Posts by Beaman Library
Tree Lighting (1914)
Many people attend the annual lighting of a Christmas tree on the common. Over 100 years ago, West Boylston residents were doing the same thing. On December 23rd, 1914, the town erected a grand Christmas tree on the common. The celebration involved cheery festivities, music and singing, and, of course, the decoration of the tree…
Read MoreGovernment
Federalists (1810) Manufacturing Meeting (1815) Water Board Report (1897) Board of Health (1918-1919)
Read MoreCommunity Get Togethers
Centennial Celebration of 1808 Baseball (1858) Literary Entertainment (1886) Alumni Association (1889) Memorial Day (1895) Hypnotized (1897) …
Read MoreEveryday Life and Fun Facts
Grapevines (before 1620) Farmers’ Almanac (1792) Before The Reservoir (1800’s) Statues (1800’s) Railroads (1890’s) Oakdale Hauntings (1899) …
Read MorePopulation (1800’s)
Population can be hard to comprehend. It can be hard to wrap your mind around the thought of 7 billion people living on Earth living their own complicated, beautiful lives. Thankfully, West Boylston is and always has been a small town, so we don’t have to strain too hard. Below is a clipping from a…
Read MoreMary’s Little Lamb (Date Unknown)
Sometimes the best stories sound made up. Like the story we’re about to tell you—a story which involves one of the most well-known nursery rhymes, billionaire automobile tycoon Henry Ford, and the world’s most expensive bell. If you’ve ever driven through Sterling center, you may have seen the statue of a small lamb on the…
Read MoreNews for Independence Day (1905)
“West Boylston, July 4th, 1905 – There was more noise in West Boylston today than for many years. No accidents were reported.” It is very nice to see an accident-free news article for such an important holiday!
Read MoreFederalists (1810)
If you’ve seen the musical Hamilton (or have listened to the soundtrack on unending repeat and have only dreamed of seeing it live), you probably know a little about the early conflict between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. Put simply, the Federalists supported a strong central government and nationalized banks, services, etc., while their opponents…
Read MoreManufacturing Meeting (1815)
Looking through historical texts and newspapers in our Local History Room can often be challenging. A lot of the time, you’re looking for something exciting to jump out at you—a famous person visiting town or, even, a catastrophe which forever changed the face of West Boylston. But part of studying history is learning to love…
Read MoreWater Board Report (1897)
The construction of the reservoir in the 1890s and early 1900s took a toll on West Boylston and, to a lesser extent, our neighboring communities. Mills and homes were torn down or else bought and moved to other parts of the state. Some of these displaced houses sold for anywhere from $5 to a whopping…
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