Events 42 items

30 Bonfire at Simonds Park 1937 1 photograph : b&w.

During the 1930s, Burlington celebrated the Fourth of July with large bonfires on the top of the hill at Simonds Park. The forty-fifty foot fires were sponsored by the Burlington Men's Civic Club and were held the night before the Fourth of July.

The Burlington Men's Civil Club was organized in 1937 to promote civic betterment and the construction of the first Burlington high school (61 Center St.) The original constitution was signed by George Perkins, Maurice DeMone, Ernst Makechnie, Loren Blenkhorn, Carl Bussey, William Porter, and Chester MacDonald. The club sponsored the Fourth of July fireworks and bonfire, as well as the strawberry festival and Burlington Agricultural Fair.

Fogelberg reports that Loren Blenkhorn was in charge of collecting materials and Stewart Oldford was in charge of construction. Burlingtonians and the volunteer Burlington Fire Department all lent a hand. Fogelberg records Louis Skelton's recollection of the last bonfire, which was held in 1940 (Woburn Daily Times Chronicle article, July 10, 1979 JEF 003).

Stamp on back reads: Cedric G. Chase Photographic Laboratories Inc. Aug. 3, 1937. [Catalog record in progress].

31 Produce display at the town agricultural fair ca. 1900 1 photograph : b&w.

Rev. Charles H. Washburn (1860-1931) came to Burlington ca. 1888 as the pastor of the Congregational church; Washburn immediately identified the importance of farming for rural Burlington and brought about the idea of a town fair that would promote agricultural excellence. Local farmers were very supportive and the result was the Burlington Agricultural Society.

The first Burlington Cattle Show was held September 29, 1889, which netted the society over $300. The Woburn City News noted that it was "perfect weather, a great show, a good-tempered crowd, a success. The hardworking committee retired to rest with consciousness of duty done and satisfaction secured to every one of the 5000 people present. The old town never looked prettier, hill and valley, wood and plain, were dressed in autumn's pretty garb and the bracing, invigorating air gave tone and relived fatigue."

The fair consisted of town hall exhibits of domestic arts (including bread, prepared fruit, pickles and honey, household manufactures, work of art and pictures, fancy articles and needlework, flowers and historic articles); vegetable exhibits in a large tent at the rear of the town hall; field exhibits (including cattle and poulty); Woburn Brass Band; athletic games upon the "campus" opposite the town house (including an obstacle race, climbing greased pole, 100 yard dash, potato race, running high jump, standing high jump, and running long jump); speeches; parade; and a visit by Governor Col. Harry Russell; the plowing match was cancelled. For winners in various categories, see the Woburn City News, October 10, 1889.

By 1891 the fair was such a successful annual event that neighboring communities also participated. The society adopted a constitution, by-laws, and a set of rule and regulations. The officers were: President Thomas I. Reed (1846-1933); Vice President Fernald E. Ham (1835-1907); Secretary Albert Sumner Wood (1866-1905); and Treasurer William Henry Winn (1840-1898). The Board of Directors included: Samuel Sewall (probably Samuel Sewall Jr., 1819-1903), Rev. Charles H. Washburn (1860-1931), and Edward Reed (1823-1904).

The fair was still a success as late as 1923, when Governor Alvin T. Fuller and Congressman John Jacob Rogers came to speak on the grounds of the new town hall, as did Woburn's second mayor, George F. Bean. Fogelberg notes that the 2500 paid admissions went toward providing a free bed for a Burlington patient at the Charles Choate Memorial Hospital (Woburn, Mass.), which opened in 1909.

The Burlington Grange #351 was organized in 1915 and was primarily a rural farmer's organization; when the Burlington Agricultural Society declined, the Grange continued to organize Burlington agricultural fairs. For forty or more years, the Grange served as an important social and service organization for Burlington and was noted for its community work. For information on the Burlington Grange, see photograph description for People: item 81.

It appears that the fair became known as the Burlington Agricultural Fair ca. 1921; Fogelberg notes that September 1926 was the fifth year of the fair by that name (Fogelberg, p. 325, Woburn City Press, October 10, 1889, John D. McElhiney, Woburn: a Past Observed, Fogelberg pp. 216-218)

32 Pie eating contest at the Welcome Home Jubilee 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Photographer by A. J. Hall.

33 First Little League award night 1952 1 photograph : b&w.

Shows Thomas Mohan, Richard Rosson, and Ernie Marvin. On the drums, Arthur Zervas. 1952 officials: Francis Sarno, President; John E. Fogelberg, Vice President; Kenneth Brown, Treasurer; Richard Doherty, Secretary; Warren Ganley, Secretary; Jerome Lynch, Commissioner.

