The Neil Cronin Leading Lexingtonians Lecture Series
The Neil Cronin Leading Lexingtonians Lecture Series, also referred to by the shorter name The Cronin Lectures, is a series of 3 or 4 lectures presented annually by the Lexington Historical Society in honor of Neil Cronin.
This year's lectures will be:
October 16, 2012 - The War of 1812 - Lecture by President James Madison (a/ka/
John Douglas Hall)
February 8, 2013 – Rum and Revolution An evening of music, history and a taste of
rum featuring Jeremy Bell and Lawrence Young.
March 22, 2013 - Church and State 1620-1832 - With Richard Parker and Faith
Ferguson.
This year's lectures will be:
October 16, 2012 - The War of 1812 - Lecture by President James Madison (a/ka/
John Douglas Hall)
February 8, 2013 – Rum and Revolution An evening of music, history and a taste of
rum featuring Jeremy Bell and Lawrence Young.
March 22, 2013 - Church and State 1620-1832 - With Richard Parker and Faith
Ferguson.
The remainder of this page has several sections:
Posters Announcing Lectures from Previous Years
February 2011 (click to enlarge)
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March 2011 (click to enlarge)
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October 2003 (click to enlarge)
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Mission
The Neil Cronin Leading Lexingtonians Lecture Series is established to honor Leading Lexingtonian Cornelius Cronin on the occasion of his 100th birthday, May 4, 2003. The Series shall be sponsored and produced by the Lexington Historical Society and shall provide free, educational and entertaining programs featuring people and/or subjects relating to the Town of Lexington.
The Neil Cronin Leading Lexingtonians Lecture Series Committee shall consist of no more than five (5) persons appointed by the president of the Lexington Historical Society. The Committee shall produce a minimum of three (3) programs per year. In producing the programs, the Committee shall give preference to those persons who were born in Lexington or have resided in Lexington and have distinguished themselves beyond the Town of Lexington.
The Neil Cronin Leading Lexingtonians Lecture Series Committee shall consist of no more than five (5) persons appointed by the president of the Lexington Historical Society. The Committee shall produce a minimum of three (3) programs per year. In producing the programs, the Committee shall give preference to those persons who were born in Lexington or have resided in Lexington and have distinguished themselves beyond the Town of Lexington.
Cornelius "Neil" Cronin
Excerpted from the 2006 Annual Report, Town of Lexington:
A life of more than one hundred and three years is a remarkable achievement. Such a life that consists of important contributions to his town and its citizens is an even greater accomplishment. Cornelius "Neil" Cronin lived such a life. He lived his entire life in Lexington, in only two houses, first on Cottage Street, then on Utica Street from the age of seven until his death on November 11, 2006. He was the son of Irish immigrants, his father employed as a gardener on the Tower Estate. He attended Monroe Elementary School and Lexington High School (class of 1921) . He graduated from Boston University School of Business Administration in 1926.
Unflappable and congenial, Neil served the Town of Lexington as the Town Assessor for twenty -five years —from 1948 to 1973. During World War II having been discharged from the Army for being too old to serve, he immediately became a Senior Town Warden, helping to protect the town during a tense time in our history. Later, he became the Director of Guides on the Green, from 1980 to 1991, at which time he was awarded the title of “Director of Guides Emeritus.” Until a year or two before his death, he still conducted personal tours upon request.
His search for knowledge about Lexington, and especially its people, was insatiable, and his eagerness to share that knowledge unbounded. He loved to tell stories of Lexington, particularly the events and people that he personally experienced. During his last few years, he was pleased to share his knowledge officially with a number of high school students writing papers for a class entitled "Investigating Lexington's History. " He proudly judged Patriots' Day parade floats for many years and was tremendously proud of the White TricornHat presented to him in 1983 for being Lexington's leading citizen. In 1987, he was awarded the Minuteman Cane for being an inspiration to our older citizens. An Honorary Life Member of the Lexington Company of Minute Men, the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, and the Lexington Historical Society, he received the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary Club in 1994. A deeply patriotic man, Neil was an active member of the American Legion Stanley Hill Post, No. 38, based in Lexington for 57 years.
