Introduction

This is a patron only instalment of historians plaining. And this will be number 12 in our series on the history of the united states in 100 objects. And this one is on a wooden bowling ball from boston, massachusetts, from the late 16 hundred. So what's the big deal about this lawn bowl? Why is it so historically significant? Well, to begin with, it's significant because of the site where it was found and who probably owned it. The bowling ball is made of lathe turned oak wood, probably was crafted between about 16 70 and 16 90. And hence, it can confidently be called the oldest bowling ball in America.