Summary
The West End Museum in Boston offers walking tours that delve into the neighborhood's darker historical narratives, featuring infamous figures and events. Tour guide J.D. Halperin highlights the story of Jane Toppin, a nurse trained at Massachusetts General Hospital in the 1800s who became a notorious serial killer. Known as "Jolly Jane," Toppin confessed to 31 murders, with suspicions of nearly 100 more. Her trial captivated the public, contrasting with the more commonly discussed Boston Strangler, illustrating a historical oversight in recognizing women's criminal notoriety.
Another significant stop on the tour is the Bullfinch Building, where a murder committed by doctor John Webster against his creditor, George Parkman, led to a landmark trial. This case was notable for being one of the first in the U.S. to allow scientific evidence in court, including dental records used to identify Parkman's dismembered remains. The trial garnered widespread attention, and Webster ultimately faced execution for his crime.
Halperin emphasizes that the history of the West End is intertwined with the stories of those displaced by urban development. The area, once home to significant historical events, has undergone substantial changes, with many original structures demolished for modern housing. The tour aims to uncover these hidden histories, inviting participants to explore the remnants of the past that still linger in the neighborhood.
Show Notes
Looking for some tricks or treats this week? The West End Museum is hosting Halloween walking tours of the neighborhood’s darker and more macabre historical sites. WBUR’s Sharon Brody got a preview of some of the stops from the Museum’s tour guide Jaydie Halperin.
More from WBUR News
Professor and researcher John Quackenbush recently took his research from Harvard to the University of Chicago. Quackenbush said he's one of several high profile scientists leaving Greater Boston, which will likely have long-term consequences for the state's economy.
A Brookline mother and daughter joins WBUR's Morning Edition to talk about their experience with limiting screentime. It comes as Beacon Hill looks to push a bill that would ban K-12 public school students from accessing their cellphones at schools across Massachusetts.
New England has dozens of small data centers like this, some of them decades old. With the increasing use of artificial intelligence, these facilities could get upgraded to handle AI computing.
Hasbro, the toymaker behind G.I. Joe, My Little Pony and Monopoly, is relocating to Boston's Seaport after more than 100 years in Rhode Island.
Under the second Trump administration, Massachusetts scientists have lost billions in funding, and curtailed more than a dozen clinical trials in the state. Ahead of the midterms, many scientists hope a new Congress will restore stability to federal support and get grant money out the door.