Although many colonial Americans lived in rural areas or on farms where they could grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs, graze their livestock, or hunt wild game, many others lived in early American cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Charleston.

Where did these colonial city-dwellers get their food?

Kenneth Turino, the Manager of Community Relations and Exhibitions for Historic New England, joins us to explore the colonial Boston marketplace.

About the Show

Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.

It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.

Each episode features a conversation with an historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early American history.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Kenneth Turino, Manager of Community Relations and Exhibitions for Historic New England, leads us on an exploration of the colonial Boston marketplace.

Ken will reveal the origins of the Boston marketplace from the colonial period to the present; How everyday men and women bought and sold food during the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th centuries; Why Peter Faneuil offered to build Faneuil Hall in 1742 and why his fellow Bostonians nearly turned down his generous offer.

What You’ll Discover

Information about Historic New England, the oldest heritage organization in the United States
The types of properties that Historic New England cares for
What The Haymarket Project is and why Ken and Historic New England chose to undertake it
How Haymarket developed out of the colonial Boston Marketplace
Information about the first open-air marketplace in colonial Boston
How peddlers sold goods in 17^th-century Boston
The first market building in Boston (1635)
Who sold the peddlers’ goods: men or women
Who purchased goods at the market: men or women
How men and women purchased goods during the colonial currency shortage
How the Boston Market District developed from the 17^th century through the American Revolution
How, why, and where Boston established 3 public markets in 1734
Why an angry mob dressed as clergymen destroyed the central market in 1737
Why Peter Faneuil offered to build Faneuil Hall, a new market house in the center of the Market District and why Bostonians almost said “No”
Why Boston built Quincy Market between 1824 and 1826
The types of goods sold at Quincy Market in the early-to-mid 19th century
How Haymarket fits into the picture of Boston’s early American markets
How Haymarket combined the formal marketplace with Bostonians’ preference for buying goods from peddlers
How Haymarket operates today
Present-day threats to the Haymarket
Ken’s tips for experiencing Haymarket during your next visit
When Ken and Historic New England will offers tours of the Haymarket in 2015