B4 507: David Mugar Boston Fourth of July Collection, 1907 - 2016
Scope and Contents
David Mugar was the executive producer of Boston’s Fourth of July celebration from 1974-2016. This collection consists of his production and administrative files, related newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and clips of the performances on the Esplanade.
Note: The first Esplanade concert occurred on July 15th, 1929. The collection contains some newspaper articles that pre-date not only David Mugar’s Boston’s Fourth of July celebrations but the Esplanade concerts as well.
Dates
- 1907 - 2016
Creator
- Mugar, David G. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Biographical / Historical
David Mugar, (b. 1939, d. 2022) was an Armenian-American businessman and philanthropist who was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was the son of Stephen P. Mugar, the founder of Star market, and attended Babson College, graduating in 1962. Mugar served as chairman and CEO of Mugar Enterprises, Inc., is credited with the creation of Boston’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, and was the former owner of WHDH-TV and Radio.
In 1973, David Mugar discussed the possibility of expanding the DCR Esplanade concert series with Boston Symphony Orchestra Conductor Arthur Fiedler. The next year, Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” was played alongside the addition of church bells and fireworks. From 1974 to 2016, Mugar spearheaded the event. His role as executive producer of Boston’s Fourth of July celebration led to the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular being known as one of the premier Independence Day celebrations.
In addition to the Fourth of July event, Mugar also founded the Boston 4 Celebrations Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on producing large-scale, free community events in the Greater Boston and New England area.
Extent
52 Cubic Feet (37 record center boxes, 7 flat files, 1 DVD box, and 2 oversized boxes (17 x 17 x 17 inches))
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
From the Collection: German
From the Collection: Japanese
Abstract
The David G. Mugar Fourth of July on the Esplanade Collection contains various media formats, production and administrative files, newspaper clippings, photographs, and objects representing the history of Boston’s Fourth of July Esplanade events.
Arrangement
This collection is organized into 37 record boxes, 7 flat file boxes, 1 DVD box, and 2 oversized boxes. The collection is separated into six categories: media, DVDs of the show, production and administrative files, photography, newspaper clippings, and objects and oversized photographs.
Subseries: Media
Scope: This subseries includes DVDs, BETACAMs, HDCAMs, flash drives, and etc. representing clips of fireworks, relevant interviews, television segments, commercials, and aerial footage.
Boxes: 1-28 and media cases 1-10
Subseries: DVDs of the Show
Scope: This subseries includes DVDs that depict actual Fourth of July events and concerts as put on by David Mugar ranging from 1976 to 2016.
Boxes: 29-30
Subseries: Production and Administrative Files
Scope: This subseries includes a variety of paper files relating to production and administrative files like correspondence, permits, programs, foundation files, and operations manuals.
Boxes: 31-32
Subseries: Photography
Scope: This subseries includes photography documents such as photographs printed on printer paper and photo paper in addition to photograph negatives and contact sheets.
Boxes: 33-35
Subseries: News Clippings
Scope: This subseries includes actual newspapers as well as printed online articles and scans of articles relating to the events of Boston’s Fourth of July or to David Mugar.
Boxes: 36-43
Subseries: Objects and Oversized Photographs
Scope: This subseries includes paperweights, pins, oversized photographs, and an official Commonwealth of Massachusetts proclamation.
Boxes: 44-45
Custodial History
Starting in 1929, Arthur Fiedler began offering free concerts on the Esplanade to celebrate the Fourth of July. In 1974, the first Boston’s Fourth of July celebration was put on by David Mugar and the Boston 4 Celebrations Foundation. This non-profit, founded by Mugar, worked to produce events for the Boston and New England community. Their annual flagship event was the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on July 4th. For their efforts, the organization was awarded the Massachusetts State Police Public Service award in May 2014.
Separated Materials
VHS Tape - Channel 5 - BSO Trustees Meeting VHS Tape - “Salute to Symphony ‘94” March 18, 1994 RT: 90:00 VHS Tape - WCVB 5 Boston Symphony Orchestra Salute to Symphony March 26, 1993 7:30-9:30
Processing Information
Processed by Aislinn Doherty, April 2024. Finding aid written by Aislinn Doherty, April 2024.
Creator
- Mugar, David G. (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Archives Repository