Lowell historian Richard P. Howe Jr., will share the story of this fascinating city and will explore its many connections with the people and communities of Essex County. Lowell burst on the American scene in the 1820s as the center of textile manufacturing in America. Innovation was central to Lowell’s success and the city became a magnet for those with talent, energy and drive. But after the Civil War, a host of factors contributed to the city’s gradual decline. The Great Depression came early and stayed late in Lowell. Then in the late 1970s, things changed. The meteoric rise of Wang Labs, the creation of Lowell National Historic Park and inspired civic and political leadership launched a revival that has made Lowell one of the most exciting mid-sized cities in post-industrial America.

Richard P. Howe Jr. is the Register of Deeds for the Middlesex Northern District and the founder of Lowell Walks, which presents walking tours of downtown Lowell in partnership with Lowell National Historic Park. He holds a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and an M.A. in history from Salem State University. He lectures frequently on Lowell history and on the use of land records in genealogical research.