THE LEOMINSTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

Written by the Historian 

In the Fall of 1905, the attention of three persons was called to the possibility of forming a Historical Society. One party said "there ought to he a society of this kind and it should be formed," with the result that the first meeting for the purpose was held at the home of the Misses Gates, 43 Lancaster Street, on the evening of January 19, 1906, where 17 persons interested in the movement were present; the purpose of the meeting was stated by Perley M. Russell, and a temporary organization was effected with Mr. Ernest W. Small, Chairman; and Miss Helen W. Greenwood, Secretary protem. The permanent organization of the society was deferred until a later meeting when the committee chosen on Constitution and By-laws could report.

On January 31, 1906, the adjourned meeting for the purpose of forming the Leominster Historical Society, was held at the home of Perley M. Russell, 86 Pleasant Street, Mr. Small presiding. The society was organized, and it was voted, to hold a meeting each month with the exception of July and August. The object of the society is the collection, preservation, and study of historical matters pertaining to the town and its inhabitants. February 8, a meeting was held in the High School building on Church Street. We recall the first officers appointed at this meeting by a nominating Committee consisting of H. Wilson Gibbs, Misses Abbie E. Gates, Grace W. Chandler. Viz: President, Ernest W. Small ;Vice-president, Perley M. Russell; Miss Fannie P. Gates; Secretary, Charles S. Houghton; Treasurer, Fred B. Hills; Executive Committee, Mrs. Laurena E. Rogers, Miss Mary A. Tolman, and H. Wilson Gibbs. The secretary was appointed to obtain signatures of those present, which resulted in 18 persons as charter members, and it was voted to procure a charter at once. As one of the objects of the society is to acquire as much knowledge of local history as possible, the executive committee in April, met at the home of Mrs. Rogers, 107 Mechanic Street, for the purpose of assigning topics and speakers for each month of the year. 

There was a delay in obtaining the charter, and on November 8, 1906, all those desirous of having the Leominster Historical Society incorporated to conform with the laws of the State of Massachusetts, met at the home of Charles S. Houghton, 61 Orchard Street, officers elected: President, Perley M. Russell; Vice-presidents, H. Wilson Gibbs, Miss Fannie P. Gates; Secretary, Charles S. Houghton; Treasurer, Fred B. Hills; Executive Committee, Dr. Griffith E. Abbot, Mrs. Laurena E. Rogers, Miss Mary A. Tolman, Charles A. Joslin was present to administer the oath of office, also witness the signature of the Charter members. The names appearing on the Charter contains the following names; Perley M. Russell, H. Wilson Gibbs, Griffith E. Abbot, Fred B. Hills, Charles S. Houghton, George L. Chaney, Mary A. Tolman, Estelle W. Burpee, Charles S. Chase, Edmond G. Davis, Helen W. Greenwood, Annie C. Hale, Emma C. Moore, Laurena E. Rogers, George H. Snow, Abbie E. Gates, Fannie P. Gates. 

In these days of activities it is impossible to find an evening that will accommodate all of the members. During the first year the meetings were held on the evening of the second Thursday of each month, then voted to meet on the third Wednesday, and now the meetings are held on the second Friday. At first we met in the various rooms in the High School building on Church Street. From June, 1907, to January, 1908, the society met at the homes of the members; then the meetings were held for six months in Red Men's Hall, but the members feeling there was more sociability in houses, the meetings were again held at the homes for three years, which proved a success both in sociability and increased attendance, finally as the membership increased we were allowed the use of a room in the Library building, where we have held our meetings since September, 1911, to the present time, always accepting the hospitality of any member who is kind enough to invite us to meet at their house. 

Ernest W. Small principal of the local high school was very interested in the local history, and was quite desirous of interesting his pupils, but none of them ever joined the society or attended any of the meetings. Mr. Russell should have been the first president, but by courtesy Mr. Small was elected and held the office until June, when he resigned on account of removal from Leominster. Mr. Russell filled the vacancy until the annual meeting November 1906, when he accepted the presidency, which office he filled with efficiency. From November, 1906 to November, 1924—18 Years there were only four presidents; Ernest W. Small, Perley M. Russell H Wilson Gibbs, and Charles K. Davis. Mr. Davis by his business methods did much to put the society upon a firm foundation again. Wyman C. Hill was president from November, 1924 to 1925 when Ernest W. Foley, was elected, which office he filled with efficiency until November, 1932, when the present president was elected During the time we have had six secretaries: Charles S. Houghton, James A. Richardson, William H. Durant, Ernest N. Fearigo Henry W. Brown, and our present secretary Ernest W. Foley. There been four treasurers: Fred B. Hills, William C. Burdett, Miss Abbie E. Gates, and our present treasurer. Miss Florence E. Wheeler was Curator from April, 1906, to November, 1911 when Miss Mary A. Tolman was elected ,serving until the time of her death, when Wyman C. Hill was appointed Ernest W. Foley is Curator at the present time. The office of Historian was not effected until 1908, when Mrs. M. Etta Burdett was appointed, which office she held until 1911, when the present Historian was appointed. 

