Annie Haven Thwing facts for kids
Annie Haven Thwing (July 4, 1851 – June 5, 1940) was an American writer and historian. She wrote books for children and spent many years studying the history of Boston, Massachusetts. Her work helped people learn more about the past.
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Annie Haven Thwing: Author and Historian
Annie Haven Thwing was known for two main things: writing stories for kids and researching history. She was also called A.H. Thwing or Anne Haven Thwing.
Writing for Young Readers
In 1899, Annie Thwing published a children's book called Chicken Little. This book retold the classic story of a chicken who thought the sky was falling. The book had fun pictures drawn by Nelly Littlehale Umbstaetter. It was a popular story for young readers.
Exploring Boston's Past
Annie Thwing was a dedicated historian. She spent a lot of time collecting facts about Boston's history.
The Boston Card Index
She created a huge collection of index cards filled with historical information about Boston. This collection was so big that it filled 74 drawers at the Massachusetts Historical Society! It was a valuable resource for anyone studying Boston's past.
A Model of Old Boston
Annie Thwing also built a special 3D model of Boston. This model showed what the town looked like in 1775. She based it on all her careful research. Today, you can see this amazing model on display at the Old South Meeting House in Boston.
A Best-Selling History Book
In 1920, Annie Thwing wrote a book about Boston's streets. It was called The Crooked & Narrow Streets of the Town of Boston 1630-1822. This book became a best-seller for the Boston Globe newspaper. It helped many people learn about how Boston grew over time.
Other Interests and Connections
Besides her work on Boston, Annie Thwing also wrote about Orr's Island, Maine. Her family had a home there. She also wrote letters to many famous people of her time. These included Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Alice James, and Edward Everett Hale. Annie Thwing also supported charities, like the Massachusetts Infant Asylum, which helped babies.
