How is the surrender of Detroit and Massachusetts connected? In the summer of 1812, on the banks of the Detroit River, the United States suffered its most disastrous military defeat of the nineteenth century. And it was all due to the almost unbelievable incompetence of a few local men: Henry Dearborn of Boston, William Eustis of Cambridge, and General William Hull of what is now Newton Corner. Join us and find out how a calamitous misunderstanding nearly led to the loss of the entire Northwest. A Disaster in Massachusetts will tell the story of this ignominious episode, which unfortunately set the tone for a decidedly inglorious war.

About Dan Breen: Dan Breen is an Associate Professor of the Practice of Legal Studies at Brandeis University. After receiving a law degree at the University of Georgia, Breen received a Ph.D. in American History at Boston College. His doctoral dissertation explored the Pragmatic jurisprudence of Henry J. Friendly, a long time judge on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and perhaps the greatest of Louis Brandeis' law clerks. Breen has been teaching law at Brandeis on a part-time basis since 1998, and began the duties of a full time instructor in the Legal Studies program in 2015. Breen is a resident of Somerville and a long-time member of the Somerville Museum. He is also an integral part of programs like Voices from Somerville, the Penny Chronicles exhibition, and many more events and programs.

ADMISSION: $10; active Museum members free (use code MEMBER); space is limited so we recommend purchasing tickets in advance.

PARKING: The Somerville Museum has no dedicated parking spots. Please note visitor parking spots on Westwood Road, Central Street, and Highland Ave. The City of Somerville offers free street parking on Sundays. Visit our website for more information.

ACCESSIBILITY: The Somerville Museum is now ADA compliant. For more information contact us at info@somervillemuseum.org.