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Our core mission: 1) to promote interest in the history of Worthington, Massachusetts; 2) to gather, catalog, and preserve documents, artifacts, and digital media of significance to Worthington’s history; and 3) to make our archives accessible to the public.

 

Announcements

Read recent posts in our WHS Journal online. Our latest article is The Benevolent Women of Worthington in the Kitchen, exploring the food customs of over a century ago as revealed in the Worthington Cook Book. We’ve also published nine interviews with town residents from 2018, recorded during the Worthington 250 celebrations, plus an article about Frankie’s Place in West Worthington, an article about town legend Guy Thrasher, and an exhibit of vintage postcards. Select from our long list of articles here.

 

Photography exhibit in the WHS building. Our major undertaking for 2023 is the exhibit The Photographs of Harriet Langdon Pruyn Rice (1868-1935): Seeing Worthington Through a Different Lens, featuring approximately 50 photographs taken by this remarkable amateur photographer from about 1892 through 1906. Harriet L. P. Rice was an Albany, New York, resident and daughter-in-law of Worthington native William A. Rice, Jr. Her photos of Town residents ā€“ taken free of charge in their homes, fields, pastures, and door-yards ā€“ are informal, candid and utterly natural, without lighting props, costumes or enhancements. Along with her extensive journal entries and photo labels, the images capture with singular clarity the texture of everyday life in Worthington as it evolved from a remote, agrarian community.

A detailed overview of the exhibit can be downloaded at this link. 

Documenting the pandemic.The COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide event, but Worthington has its own story to tell in our collected voices. The Worthington Historical Society would like to document this once-in-a-lifetime (hopefully) experience through our individual stories. Once we are free to sit face-to-face, Kate Ewald will post an invitation to schedule audio recorded interviews. Also please consider writing down your thoughts and experiences. Anything is welcome: a journal, a meaningful observation or conversation, a story of illness or joy, even the simplest everyday story about a project, activity or recipe that helped you through these challenging and sometimes inspiring days. Stories can be submitted in any format, hardcopy or digital.To submit materials, email (with attachments, if desired) to contact@worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org or mail to P. O. Box 12, Worthington, MA, 01098.

 

 

Donation of Russell H. Conwell materials. The family of John and Marion Sweeney has donated a massive, privately printed, three-volume biography of RHC along with one of his signature stamps and other materials. Other recent donations are listed on our membership and donations page.

 

 

 

Membership Drive. 2023 was a busy year as usual for our all-volunteer board. We helped with genealogical inquiries, mounted a photography exhibit, digitized historical documents, and made our digital archive more accessible. Please join our organization and support our core mission of preserving Worthington history at our membership and donations page.

 

 

WHS Facebook group!  Our Facebook discussion group is bustling, with 800 members and counting. Here is the link to join the group and share photos and memories.

 

 

 

Free tickets to Historic Deerfield. Courtesy of WHS, the Worthington Library loans out two sets of four free tickets to Historic Deerfield, the renowned colonial village museum dedicated to the history of the Connecticut River Valley. 

 

 

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DVD Interview with Rolande & Robert Schrade. In the interview, recorded in 2008 at the Academy in South Worthington, the Schrades discuss moving to Worthington, purchasing the Academy building, their musical dynasty, and their renowned summer concert series, Sevenars. The 68-minute DVD, produced by Edward & Helen Pelletier, also includes a tour of the Academy’s three floors. The DVD is available for $30 (proceeds divided equally between WHS, the Pelletiers, and the Schrade family) by downloading an order form at our Publications & DVDs page or by contacting us at contact@worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

 

8 thoughts on “Home

  1. Tom Hoffman

    I’m curious about the extreme southwest corner of Worthington, specifically an area called Bradshaw Rd, and perhaps OsbornRd. 1876 map shows a small unnamed cemetery, and a home site listed to EE Frissell and a G Cratty. Another name that seems to be in that area in 1854 is Luther Granger.
    I’ve looked on Family Search and Find a Grave, hoping there would be some info on their lives.
    If you have any info on these people, I would love to hear about it!
    Tom Hoffman

    Reply
  2. Bill Green

    Am interested in learning more about a mill in Worthington presumably owned and run by a Stevens family. It is said that they made parts of musical instruments. Iā€™m thinking that this must have been in th late 1800s.

    Thanks for sharing information that you have or might be available.

    Bill Green
    Cambridge, MA
    Ynotbgreen@comcast.net

    Reply
    1. Diane Brenner

      Hi Bill, the mill was located in an area called Stevensville, now it is Rte. 143. It was located close to the border with Chesterfield and the building still exists, though not as a mill. They made drums shells and other round wooden objects. If you click on our archives page and search for Stevens, you will see some relevant photos. Sorry for the later response — just saw your inquiry. Diane Brenner

      Reply
  3. Patricia Judice

    Hello,
    I have a hardcover copy of WORTHINGTON VITAL RECORDS – To the Year 1850. published 1911.
    Has 159 pages. VG condition. I am interested in selling it for $25.00. Please let me know if your
    historical society or anyone is interested in purchasing it. I live in Hadley.

    Reply
  4. Judy Dowd, secretary So. Worthington Church Assoc.

    The So. Worthington Church Association is currently applying for Historical Building status and we are organized also to plan fundraising events for this amazing architectural gem built in the early 19th century. The building needs costly updates, like electricity and plumbing. If anyone is interested in helping us with our efforts to preserve this historical beauty, let me know. Thanks!

    Reply

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