West Brookfield Historical Commission

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About Us

What 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.

What is our responsibility?

Our primary responsibility is the inventory of historic assets which provides the basis for all preservation planning in the community. The commission cooperates with other municipal agencies such as the planning board and conservation commission to insure that the goals of historic preservation are considered in planning for future development of the community.

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:

National Historic Register Listing of the 1767 Franklin Milestone Markers (1971)

Salem Cross Inn (1975)

West Brookfield Center Historic District (1990) Expanded in 2006 to include the Railroad District

Wickaboag Valley Historic District passed by the State Historical Commission (2000)

Reinstated the "Boston Post Cane" tradition honoring the oldest resident of W. 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

Reproduced and framed, 13 old photos of historical interest that now hand in the Town Hall

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.

National Historic Register Listing of the Railroad District, included with the Center District, July 2006.

National Historic Register Listing of the Old Indian Cemetery on Cottage Street - July 2006

Purchased and installed Franklin Mile Marker Signs

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 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

Publish a "History of West Brookfield".

National Historical Registry listing of Jedediah Foster Homestead.

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

Postal address

West Brookfield Historical Commission,

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

Electronic mail

General Information: e-mail   Nancy (Civil War) plus

                                           e-mail Barbara (Lucy Stone) plus

Members

Richard Rossman - Chairman

Ed Dow - Treasurer

          David Fitzgerald - Secretary

Amy Dugas

          William Leslie

          Nancy Parker

Barbara Rossman

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 and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.