In May 2003, Neil was honored with a special birthday celebration. In tribute to his remarkable life, the Lexington Historical Society created the Cornelius P. Cronin Leading Lexingtonians Lecture Series to feature people who have lived in the community and distinguished themselves beyond Lexington. The first program featured Neil himself, being interviewed by his grandchildren.
On October 23, 2005, Neil, then age 102, as the Historical Society's oldest Life Member, and Sam Doran, at age 11 the Society's youngest Life Member, shared the ribbon - cutting duties at the Grand Opening of the Lexington Historical Society's renovated Depot building.
Neil's love of Lexington was second only to his love for his family. His devotion to his wife Mildred, his children, Anne Cronin Cave and Neil, Jr., and his grandchildren was unwavering.
The core of Neil's one hundred and three years was his curiosity for and interest in everyone he encountered. His greatest legacy is, perhaps, his ability to connect with people of all ages, and to make history literally come alive, for our young people especially, but also for all of the citizens of Lexington and beyond.
A life of more than one hundred and three years is a remarkable achievement. Such a life that consists of important contributions to his town and its citizens is an even greater accomplishment. Cornelius "Neil" Cronin lived such a life. He lived his entire life in Lexington, in only two houses, first on Cottage Street, then on Utica Street from the age of seven until his death on November 11, 2006. He was the son of Irish immigrants, his father employed as a gardener on the Tower Estate. He attended Monroe Elementary School and Lexington High School (class of 1921) . He graduated from Boston University School of Business Administration in 1926.
Unflappable and congenial, Neil served the Town of Lexington as the Town Assessor for twenty -five years —from 1948 to 1973. During World War II having been discharged from the Army for being too old to serve, he immediately became a Senior Town Warden, helping to protect the town during a tense time in our history. Later, he became the Director of Guides on the Green, from 1980 to 1991, at which time he was awarded the title of “Director of Guides Emeritus.” Until a year or two before his death, he still conducted personal tours upon request.
His search for knowledge about Lexington, and especially its people, was insatiable, and his eagerness to share that knowledge unbounded. He loved to tell stories of Lexington, particularly the events and people that he personally experienced. During his last few years, he was pleased to share his knowledge officially with a number of high school students writing papers for a class entitled "Investigating Lexington's History. " He proudly judged Patriots' Day parade floats for many years and was tremendously proud of the White TricornHat presented to him in 1983 for being Lexington's leading citizen. In 1987, he was awarded the Minuteman Cane for being an inspiration to our older citizens. An Honorary Life Member of the Lexington Company of Minute Men, the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, and the Lexington Historical Society, he received the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary Club in 1994. A deeply patriotic man, Neil was an active member of the American Legion Stanley Hill Post, No. 38, based in Lexington for 57 years.
In May 2003, Neil was honored with a special birthday celebration. In tribute to his remarkable life, the Lexington Historical Society created the Cornelius P. Cronin Leading Lexingtonians Lecture Series to feature people who have lived in the community and distinguished themselves beyond Lexington. The first program featured Neil himself, being interviewed by his grandchildren.
On October 23, 2005, Neil, then age 102, as the Historical Society's oldest Life Member, and Sam Doran, at age 11 the Society's youngest Life Member, shared the ribbon - cutting duties at the Grand Opening of the Lexington Historical Society's renovated Depot building.
Neil's love of Lexington was second only to his love for his family. His devotion to his wife Mildred, his children, Anne Cronin Cave and Neil, Jr., and his grandchildren was unwavering.
The core of Neil's one hundred and three years was his curiosity for and interest in everyone he encountered. His greatest legacy is, perhaps, his ability to connect with people of all ages, and to make history literally come alive, for our young people especially, but also for all of the citizens of Lexington and beyond.
CORNELIUS P. CRONIN
A Lifetime of Giving Back to Lexington
Material drawn from biographical essay written by Li-Mei Lim in 2004 as a high school project, based primarily on personal interviews with Neil.
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May 4, 1903
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Born on Manley Court. Two older brothers and one younger sister. All four attend Munroe School, Lexington High School and Boston
University. |
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1910
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Family moves to Utica Street, where Neil spends the rest of his life.
