Mass Historical Society: A New Perspective on the 19th Century Rivalry between New York and Boston

Date: 

Wednesday, June 29, 2016, 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Location: 

1154 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215

Michael Wheeler

Free – Registration requested

https://www.masshist.org/calendar/event?event=1889

Changing technology has introduced tools that can change the way we see and understand history.  Dr. Wheeler has degrees in history, computer science, international relations, and earned a PhD by using Historical Geographic Information Systems (HGIS) to develop three-dimensional, animated maps for studying historical events.  During the 19th Century urban rivalry between New York and Boston, small topographic features had large transportation effects that created winners and losers.  The bigger surprises come from understanding the timing and motivations for canal and railroad construction – through the act of correctly positioning internal improvements in space and time, we uncover new insights into 19th Century urban rivals, transportation profits, and international trade.