End of Construction (1904)
Below are two pictures taken near the end of the reservoir’s construction.Both of these pictures show a town in transition. In 1904 and 1905, this area transformed from a bustling downtown to the reservoir we know today. These images came from the Digital Commonwealth, an online resource with thousands of photographs from the State’s history.…
Read MoreReservoir Construction (Early 1900’s)
When it comes to the construction of the Wachusett Reservoir, we often see the “Before” and “After.” Below are two photographs from the “During.” The first is the shell of a family home. Some homes were taken apart piece and piece and reconstructed elsewhere. Sometimes these houses remained in town, but occasionally they were bought…
Read MoreGeorge Calvin Rice (1800’s-1900’s)
In short, there would be no Beaman Memorial Library without George Calvin Rice. He was a Worcester resident but had direct links to West Boylston’s history–he was the great-grandson of Major Ezra Beaman! Known as the “Town Father,” Ezra Beaman was the most outspoken supporters of West Boylston’s secession from Boylston and became an instrumental…
Read MoreEzra Beaman Jr. (1770-1863)
Another portrait from the Reading Room: Ezra Beaman, Jr., the son of “Town Father” Ezra Beaman. Ezra Beaman, Jr. was born in December 1770, the youngest son of Ezra Beaman and Persis Keyes Beaman. He lived to be 92 years old, managing the Beaman Tavern until he died in 1863. Ezra Jr. was an eccentric…
Read MoreThe First Congregational Church (Unknown)
West Boylston has become known for the Old Stone Church: a steely remnant of the flooded town, an entry on the National Register of Historic Places, a frequent attraction for visitors from around Worcester County, and, most recently, a PokéStop. But, of course, the Old Stone Church is not the only church in West Boylston’s…
Read MoreChurch Postcards (1893-1903)
Postcards! We love postcards here at the Beaman Library. Mail your friends and family a scenic location or monument and share the beauty with them (or make them jealous). Take a look at this old postcard. The photo, taken sometime between 1893 and 1903, depicts the Old Stone Church, then a newly built baptist church,…
Read MoreTown Celebrations
War Time
Risk of War Diaries Civil War Currency World War I Postcards Service Flag Fundraiser Honor Roll Wartime Agriculture …
Read MoreThe Mills and the Reservoir
Beaman Mill Cowee Mill Mill Workers (1800’s) The Flood of 1900 Lake Washacum Tree Removal Laborers Immigrant Workers Italian Immigrant Labor Mill Ruins Reservoir Construction End of Construction Reservoir Finally Finished Reservoir Postcard
Read MoreSteeple View (unknown)
We’ve seen the Old Stone Church from so many different angles that there definitely isn’t one we haven’t seen—right? Well, here’s a new one for you. The below photo was taken from the steeple of the Brick Congregational Church looking west. The Brick Congregational Church was located on East Main Street (now called Beaman Street)…
Read More