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Childhood
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Enjoyed Lexington Park and the trolley ride to it. Played baseball and football, swimming, hiking, skating and hunting. Took care of chickens, sold blueberries picked from conservation land adjacent to home. Also worked on local farms.
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1915
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Appears as young Indian boy in the “Pageant of Lexington”.
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1921
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Graduates Lexington High School.
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1926
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Graduates Boston University College of Business Administration. Begins work at Ward’s Stationary in Boston, then Harris Stamps, also in Boston.
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World War II
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Drafted to First Cavalry Division and Third Reconnaissance Squadron. Determined to be too Old (38) so was discharged in 1942. Became a Senior Air Warden for Lexington, looking for German planes and enforcing blackout rules.
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1948
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Begins 25-year stint as Lexington Town Assessor.
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1980
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Begins 11-year stint as Head Guide on the Green.
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1983
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Awarded White Tricorn by Lions Club.
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1999
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Chief Marshal for Patriots’ Day Parade.
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2000
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Honorary Chief Marshal for Patriots’ Day Parade.
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Family
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Wife Mildred, daughter Anne, son Neil, Jr., six grandchildren.
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Other
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Honorary Member of Lexington Minutemen
Honorary Life Member of Lexington Historical Society Maker and presenter of gavels crafted from elm limbs fallen on Lexington Green. |
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November 11, 2006
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Cornelius (“Neil”) Cronin dies at the age of 103.
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Past Cronin Lecture Series Programs
2011 - 2012
2010 - 2011
2009-2010
2008-2009
2007-2008
2006-2007
2005-2006
2004-2005
2003-2004
- 1861: the Civil War Awakening - Author Adam Goodheart.
- Theodore Parker, Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Many Revolutions of Lexington and
Concord - lecture by Richard Smith. - Ratification: The People Debate the Constitution 1787-1788 – Author Pauline Maier.
2010 - 2011
- Lafayette and the Farewell Tour: Odyssey of an American Idol – Lecture by Alan
Hoffman and exhibit by Elaine Doran, LHS Curator. - Life at Sea: A Voyage in Song - Performance by David Coffin
- Midnight Ride, Industrial Dawn: Paul Revere and the Growth of American Enterprise -
Author Robert Martello.
2009-2010
- Satchel Paige - Author Larry Tye
- Theodore Parker at 200 - Dean Grodzins.
- The Lexington Militia April 19, 1775: Up Close and Personal - Lecture by Bill Poole.
2008-2009
- Benjamin Carp speaking on his upcoming book on the Boston Tea party.
- Blindspot - Authors Jill LePore and Jane Kamensky.
- The Boston Massacre Trial: Is the Adams Television Portrayal Accurate? - By the Honorable Hiller Zobel.
2007-2008
- The Naked Quaker: True Crimes and Controversy from the Courts of Colonial New England - Author Diane Rappaport.
- So Help Me God: The Founding Father and the First Great Battle Over Church and State - author Forrest Church.
- Could the British Have Won the American War of Independence - Lecture by Jeremy Black.
2006-2007
- The Ghost Army of World War II - Lecture by Rick Beyer.
- The U. S. Economy: Strong Dynamic Locomotive or An Accident Waiting to Happen - Lecture by Nariman Behravesh.
- Writing the Script for How-To Television - Russ Morash
2005-2006
- Untold Stories of the Kennedy White House and Kennedy Library: A Conversation with Dan Fenn - Interview by Sue Rockwell.
- Town Meeting perspectives, Then and Now - Panel discussion with Margery Battin, Robert Kent, Shirley Hill Stolz and Donna Hooper.
- On Being an Artist in Lexington – Lecture by Natalie Warshawer.
2004-2005
- Snapshots of Lexington, 1775, 1875 and Present - Panel discussion with Police Chief Chris Casey, Fire Chief William Middlemiss, DPW head Bill Hadley, and Ed Grant.
- Comets and Asteroids: are they heading our way? - Brian Marsden, Astronomer with Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge.
- The American Revolution and its Significance for Today’s Fight Against Terrorism - Lecture by Dr. Edith Flynn.