Each year there have been written and read by the members, several interesting papers containing much valuable local history, a copy of which is supposed to be placed on file, although we have quite a number, which space will not allow us to print, there are yet a great many which to our regret it is uterly impossible to obtain as they have never been intrusted to the care of the Society. We have had several speakers from Leominster and elsewhere who have given very interesting and instructive talks. As the first summer approached it was decided to hold an outing or field day. Our first venture was to be held the first Saturday in July, at the site of the homestead of the first settler, Gershom Houghton, but owing to disappointment in regard to transportation --that was in the days of horses and barges, autos being almost unknown-the outing could not be held, all roads and vehicles leading to a ball game. In the meanwhile we received a cordial invitation from Rev and Mrs. George L Chaney, to hold the September meeting in the form of an outing at their ancestral home on Carter Hill, at which time the Society was delightfully entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Chaney, assisted by their son and daughter Mr. and Mrs. G. Carter Chaney. Mrs. Chaney read a very interesting paper upon Leominster, are 'England, also exhibiting cups and saucers from Leominster England, and the guests roved around the grounds made interesting by the site of the Carter Garrison house. By invitation we have had pleasant outings at the homes of Mrs. Jennie Hobbs, Mrs. Anna R. Kittredge, Rev. Thomas L. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. James A. Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis E. Wheeler, Mr. and Mrs. G. Carter Chancy, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Lawrence, at Shirley, Mr. and Mrs. William England, at Worcester, and several other places. The outing committee have also arranged outings at Redemption Rock, Princeton, Lancaster, the mother town, Fruitlands, etc. 

The society has endeavored as far as possible to be of usefulness to the community. At one time we assumed the care of Redemption Rock, but at last have succeeded in transferring it to the County Commissioners: at the wish of the cemetery committee, we have caused to be planted three hundred pines to replace the removal of the original pines in Pine Grove cemetery; these were set out in the spring of the year, and were so small many were trampled upon the first Memorial Day, and it is doubtful if many of them are alive; but our money and intentions were good. A boulder has been placed at the site of the homestead of Gershom Houghton, also a stone in Pine Grove cemetery to mark the grave of his wife. A stone in Evergreen cemetery to the memory of Edmond G. Davis, in appreciation of the valuable services Mr. Davis rendered the town in accumulating much material pertaining to its local history, also erected a bronze tablet on the Common marking the second meeting house, and through the efforts of the society, a boulder was placed at the junction of Main and Day Streets to designate the location of the first burial ground. We would liked to have continued in our good work for the town, but about that time we decided that "Charity began at home," and as we were sadly in need of a building,—and are yet,—in which to place our collection of articles, we turned our attention in that direction. From the first we have been very handicapped in having no place to meet, or a place for our collection of articles. We have been obliged to see pictures, articles of furniture, etc., go to other societies and places simply because we have no place to store them. To a great extent this society was instrumental in the town observing the; 175th Anniversary of the incorporation of the town. In the year: 1914, when the Merchants Association planned having a trade Carnival, a committee from the society conferred with them in regard to postponing the Carnival until 1915, when it could join in the 175th Anniversary. The Association accepted the proposition, with the result of a very enthusiastic celebration on July 4 and 5, 1915. Also in 1930, the society took an active interest in the Tercentenary celebration. We miss many who have been with us in former years; some have withdrawn, others have removed from Leominster, and we have lost by death, 98 members, 32 honorary, and 11 life members. 

We have seen many changes since the organization of our society; we have lost our beautiful town hall, and the Municipal building has been erected; we have a fine Library, a High School, and several buildings razed for the erection of the Junior High School. We have the Rialto and two other theaters; also a well equipped Hospital Doyle Athletic Field, a beautiful French Catholic church, and many changes in the St. Leo society. We have lost our bandstand and fountain and know the old common no more. Busses have taken the place of steam or electric transportation, autos the place of horses; for better or worse women have their names on the voting list; we have seen our boys march away, some never to return again. The good old town has become a city. As a town it held an honored position among the towns of Massachusetts and it is hoped it will always take a prominent place among the cities of the commonwealth.