What can I do in Massachusetts if my landlord has been trying to fix it twice in the last 5 days but he isn't sure where/what the problem is or is coming from so he will be back in another 5 days (no explanation as to why he can't return until Friday and today is Monday)... to try the lighting in another room, in the mean time we only have 1/2 of the apartment working and its getting a little tiresome working with lanterns :-( He won't hire an electrician because he knows electrical work I'm told. The other 3 apts. In my building are all okay. I think it's my historical home - time for an upgrade in the building?

So you have electricity to approximately 1/2 the apartment. Do you have any 240 volt appliances that do not work (water heater, stove, etc.). How big is 1/2? Could it be just one circuit?

Tell your landlord that a licensed electrician is required to work on electrical services within an apartment and before he burns the place down he needs to get one onsite.

Contact the building department in your town. If your landlord is creating a dangerous or hazardous condition by not making necessary repairs, the building official can fine him until he does...
If that doesn't work, call the mayor...go to city hall..become a squeeky wheel..