The Baker family influenced popular culture in America for more than one hundred years, through newspapers, plays, books, short stories, and film. They were best-sellers in their time, known on the street, in the theater, and at the publishing house. But who remembers them now? Albert Baker was first. His father was a sail-maker in … More The Boston Bakers: 100 Years of Forgotten Best Sellers
One hundred fifty years ago, September 5, 1866, at 5 Chardon Street in Boston, Maria Emily Baker was born to George Melville Baker and Emily Frances (Boles) Baker. If there were an “On the Day You Were Born” greeting card back then, it could have included some of these… “Here are the headlines on the … More Happy 150th Birthday, Emilie Loring!
If Emilie had climbed the Park Street Church tower in 1872 and looked west, past the Boston Common, she would have seen a view like this one. In the near ground is the Public Garden. On the left is the Arlington Street Church, the Church of the Covenant towers behind on Newbury Street, and Commonwealth Avenue … More When the best stories are both new and old
It has long been said that the requisite possessions of every true Bostonian are a Boston Bag, a subscription to the Transcript and a high moral purpose. Emilie Loring walked each morning from her home on Beacon Hill to the fifth floor of the Boston Athenaeum where she wrote. She brought her materials with her–rough draft, … More That Most Excellent Accessory, The Boston Bag
Once again, I have Emilie Loring to thank. In a rush to produce a tasty breakfast with no more than I had in the pantry, I pulled out her recipe for bran muffins. The very thing! We enjoy bran muffins when cold and sliced more than any others. For the Comfort of the Family Emilie … More Keep a Little Caviar in the Cupboard
One of the delightful things about reading is the chance to step into another world. Emilie enjoyed that about writing, too. “I devote from nine to ten months to a novel and during the major part of each day I exist in the world I am creating. Why spend all that time in a sordid … More “I Like Charming Surroundings.”
The Bakers were an entertaining family. Emilie’s father acted, gave readings, and wrote eighty-nine amateur plays in his spare time. The family put on plays for weeks at a time in their home, and the children took part before they were even in school. Rachel, Emilie, and Robert belonged to an acting troupe at their church that put … More Entertainment Brings A New Spirit, A New Resolve
The Emilie Loring Collection 