The Legacy of Birding in Westborough

The Legacy of Birding in Westborough

4/26/21 – In the times of COVID, bird-watching in the serenity of nature has become a popular pastime. An early nature-lover, Edward Howe Forbush (1858-1929) lived in Westborough, became the state ornithologist, and a founder of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The Library’s case of stuffed birds is a product of his expertise at age 18. […]

Eli Whitney, Father of American Mass Production

Eli Whitney, Father of American Mass Production

“Eli Whitney, Father of American Mass Production” Westborough’s most famous inventor, Eli Whitney (1765-1825), perfected the cotton gin to remove seeds from short-stem cotton and inadvertently increased the demand for slave labor on Southern plantations. He went on to apply mass production to the manufacture of guns at the Whitney Arms Company in Hartford, CT. […]

William Sibley – Citizen, Soldier, Sleighmaker

William Sibley – Citizen, Soldier, Sleighmaker

William Sibley (1821-1890): Citizen, Soldier, Sleighmaker: On March 29, 2021 the Westborough Historical Society held a virtual presentation view a recording of that presentation by clicking here or simply watch below. Jim O’Connor will chronicle William Sibley’s life at a time of national crisis and dissension. A respected citizen, Sibley joined Westborough’s Company K when […]

Westborough Maps 1717 – 21st Century: “Charting Westborough’s History”

Westborough Maps 1717 – 21st Century: “Charting Westborough’s History”

Maps record the geographical information of a community, yet some maps tell stories. Maps are created by individuals who decide the subject of a map at a certain point in time from their point of view, deciding what is included, and what is left out. Join the Westborough Historical Society as they offer one of […]

Lecture: Impact of 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Lecture: Impact of 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Professor John McClymer of Assumption College was the featured speaker for the annual Westborough Civic Club lecture held in conjunction with the Westborough Historical Society. “Why We Remember the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire” (1911) was held on Feb. 3, 2020.Watch the presentation here. In a sweatshop in Greenwich Village, New York, 146 garment workers, mostly […]

3 Key Turning Points That Changed American History

3 Key Turning Points That Changed American History

The Historical Society welcomed Prof. Edward O’Donnell of Holy Cross College on January 13, 2020 for a fascinating history presentation.  Watch/listen to the full lecture here.  Landmark movements have irrevocably altered the direction of the nation and signaled the start of a new historical reality. Some were groundbreaking political concepts; some were dramatic military victories […]

Rare, Vintage Photographs of Westborough Presented by Phil Kittredge

Rare, Vintage Photographs of Westborough Presented by Phil Kittredge

A Stroll into Yesteryear: On Monday, November 26, 2018, the Westborough Historical Society hosted a viewing of vintage photographs of Westborough in the 19th century. Developed from rare glass negatives, these scenes of old shops, schools, churches, and businesses bring alive the good old days with commentary by historian and former fire captain Phil Kittredge. […]