2003-2004
- Cronin grandchildren interview Neil Cronin at his 100th birthday party sponsored by the Lexington Historical Society.
- Lexington’s Townscape - Lecture by Ronald Fleming followed by panel discussion with Dan Fenn, Moderator, Sara Chase, Larry Whipple, David Kelland.
- The World Wide Web - Lecture by Timothy Berners-Lee
- Lecture by Christopher Bing, on his career as an illustrator.
147 Gavels Made by Neil Cronin
- 1959 Cornelius (Neil) Cronin, The Artisan who fashioned the historic gavels
- 1959 Rev. Harold Hanley, Church of Our Redeemer, First Gavel made, went to English Hegota, Indonesia
- 1960 William Maloney, Selectman, Town of Lexington, Arlex Oil Corp.
- 1960 Raymond James, Selectman, Town of Lexington
- 1960 Bert Gustin, Chairman, Town Celebrations Committee
- 1961 Lincoln Cole, Moderator, Town Meetings, House of Representatives for Lexington
- 1963 Governor John Volpe, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- 1963 Charles Parks, Chairman, Town Celebrations Committee
- 1965 Otis Brown, Chairman, Lexington School Committee
- 1965 John Blaisdell, Chairman, Appropriations Committee
- 1971 Joseph Rooney, President, Lexington Lions Club
- 1972 Ralph Cataldo, President, The Massachusetts Farm Bureau
- 1972 Bradford Morse (Lowell), United Nations Staff, New York
- 1973 Ray Barnes, Chairman, Town Celebrations Committee
- 1973 Peter Fitzpatrick, Judge, USN, Norfolk, VA, Marion Fitzpatrick’s son
- 1974 James Corr, Police Chief, Town of Lexington
- 1974 Bob Sacco, Lexington Press, Selectman, Town of Lexington
- 1974 Marion Snow, Executive Clerk, Board of Selectmen
- 1975 Dolores Hidalgo, Sister City from Mexico, 50 visitors to Bicentennical
- 1975 Cary Library (Lexington Room), Bicentennial Town Meeting, on the Common
- 1975 President Gerald R. Ford, Bicentennial visit to Lexington, Museum, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- 1975 Alfred Busa, Selectman, Town of Lexington
- 1976 Bob Kent, Selectman, Town of Lexington
- 1978 Boy Scout Troop No. 160 St. Brigid Parish, Bill Hooper, Volunteer
- 1978 Sam McDonald, Realtor, Weston, Massachusetts
- 1979 Laura B. and Neil Cronin, Son and daughter-in-law
- 1980 Rev. Mgr. John Keilty, St. Brigid Church, 40th Anniversary
- 1980 AARP at Hancock Church, William Weiss, President
- 1980 Angela (Jere) Frick, Chairman, Conservation Committee
- 1982 Stephen Doran, Representative, State House, for Lexington
- 1982 Anne and Clint Cave, Daughter and her husband
- 1982 Thomas Wenham, Town Assessor, Lexington
- 1982 Mary Miley, Chairman, Board of Selectman
- 1983 Roland King, C. V. 16 Airplane Carrier, Named Lexington, Built at Quincy, MA, WW II
- 1983 Jack Lawson, Principal, Lexington High School
- 1983 Alfred and Frances Fusco, 40th Wedding Anniversary, New Jersey
- 1983 Betsy and Wilson Brown, Richmond, VA, Laura’s mother and father
- 1983 James F. Crain, Chairman, Board of Selectmen, Lexington
- 1984 Louis A. Zehner, Treasurer, Town of Lexington
- 1984 Jay Cronin, Eagle Scout, Milton, Massachusetts
- 1985 Lexington Historical Society, 100 years 1886-1986, Wilbur Jaquith, President, at Masonic Hall
- 1985 Chief Christopher Casey, Lexington Police Department
- 1985 Betty Ballard, President, New England Chapter, American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers
- 1985 Marjorie Battin, Moderator, Town of Lexington, Town Meetings
- 1985 Anthony Bicchieri, Commander, The American Legion in Massachusetts