34 Church of Christ 200th anniversary outside the Marion Tavern 1932 2 photographs : b&w.

Photograph shows the women arriving by stagecoach. Notes on verso L-R: Miss Mabel Keating; Bernice McIntire Sleeper (only 1 foot showing in photograph); Mrs. Ralph R. MacDonald (Lillian Annie Eaton); Evelyn Foster Blake; Helen McIntire Bussey (bonnet showing); Lucy McCarthy Fiske; Alice Foster (now Mrs Norman Gay); Gove Sleeper (innkeeper); Capt. Wyer, Woburn G.A.R.; J. Otis Simonds [Otis Simonds] (Belmont), son of Marshall Simonds; William F. Cook (Woburn) G.A.R.; Frank Smith (Woburn) G.A.R.; Mr. Maloney, Spanish American War veteran? Photograph by H. W. Reynolds (Brookline, Mass.) For more information on the G.A.R. [Grand Army of the Republic], see the photograph description for People: item 504.

35 Stage performance for Massachusetts Tercentenary celebration 1930 1 photograph : b&w.

Photograph is dated March 4, 1930 and was probably held in the town hall auditorium.

Back row, left to right: Helen Bussey, Annie McDonald. Third row, left to right: Mack McGinnis, Earl Smith, Mr. Earl Smith [Sr.], Evelyn Brown, Ethel Graham, Carl Bussey, Florence Symmes, Mrs. Roy Pricely, Mrs. Pearsons, Anna Smith, Mrs. Smith, Elizabeth Bennett, David Brown, Mrs. Richison. Second row, left to right: Lillian Johnson, Gertrude T. Reed, Pricilla Richardson, Betty Symmes, Harriet Pearsons, Mrs. Reed T. I. (2nd). First row: Alice Foster, Gertrude Reed, Genevieve McIntire, Lena Hill.

36 Women at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 2 photographs : b&w.

Based on the information in Events: item 132, the woman on the left is Mrs. Rev. Richard T. Broeg and the woman on the far right is Mrs. Joseph M. McDowell.

Event was held July 19, 1919 to celebrate the return of troops from World War I. The program included a concert by the Woburn National Band and athletics in the afternoon; a banquet at 6:00 pm; and a reception in the Town Hall in the evening. Speakers included: Arthur W. Nichols, toastmaster and Wilford A. Walker, Burlington resident and Captain of Company F, 318th Infantry. Colonel Edard L. Logan, Commander of the 101st Infantry presented each veteran with an engraved bronze medal that bore that town seal (Fogelberg, p. 353).

37 Banquet outside town hall for Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 2 photographs : b&w.

38 Souvenir booklet from Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Booklet includes: advertisements from Walter H. Wilcox Insurance (Woburn, Mass.), Tanners National Bank (Woburn, Mass.), T. I. Reed's Hams and Bacons (Burlington, Mass.), Norris F. Comley Wholesale Florists (Boston, Mass.), Adams Company (Woburn, Mass.), Edward Caldwell: Dealer in House Furnishing Goods (Woburn, Mass.), Munroe's Clothing Store (Woburn, Mass.), S. K. Ames Butter and Teas Store (Woburn, Mass.), Central Hardware Co. Hardware (Woburn, Mass.), Hammond and Son Co. (Woburn, Mass.), B. G. Fowler Ice Cream and Confectionery (Woburn, Mass.), Woburn National Bank (Woburn, Mass.), Magnet Store (Woburn, Mass.), W. T. Burns Up-to-Date Furniture (Woburn, Mass.), Cummings and Chute Hay, Grain, Coal and Wood (Woburn, Mass.), Moore and Parker (Woburn, Mass.), W. L. Fisher (Woburn, Mass.), Silver Flake Brand Corn Flakes (Woburn, Mass.), James McLaughlin (Burlington, Mass.), Hill and Hill Boston, Mass.), J. F. Winn and Co. (Winchester, Mass. and Woburn, Mass.), Aylward Bros. Florists (Woburn, Mass.), John Bates and Son Automobiles (Woburn, Mass.), John A. Richardson Lumber (Billerica, Mass.), A. T. Sawyer Fine Groceries, Butter, Eggs (North Woburn, Mass.), Hart and Company (Woburn, Mass.), Custance Brothers Building Contractors (Lexington, Mass.), Lexington Lumber Co. (Lexington, Mass.), Edward E. Lynch Funeral Director and Embalmer (Woburn, Mass.), Johnson and Johnson Attorneys at Law (Woburn, Mass.), A. T. McHugh Shirt Waist Store (Woburn, Mass.), Middlesex Coal and Grain Co. (Bedford, Mass.), Two Friends (Woburn, Mass.), ; a list of officers for the Burlington Red Cross, Home Service Committee, Red Cross Drive, May 1918, War Saving Stamps Committee, Soldiers and Sailors Christmas Parcel Committee, Red Cross Drive December 1918, Burlington Red Cross workers, Liberty Loan Committee, entertainment program, images of veterans, photograph of the town hall, and photograph of the Welcome Home Committee. Photographs were scanned and cataloged separately.

