Boston Marathon Bombing response mail

Collection

Identifier: 0247.003

Staff Only

Scope and Contents note

This collection consists of international and domestic mail sent to the Mayor’s Office after the April 15, 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing. It includes letters, cards, posters, banners, gifts, and some printed emails. Correspondents include government dignitaries and officials as well as members of the general public. A large portion of the collection is comprised of mail sent by groups of children.

Dates

Creation: 2013

Creator

Menino, Thomas M., 1942-2014 (Recipient, Person)
Boston (Mass.). Office of the Mayor (Recipient, Organization)

Historical Note

On April 15, 2013, two bombs exploded near the Boylston Street finish line of the Boston Athletic Association’s Boston Marathon, killing three individuals and injuring 264 others. On April 18, the Federal Bureau of Investigation identified two alleged bombers, triggering a manhunt that shut down the cities of Boston, Cambridge, and Watertown on April 19. During this manhunt, the suspects allegedly shot and killed an MIT police officer. In the months following the bombings and the manhunt, individuals and groups sent letters, gifts, and other items to Boston City Hall. All mail addressed to City Hall or Mayor Thomas Menino was delivered to the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services, which filed the mail, and sent a response to each correspondent.