Who are we?

We are a seven member board, appointed by the Board of Selectmen.

What is the purpose of a Local Historical Commission?

The local historical commission is the agency responsible for identifying and recording the historic assets of its community and for developing and implementing a program for their recognition and preservation.

How do we differ from a Historical Society?

A Historical Society is a private organization formed to collect and preserve artifacts of local historical interest, which may serve to illuminate and illustrate the history of a town; preserve historical sites and landmarks and promote the study of history.

What have we accomplished?

National Historic Register Listings:

• The 1767 Franklin Milestone Markers (1971)
• Salem Cross Inn (1975)
• West Brookfield Center Historic District (1990)  Expanded in 2006 and includes the Railroad District
• Wickaboag Valley Historic District passed by the State Historical Commission (2000)
• The Old Indian Cemetery on Cottage Street - July 2006

Projects

• Reinstated the "Boston Post Cane" tradition honoring the oldest resident of West Brookfield (1999)
• Recipient of the Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award for demonstrating outstanding commitment to preservation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1994)
• Purchased and installed West Brookfield Center Historic District signs using grant money from Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
• Created the West Brookfield Historical Commission Website
• Directed the total paint restoration in the Great Hall in the Town Hall, funded by a donation from the J. Irving England and the Jane L. England Charitable Trust
• Designed a bronze sign to be installed at the Old Indian Cemetery, funded by a Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Grant.
• Purchased and installed Franklin Mile Marker Signs
• Informational Brochures: Walking Tour of West Brookfield, Lucy Stone and Foster Hill
• Purchased and installed West Brookfield Center Historic District signs
• Published a "A History of West Brookfield 1675-1990" by Jeffery Fiske (2009)
• Nominated the Jedediah Foster Home Site to the National Historic Register (2010)

How can we help you?

We maintain research files and a small library that contain information of the history, townspeople, places, and photographs. These items are available for study.

How can you help?

In an effort to expand the holdings and resources of the Historical Commission's library, the West Brookfield Historical Commission would like to invite anyone with heritage in West Brookfield, to submit a copy of their family history to the library. These family histories do not have to be "professionally published" works. They can include small "folder" editions, essays, or family recollections that have been passed down through the family. Copies of any other "collections" that might be of historical or genealogical value such as newspaper clippings, news articles, old photo collections, journals, etc. are also welcome.

Meetings

The West Brookfield Historical Commission meets every first Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm in the Commission office in the Town Hall.  All meetings are open to the public.

Future Goals

• Nominate the Lucy Stone home site to the National Register
• Install historical markers along the "Old Indian Bay Path Trail"

Contact Information

Telephone: 508-867-1421

FAX 508-867-1401

Mailing P.O. Box 372, West Brookfield, MA 01585

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Members

Richard Rossman - Chairman

David Fitzgerald - Secretary
Amy Dugas
Anne-Marie Nolan
Barbara Rossman
Anne Philips
Craig Burgess
Ed Londergan
Louise Garwood

*Projects have been supported by the generosity of the Town of West Brookfield, grants from the J. Irving England and Jane L. England Charitable Trust.