Arlington's Other Mill Brook: The Mystic River

First in the early colonial era and then again in Victorian times, the then-tidal Mystic River was used as a power source for mills in Arlington.  Colorful tales of progress—and the heated conflicts these brought about—will be shared.  The Mystic River and Lakes have undergone massive changes through the centuries, and this illustrated talk encompasses fascinating dimensions of environmental, industrial, and recreational history. This lecture is offered in conjunction with the Mill’s history exhibit, “The Power of Water.”

Richard Duffy has been continuously involved with the Old Schwamb Mill in various capacities for close to three decades: as a volunteer, on the board of trustees at the turn of the last century, and most recently with long service as an active member of the OSM board of advisors.  He returned to a role in OSM management as treasurer in 2022.  Mr. Duffy has served in leadership roles on the Arlington Historical Commission, the Arlington Historical Society, and the Arlington Libraries Foundation.  He is the author of four books on Arlington history, countless newspaper articles on historical topics, has lectured in the U.S. and Europe on a wide array of historical subjects, including commerce, architecture, agriculture, and biography; and he has developed and led several historical walking tours. He has a special research interest in water-powered mills generally, especially tide mills.  In addition, Mr. Duffy has made several guest appearances on the PBS television series “This Old House.”  He earned undergraduate degrees at the American University of Paris and Tufts University, holds an MBA from Boston College, and is a diplomate of the University of Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV).