Museum Talk: "Martin Lomasney: The Perfect Ward Boss"

West End Museum, 150 Staniford St, Boston, MA | Get Directions »
FREE

Ward politics was in decline in the 1920’s and the 1930’s. Martin Lomasney, the Ward Boss of the West End neighborhood was one of the last standing influential bosses from a bygone political era. Lomasney’s political reign, and the power of the Hendrick’s Club, did not fade in Boston until his death in 1933. “His Ward machine was the last ward machine in Boston,” says Joe McDonald. Lomasney held the power to sway entire elections, often waiting until the Sunday before election day to announce which candidates he supported, and the people of the West End, and in other Boston Wards, listened to him. Though many of his lieutenants in the Hendrick’s club tried to succeed him, Lomasney’s death brought about the end of an era in Boston politics. The talk will be accompanied by an oral history video shot by Jim Campano of a discussion about ward politics with Nelly Jackman, George Leary, and Joe Russo. Joe Mcdonald is president of the West End Civic Association; his father was a member of the Hendrick’s Club.