WEST BOYLSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

For over 30 years, the West Boylston Historical Society has served the town by researching and preserving our unique history.  We are based at our headquarters at 65 Worcester Street, the historic Bigelow Tavern.

Activities

• We are renovating the building at 65 Worcester Street for use as a museum and research center. Built in the 1770s, it was originally the Bigelow Tavern and now serves as our headquarters.
• The Historical Society has disassembled and relocated the 18th-century Jacob Winn barn from Lancaster Street, where it was scheduled for demolition, to our property on Worcester Street.
• Frank Brown and Beverly Goodale, members of the Society's Board of Directors, have authored a book of photographs for the Images of America series. Click here to see more...
• The Old Stone Church: Through the efforts of the Historical Society, the Historical Commission and the Beaman Oak Garden Club, the state was persuaded to rebuild the church after the side walls and roof collapsed in the 1970s. 
• We are working on getting the Holbrook Chapel and the Mount Vernon Cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places

The Wachusett Reservoir

During the first few years of the 20th Century, the Town of West Boylston was transformed by the construction of the Wachusett Reservoir.  The entire center of town, along with most of the town's industry and many homes and churches, was destroyed to provide water for the growing city of Boston.  Learn about this defining event in our town's history...

1908: one hundred years ago

In 1908, the town was just recovering from the trauma of the construction of the reservoir and the loss of the town's mills and many farms, jobs and homes.  But 1908 was the Centennial!  Perhaps to tell the world that they had survived, the town celebrated in grand fashion.

Town buildings, the churches, meeting halls, businesses and homes were festooned in bunting and flags.  Restraint did not seem to be the fashion.  There were two main celebrations.  January 30th brought music and speeches to Town Hall in the afternoon and a Grand Centennial Ball in the evening.  On July 16th, the town awoke at 6:00 A.M. to the firing of 100 guns and the pealing of all of the church bells.  The day proceeded with a ballgame, a parade of decorated coaches, a band concert, and games - tugs of war, an egg race, various dashes and a greased pig chase!  After another concert in the evening, the celebration ended with a grand illumination. 

2008: the bicentennial

Join us in celebrating 200 years of West Boylston history.  Check the web site of the Bicentennial Committee for information on upcoming events and commemorative hats, shirts, cups and more...

DID YOU KNOW?

The Old Farmer's Almanac got its start in West Boylston. 

Robert Bailey Thomas, one of the town's most famous residents, complied his almanac from his home in West Boylston for many years.  The Old Farmer's Almanac is the oldest continuously published periodical in North America, starting in 1792 and continuing to this day.

Robert Bailey Thomas was also the first town clerk for West Boylston in 1808.

upcoming events

2008 Is Our Bicentennial Year!

Join us in celebrating 200 years of West Boylston history.  Check the web site of the Bicentennial Committee for information on upcoming events and commemorative hats, shirts, cups and more.

Join Us!

Want to learn more about West Boylston? Wish to help preserve our fascinating history? Join the West Boylston Historical Society and/or donate to our preservation efforts? Click here for more info...