- 1986 Brian Cronin, Eagle Scout, Milton
- 1986 Mary McDonough, Town Clerk 42 years, Lexignton
- 1986 Dominick Genetti, Adjutant, American Legion, at State House
- 1986 Dot Dickson, Commander, American Legion for Massachusetts
- 1986 Ruth Morey, Selectman, President, Lexington Historical Society
- 1986 Bea Roberts, Guide, Hancock-Clarke House
- 1986 Rev. Arnold F. Coletti, St. Brigid Parish, Moved to Malden Parish – Back to Sacred Heart 1994
- 1986 John Swift, Past Commander, Massachusetts American Legion, State House
- 1986 Dr. Robert C. Stewart, M. D., Retired doctor in Lexington
- 1986 Susan Cronin Burchard, Artist, Weston, Massachusetts
- 1987 John (Jake) Comer, National Commander, The American Legion
- 1987 Bob Hutchinson, Town Manager, Town of Lexington
- 1987 David Williams, Chairman, Planning Board, Lexington
- 1987 Richard Perry, Comptroller, Town of Lexington
- 1987 Peg McDonough, Emerson Gardens, Christmas gift to a friend
- 1987 James Cataldo, Fire Department, Town Employees Credit Union Treasurer
- 1988 Rotary Wheel, Priscilla Eagle, et al, Gavel to National Convention, Stavangar, Norway
- 1988 Thomas Sullivan, Custodian, Adams School
- 1988 Mae Wall, Brookside Avenue, 100th Birthday Celebration, Beverly
- 1988 Dorothy Ryder, Secretary, Board of Assessors
- 1988 Sr. Marie LaBollita, S. C., St. Brigid Parish associate
- 1989 Lexington Chamber of Commerce, 50th Anniversary at Sheraton Hotel
- 1989 Paul Mazarell, Superintendent D. P. W., 39 Years Town of Lexington
- 1989 Louis Tropeano, President, Lexington Senior Citizens Club
- 1989 Natalie Riffin, Chairman, Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission
- 1989 Lexington Lions Club, Victor Ouelette, President, 25th Anniversary 1936-1986
- 1989 Jerry and Carol McNamara, Married at Charlotte, N.C. 10-21-89
- 1989 Tom and Lee Baird, 50th Anniversary at Andover, son’s home
- 1989 Alan Woodbury (Lincoln Terrace, Lexington), Birthday gift from his mother
- 1989 Dr. Albert Young, M. D. (Surgeon), Lexington and Symmes Hospital, Arlington
- 1990 Will Cronin, Milton, Massachusetts, Eagle Scout
- 1990 Rev. Stephen McHealey, St. Brigid Parish, Assigned to St. James, Arlington
- 1990 James McLaughlin, Chairman, Lexington Housing Authority, Town Meeting Member
- 1992 Dr. Joyce Lee Malcolm, Director, New England Heritage Center, Bentley College
- 1992 Lexington Senior Citizens Club, James Nicoloro, President
- 1992 Junior High School (Mock Town Meeting) at Museum, 1833 citizens represented by students, moderator and clerk
- 1992 Dale Gassland, Park Superintendent, Tree Warden, Battle Green, Parks
- 1992 Sacred Heart Parish, Clare McDonough, Women’s Club at East Lexington
- 1992 Bob O’Keefe, Grand Knight, Lexington Knights of Columbus No. 94
- 1992 Dr. Clement M. Silvestro (gavel at Museum), Museum of Our National Heritage
- 1993 Chief Paul Furdon, Lexington Police Department
- 1993 Anne Scigliano, Chairman, Board of Appeals
- 1993 James McInnis, School Department Comptroller
- 1993 Mary Shanahan Shunney, Chairman, Housing Authority, Town Meeting Member
- 1993 Daughters of the American Revolution, Shirley Lane, President
- 1993 Merion Ritter, President AARP, American Association of Retired Persons
- 1993 William P. Fitzgerald, Chairman, Town Celebrations Committee, 1971-1992
- 1993 Friends of Council on Aging, Auction, donation by Dick Perry and Peg
- 1993 Friends of Council on Aging, Auction, Donation by Bev and Peter Kelley
