The Coconut Grove Fire of 1942

In 1942, the place to be and be seen in Boston was the Coconut Grove nightclub in the Bay Village. The terrible fire that engulfed the Coconut Grove on November 28 of that year remains the worst nightclub fire in US history. In its wake, Massachusetts and other states adopted regulations for public buildings that most of us experience, and benefit from, every day.

Watch the recording of this event: https://youtu.be/ZoRhO-Sar5Y

About the Presenter

Daniel Breen is a Professor of Legal Studies at Brandeis University, and longtime presenter at the BFPL. His past talks have included Great American Songs, World War One, Great Moments in Space Exploration, the Plains Indians Wars, True Life British Mysteries, Scientific Geniuses, and the History of China. Dan has recently written a book on the public monuments of Boston that is expected to be published next year.  

This lecture series is made possible by the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library and a generous donation by Judie C. Toti in memory of Norman E. Toti.