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About Us
Founded in 1897, the
Harvard Historical Society has had its history recorded in the
HISTORY OF HARVARD, 1894-1941 commissioned by the Society and
compiled by Ida Harris, and in DIRECTIONS OF A TOWN, compiled by
Robert Anderson in 1976. Under the leadership of a small
nucleus of loyal and dedicated individuals, it has endeavored to
bring together people interested in the history of their
community. Its goal of "Preserving Harvard's Past for
Harvard's Future" has led it to collect materials which
illustrate the history of the town, such as those pertaining to
exploration, settlements, economics, social, religious and political
development. This collection includes histories, genealogies,
biographies, descriptive literature, dictionaries, newspapers,
pamphlets, catalogues, circulars, handbills, local posters and
programs. Unpublished materials including letters, diaries,
journals, reminiscences, military rosters, service records, business
records, account books, charts, and surveys are also a part of the
archival collection. Artifacts such as furniture, household goods,
costumes, farm implements tools, simple machines, china and silver
comprise some of the museum collection as well as photographs,
portraits, paintings, prints, maps, mineral specimens and firearms.
The Harvard Historical
Society arouses interest in the past by operating a small museum and
providing school services. It also publishes historical
materials, holds public meetings, presents programs and marks
historic sties within the town.
In the period from 1897
- 1962 the Society carried on its work for the community in the
rooms in the library allotted to it at the time of the Annual Town
Meeting in 1898. Its collection was growing and discussions
began regarding finding a new home. Several houses in town
were investigated and nothing suitable was found. There did
not seem to be any property available on which the Society could
afford to build. Moreover, in 1962 the library found itself in
need of more space and asked the society to vacate the
premises. The Society began to move its artifacts and
carefully store them privately. At this time also, the Baptist
Society realized that it could no longer afford to maintain its
building in Still River as its membership had declined. The
Harvard Historical Society approached the Baptist Society to discuss
the possibility of acquiring their building. After successful
negotiations, the property was acquired in 1967 and the Society
began renovations and the move of its collections into its new
home. This new space, while an improvement, still did not
prove adequate. There were no sanitary facilities and not enough
land to meet the septic requirements for expansion.
In 1981, the Society's
longtime president and benefactor, Winnifred L. Sturdy passed away
and bequeathed to the Society her entire estate. This act of
enormous generosity enabled the Society to once again think of
expansion. During this time the Society discovered that the
warrant of 1898 was still active. In 1984 the Society was
successful in placing an article for a warrant to be voted at the
Town Meeting to rescind Article 21 of 1898 which gave the use of the
library rooms to the Society. It was voted in the affirmative.
After more than a decade
of effort, the Society was able to purchase the land it now owns
surrounding the Still River Meetinghouse which includes a rental
cottage and a small building housing the curator's workroom and
archival storage. This additional space allows for research by
various town organizations as well as by individuals doing
genealogical studies. The Society's extensive collection of
photographs, deeds and historical research have proved invaluable to
organizations searching the origins and ownership of the many
properties included in historical inventories and the town's
Historic Districts. The largest portion of this research
material was prepared by Elvira Scorgie in the decades she devoted
to the Society in the study and research of town history. Upon
her death she bequeathed the greater portion of her estate to the
Society. In 1997, the year of its centennial, the Society
published THE HARVARD ALBUM, and dedicated it to Miss Scorgie.
The Harvard Historical Society is ever aware of the enormous
contributions made to it by the generous people of this town and we
endeavor to be worthy of their trust.
The Society continues to
provide programs to the Harvard schools as well as to the general
public. It also interfaces with local and national historical
organizations in order to avail itself of resources necessary to
better service the town of Harvard, Massachusetts. Our
facility also serves to host some of these organizations in our
mutual pursuit of historical knowledge.
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