Mind Your Business: a logo guessing game informed by history

The Malden Public Library and Malden Chamber of Commerce are hosting “Mind Your Business: a logo guessing game” on August 11 from 6-8 p.m. in the library’s historic Converse Memorial Building. Participants will guess edited logos of local businesses for a chance to win prizes! It will be a fun night, so be sure to register using the QR code or at bit.ly/lh-myb

This is a recreation of a game that Mary Caroline (Parker) Converse devised in 1896. On December 31 of the same year, Malden Evening News describes the event: “Mrs. Converse had prepared a large number of popular advertisements, such as are seen in newspapers and in street cars, and had omitted the advertiser’s name. The game was to guess the advertiser.” She hosted this game for her Malden High School peers with whom she graduated four years earlier.

Converse had varied interests. In addition to creating the clever game mentioned above, she was a sea captain and composer. Her nautical passion began in her early adult years when she and her husband, Harry Converse (son of Elisha Converse), would sail on their personal ship, Penelope. She would pursue this further to become the first woman awarded a government-issued ship navigating license and the first woman commissioned by the United States Merchant Marine.

Mary Parker Converse was also one of Malden’s notable musicians. She was a vocalist, pianist and composer, and, in January of 1910, she demonstrated all three of these talents in one performance. Converse sang (while accompanying herself on piano) her “Wonder Songs” for an audience in Boston. “Wonder Songs” is a collection of tunes for children. The score is unique in that it is illustrated, much like a children’s book. She was involved with several other local concerts and served on the “Committee on Musical Exercises” for Malden’s 250^th anniversary celebration.

Please join us in celebrating Malden’s rich history and industry in this fun game at the Malden Public Library!