Upcoming Event:  New Members Meeting and Presentation

Presentations entitled: Volunteer Women Firefighters, Mars, and Milk Bottles  

Saturday February 28, 2009
Location - Tewksbury Public Library
Time - 1:00PM

Volunteer Women Firefighters, Mars, and Milk Bottles      

 The Tewksbury Historical Society will be having a "New Members Meeting" on Feb. 28, 2009 at the Tewksbury Library.  The meeting will start at 1:00pm and is not just for new members. It is open to all members of the Tewksbury Community to come and hear about the Tewksbury Historical Society.  It is also a part of the Membership Drive to have new people join the Society and for old members to renew their membership.  Last year we had 119 members and 92 memberships.

Speaking of the Society's mission, research into Tewksbury's history is encouraged and supported by members.  The Annual New Members Meetings will highlight several stories as researched by three new members.  Dave Marcus will read about a Pennsylvania World War II veteran whose gravestone ended up on a Tewksbury front lawn one morning. Don Sheehan has researched this veteran's war record and we know the gravestone is from Pennsylvania.  We will return it when we finish this story by finding out where it belongs. 

The Women's Auxiliary Firefighters/Civil Defense story will to be told by Mr. Thomas King.  He has been searching records on this story and has come up with some exciting information on the subject.  The women who made up this volunteer organization were extraordinary for their time.

Lastly, a story will be told of Mr. D. Henry Scarlett and his astronomy telescope.  Mr. Scarlett observed and wrote of the planet Mars when he lived in Tewksbury.  He used a 5" telescope study outer space.  Mr. Scarlett moved to Acton and later to California with his telescope.  He also had a deep interest in local history.  This story has been researched and will be told by Mr. Michael Laliberte.

A Social Hour will follow the presentations and a special "Tewksbury Milk Bottle Exhibit" will be held.  The members or public are invited to bring as many Tewksbury, glass milk bottles as they want to show for this exhibit and social hour.  The writer of this article will be bringing his one bottle for show!  Why don't you!!! 

Past Events


Thursday, November 9, 2006 - 7PM - Tewksbury Public Library Auditorium

 The Tewksbury Historical Society sponsored a presentation entitled "Shawsheen River" by Tewksbury resident Mr. Bob Rauseo.  Mr. Rauseo is President of the Shawsheen River Watershed Association, a group well known for its great works along the river.    Mr. Rauseo talked about his experiences spending time on the Shawsheen River while displaying images from his extensive collection of photographs. 

Prior to the program the Tewksbury Historical Commission, James Gaffney III, Chairman, will presented a posthumous award to the family of Georgia Watson Ruckledge for her lifelong work in the areas of historic preservation and writing.  


Thursday, June 29, 2006 -  7PM - Tewksbury Public Library Auditorium

The Tewksbury Historical Society will present a selection of images from a recently donated Nurses photo album that spans the years 1890-1920.   This incredible collection contains countless images of workers at the hospital, the majority of whom are identified by name.   This photographic presentation will be presented by Michael Kelley and Warren Carey, as always audience participation is encouraged.   


Thursday, October 27, 2005 - 7PM - Tewksbury Public Library Auditorium

The Tewksbury Historical Society presented "Tewksbury Homes, Buildings and Historical Sites: Then and Now".  This presentation of old images from our archives and other private collections featuree comparison pictures captured this fall at the exact same locations!   The presentation was prepared by Michael Kelley, Alice Golen and Warren Carey of the Tewksbury Historical Society.


Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 7PM - Tewksbury Senior Center 

The Tewksbury Historical Society is presented "Trains and Streetcars in Tewksbury, 1840s-1930s".  This photographic retrospective and discussion surrounded the Trains and Trolleys that crisscrossed our rural community between the mid 1840s and the late 1930s.  Historical Society member Michael Kelley presented over one hundred images from our archives to a large audience of society members and residents.  


June 25, 2005 - 1-4PM - Tewksbury State Hospital "Old Administration Building" 

TEWKSBURY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING
 

May 12, 2005 - 7:00pm - Tewksbury Public Library

Bunky Holden gave a talk about Tewksbury Center as he knew it while growing up in our small town.  This presentation filled the library auditorium to maximum capacity and it was standing room only while Bunky provided many humorous stories about growing up and living in rural Tewksbury. 


April 28, 2005 - 7:00pm - Tewksbury Senior Center

CARNATIONS AND COMMUNITY PRESERVATION

The Tewksbury Historical Society hosted a meeting for the general public on Thursday, April 28, 2005 at the Senior Center.  The first part of the presentation was an informational session on the “Community Preservation Act” initiative, sponsored by the Tewksbury Planning Board.  The second part was a lively presentation by Warren Carey on the Carnation Industry in Tewksbury.  Mr. Carey spoke of the various greenhouse businesses that spawned the moniker for the town, “The Carnation Capitol of the World”.  The frequent public discussion helped identify many previously unknown people and locations in pictures that were part of the presentation, many thanks to all who were able to help us in our search! 


June 24, 2004 - 6:30pm - Tewksbury Senior Center
The Tewksbury Historical Society conducted its Annual Meeting and Election of Officers. 


June 24, 2004 - 07:00pm - Tewksbury Senior Center
Town Historian and Tewksbury Historical Society Board Member Warren Carey hosted a presentation about the Tewksbury State Hospital and its rich history.   The program was developed in part by Emmett and Mary Kennedy Millett, Leonard Haines, Duncan Hazel, and Michael Kelley.   The presentation included speakers who worked at the hospital as well as a slide show and ongoing discussion of approximately sixty of the best and most historic hospital images dating from the late 1890s until the mid 1960s.   This ninety minute presentation is now available for download in Windows Media format.


April 29, 2004 - 7:00pm - Tewksbury Town Library Auditorium
Mr. Keith Rauseo presented a biography of "General Adelbert Ames" to a large audience of society members, the general public, and a few civil war buffs thrown in for good measure!

You can view the 60 minute presentation in Windows Media format.





March 27, 2004 - 1:00pm - Tewksbury Public Library Auditorium
Local Author Georgia Ruckledge presented her new book on the West School to an enthusiastic audience.


February 26, 2004 - 7:00pm - Tewksbury Senior Citizens Center
Local Author Jerry O'Reilly returned to present a new book he wrote about both Tewksbury and Silver Lake. 


February 5, 2004 - 7:00pm
The talk titled "People of Wamesit in the 17th Century; Indians and Settlers", featuring Society Archivist, Mr. Eugene Winter was well attended by both Society Members and residents of Tewksbury.
 

June 9, 2003 - 7:00pm

It was standing room only in the Tewksbury Public Library auditorium for our presentation on "Schools in South Tewksbury".