Author Stephen Puleo to kick off Milton Reads 2020

Best-selling author Stephen Puleo will launch this year’s Milton Reads with a discussion of his latest book, Voyage of Mercy: the USS Jamestown, the Irish Famine, and the Remarkable Story of America’s First Humanitarian Mission, on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. To maintain social distancing directives, this will be a virtual event.

“I am honored that Milton has selected Voyage of Mercy for its tenth ‘Milton Reads’ initiative,” Puleo said. “Milton residents should be proud that two great institutions, the Milton Public Library and the Forbes House Museum, are collaborating on this event to celebrate America’s extraordinary relief effort during the Irish famine, the nation’s and the world’s first international humanitarian mission. ”

Puleo is the award-winning historian and author of seven narrative American history books, including The Caning: The Assault That Drove America to Civil War and Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919.

Voyage of Mercy is this year’s selection for Milton Reads, the town-wide reading initiative that creates a shared cultural activity by exploring one book together as a community. It is a compelling story of tragedy, initiative, generosity and hope, and one with a strong connection to the town of Milton.

In March 1847, Milton’s Robert Bennet Forbes harnessed his wealth and influence to provision a U.S. ship and deliver humanitarian support to Ireland during the Great Hunger, the 1847 famine. The Forbes House Museum commemorates Captain Forbes and his family’s legacy of entrepreneurship, social action, and philanthropy. The museum on Adams Street supports discourse around civic engagement and cultural awareness through exhibits, lectures, and other programming.

“The Friends of the Library is pleased to help the town of Milton share this unique experience,” Friends of the Library President Vanessa Foster said. “Our goal is sponsoring enjoyable and educational programs to support the Library’s mission of connecting people to the world of ideas.”

The Friends of the Milton Public Library and the Forbes House Museum are co-sponsoring this online event; for video conferencing details, visit miltonlibrary.org and forbeshousemuseum.org.

New to Zoom and need instruction before the event? Contact [email protected]. Please join us!