- 1993 Ray Flynn, Town Celebrations Committee
- 1993 Raymond J. Culler, Chairman Emeritus, Cary Lecture Committee
- 1993 Philip Borquist, Grand Master of Masons, Massachusetts
- 1994 Bruce Theisen, National Commander, The American Legion
- 1994 Harold (Hank) Brady, Assessor, Town of Bedford
- 1994 Phyllis Smith, Executive Secretary (retired 2003), Board of Selectmen, 25th anniversary at Lexington
- 1994 Robert Hilton, Librarian, Cary Memorial Library
- 1995 Dr. Joseph Marr Cronin, President, Bentley College, 60th birthday
- 1995 Chief John McDonough, Jr. Ret., Lexington Fire Department
- 1995 Chief John R. Quinlan, Ret., Lexington Fire Department
- 1995 Alice Hinkle, Editor and Writer (Publisher), Lexington Minuteman newspaper
- 1995 Kristin Nordahl, President, Lexington Lions Club
- 1995 Richard Spiers, Superintendent, Department of Public Works
- 1995 Fred Brinklow, Contractor of homes, Lexington
- 1995 Francis W. K. Smith, Chairman, Board of Appeals
- 1995 Representative Jay R. Kaufman, House of Representatives, Boston
- 1995 David Holmes, Headmaster, Christian Heritage Academy, Delaware City, Oklahoma
- 1996 Donald Gillespie, Jr. Music Director, Lexington High School and Bicentennial Band
- 1996 Bebe Fallick, Town Clerk, Lexington
- 1996 S. Lawrence Whipple (75th birthday), Lexington Historical Society, Historian
- 1996 Timothy J. (Ted) Hansberry, President, Lexington Savings Bank
- 1997 Susan Rockwell, President, Lexington Historical Society
- 1997 William J. Dailey, Jr., Chairman, Lexington Board of Selectmen
- 1997 Anne Ireland, Curator, Lexington Historical Society
- 1997 Roberta F. Briggs, Auburn, Board of Health (George Smith)
- 1997 Elsa R. Sullivan, House Chairman, Munroe Tavern
- 1997 James J. Luma, Captain, Lexington Police Department
- 1997 Susan Fargo, Senator, Fifth Middlesex District
- 1998 Anthony Jordan, National Commander, The American Legion
- 1998 Leo P. McSweeney, Chairman, Lexington Board of Selectmen
- 1998 Grace M. Ayers, President, Lexington Lions Club
- 1999 Alice and Dick May, Hancock-Clarke House Chairmen
- 1999 Dan Fenn, Selectman, Town of Lexington
- 1999 Dan Busa, Selectman, Town of Lexington
- 1999 Lexington Minute Men, Gift to, Sister City, Antony, France, Circle dedication
- 1999 Tina Fredricks, Teacher, Fourth Grade, Bridge School
- 1999 Thomas M. Finneran, Speaker, House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- 1999 Joe R. Medlin, Operations Manager, D. P. W., Lexington
- 1999 John J. McWeeney, Chairman, Board of Appeals
- 1999 Stephen Politi, Chairman, Historic Districts Commission
- 2000 George A. Woodbury, Director, Department of Public Works
- 2000 Marcy Quill, President, Lexington Chamber of Commerce
- 2000 Leslie J. McKittrick, Commander, The American Legion in Massachusetts
- 2000 Robert V. Whitman, Chairman, Board of Appeals
- 2000 David Wells, Jr., President, Lexington Historical Society, Museum Superintendant
- 2001 Elizabeth B. Eddison, Selectman, 1993, John C. Eddison, Selectman, 1984
- 2001 Norman Cohen, Town Counsel, Town of Lexington
- 2001 Dr. George C. Hewitt, M. D., Lexington, Massachusetts
- 2001 Edwin Whittemore, Chairman, Board of Appeals
- 2001 Barbara and Ed Martin, 45th Class Reunion, Tufts College
- 2002 Richard J. Santos, National Commander, The American Legion
- 2002 Chief Peter Torode, Lexington Fire Department
- 2002 Cathy Abbott, Selectman, Town of Lexington
