L- R: Sy Eastman, Sibelle Grisé, W.Dean Eastman

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend W. Dean Eastman on March 13, 2025 (Obituary).

Dean was a long time supporter of the Lawrence History Center, and donated hundreds of items over the years including rare books, a letter written by Abbott Lawrence, WWII material, and his family's papers. Dean was an incredible teacher, mentor, friend, philanthropist, and inspiration. He loved history, archives, and research, and shared that passion with countless students over the years, inspiring many along the way. This new generation of scholars is Dean's legacy. Dean and the Eastman Family name will live on through the Lawrence History Center archives, and future Eastman Fellows. Rest in Peace, Dean.

The W. Dean and Sy Eastman Student Research Fellowship was first awarded in 2021. The Fellowship is awarded to a high school or college student to conduct research (either a suggested project or one proposed by the fellow) that will be of mutual benefit to Lawrence History Center and the fellow.

Note: The Fellowship is temporarily suspended for 2025, but will resume in 2026. 

Please direct questions to Amita Kiley, amita@lawrencehistory.org.

 

Please enjoy the following W. Dean and Sy Eastman Student Research Fellow presentations:

  • 2024: Sara Valentina Alvarez Echavarria 

    For in-depth exploration of the Lawrence History Center’s archival collections to create a multi-media presentation on Lawrence as a city shaped by its people—especially by immigrants. From the mills of the 19th century to the cultural and economic diversity of today, Lawrence’s immigrant communities have built the city and continue to drive its future. The presentation -- "Lawrence, MA: From Industrial Idea to Immigrant City" -- demonstrated that while there are still challenges to face, the legacy of resilience, hard work, and hope is alive and well.  

     

  • 2024: Ryan Landry 

    [Shawsheen Village research conducted in memory of Joseph T. Broderick] 

    For in-depth exploration of the Lawrence History Center’s archival collections on public health, public water supply, Hiram F. Mills, the Lawrence Experiment Station, and the State Board of Health Reports, as well as the photographs, maps, atlases, and oral history collections to create an informational video about the history of wastewater treatment in Lawrence, MA. The video tells the story of how Lawrence became the first city in the United States to treat its municipal water for disease prevention and paved the way for public health advancements in other cities across the United States.  
     

     

  • 2024: Max Pont 

    For the in-depth exploration on the city of Lawrence and the broader region as a home to Lebanese, Syrian, and Armenian immigrant communities and their descendants. Your research paper "Cafes and Cultural Connection: Locating Lawrence’s 20th Century Lebanese, Syrian, and Armenian Coffee Cultures in the Lawrence History Center Archival Collections" showed that these immigrant communities founded a diverse array of social, cultural, and economic institutions in Lawrence and nearby communities, including coffee shops.  
     

     

  • 2023: Grace Kasabula 

    For in-depth exploration of the Lawrence History Center’s archival collections on public health, public water supply, Hiram F. Mills, the Lawrence Experiment Station, and the State Board of Health Reports, as well as the photographs, maps, atlases, and oral history collections to create an informational video about the history of wastewater treatment in Lawrence, MA. The video tells the story of how Lawrence became the first city in the United States to treat its municipal water for disease prevention and paved the way for public health advancements in other cities across the United States. 
     

     

  • 2023: Isabella Rozzi 

    For examining records from the Essex County Jail Records Collection for three different years—1864, 1900, and 1922—and collecting information such as age, gender, ethnicity, birthplace, offense, and sentencing of people from Lawrence. The analysis of the three time periods allowed for the comparison of statistics over time to identify changes in the economy, society, and politics in America through the lens of Lawrence, MA. 

    • Slideshow presentation (to be posted soon!)
    • Research paper (to be posted soon!)


     

  • 2022: Sibelle Grisé 

    For surveying, re-organizing, and researching our collections on Hispanic and Latino history in Lawrence, resulting in a more cohesive, detailed, and accessible archive. These efforts lay the groundwork for future donations to be more easily and thoughtfully integrated into the collection and allow for deeper exploration on post-WWII immigration history in Lawrence. 
     


     

  • 2021: Sarah Elizabeth McDermott 

    For research on the connection between the Lawrence History Center’s Essex County Jail Records (ECJR) and the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912. Analysis of records from 1910-1912 uncovered groundbreaking information regarding the newly arrived immigrant women jailed during the children’s exodus. Said findings serve as a call to action to use the ECJR as a tool to better understand local history.