Speech #980058049

For its first 240 years. it remained an independent community. In 1870. it was annexed by the city of Boston. Even today. 113 years after it was absorbed by Boston. after witnessing many waves of immigrants since the first settlers. after many changes in its cultural and ethnic makeup. Dorchester maintains its distinctive identity and sense of its history. Dorchesters pride in its history and sense of community has been due in substantial measure to the efforts of the Dorchester Historical Society. which has chronicled the many passages of the neighborhood and has preserved many significant relics of its past.