132 Portrait of the Welcome Home Jubilee Committee 1919 1 computer image : b&w.

Top row, left to right: John F. Tessier, Selwyn H. Graham, Ira Decker, Samuel F. Sewall, Charles E. Giff, John J. McDowell.

Bottom row, left to right: Rev. Richard T. Broeg, A. G., S. T. B., Mrs. Richard T. Broeg, Arthur W. Nichols, Mrs. Mary F. Pollock [Mrs. William J. Pollock], Joseph M. McDowell, Mrs. Joseph M. McDowell.

243 Opening the box in the cornerstone of the town hall ca. 1969 2 photographs : color.

Left to right: Chief Edward C. McCafferty, Bill Humphrey, John "Ed" Fogelberg, and Bill Finn. The box was placed in the cornerstone of the town hall when it was built in 1915 and was opened on the day the town hall was torn down ca. 1969. See page 77 of the 1968 annual report for a comparison photograph of the second town hall-Dodge house and second town hall-third town hall.

For more information on the history of the town halls, see Buildings: items 16-18.

249 Opening the box in the cornerstone of the town hall ca. 1969 1 photograph : color.

Left to right: Chief Edward C. McCafferty, Bill Humphrey, and John "Ed" Fogelberg. The box was placed in the cornerstone of the town hall when it was built in 1915 and was opened on the day the town hall was torn down ca. 1969. See page 77 of the 1968 annual report for a comparison photograph of the second town hall-Dodge house and second town hall-third town hall.

For more information on the history of the town halls, see Buildings: items 16-18.

278 American flag created from produce at the Burlington agricultural fair ca. 1915 1 photograph : b&w.

For more information, see photograph description for Events: item 31.

279 Bonfire at Simonds Park [ca. 1930s?] 1 photograph : b&w.

For more information, see description for Events: item 30.

280 Mrs. Stewart Oldford getting ready for a bonfire on Church Lane [ca. 1930s?] 1 photograph : b&w.

For more information, see description for Events: item 30.

392 Church of Christ 200th anniversary celebration on cart outside the Marion Tavern 1932 (attrib.) 1 photograph : b&w.

Appears to be the same event as noted in Events: item 34; the clothing appears to be the same, the light fixture above the door is clearly 20th century, and the photographer is the same. Photograph by H. W. Reynolds (Brookline, Mass.)

401 Children and adults watching activities on the commons at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 2 photographs : b&w.

The image shows the elms along Center St.; the second town hall is in the background. The house behind the tree appears to be the house of Miss Addie May Blodgett, 1882-1931 and the house to the right of the trees is the Church of Christ parsonage; for more information on the former, see Buildings: item 47 and for more information on the latter, see Historic homes and farms: item 434. Photograph by A. J. Hall (Boston, Mass.) [Catalog record in progress.]

402 People praying at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee banquet 1919 2 photographs : b&w.

The images shows tables of banquet-goers with their heads bowed in front of the second town hall. Photograph by A. J. Hall.

403 View of banquet tables and servers preparing for the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee banquet 1919 2 photographs : b&w.

The images shows tables in front of the second town hall, with servers pouring water; more than one of the servers is African American. Guests are starting to mingle outside the entrance of the town hall; an orchard appears to the northeast of the town hall. Photograph by A. J. Hall.

404 Table of banquet-goers pose for the camera at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Image shows banquet-goers looking at the photographer. The image also offers a good close-up of the entrance of the second town hall. Photograph by A. J. Hall.

405 Table of banquet-goers pose for the camera at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Image shows banquet-goers looking at the photographer; the second town hall is in the background. Photograph by A. J. Hall.

406 Table of banquet-goers pose for the camera at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Image shows banquet-goers looking at the photographer; Center St. and the common is in the background. Photograph attributed to A. J. Hall.

407 Table of banquet-goers pose for the camera at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Image shows banquet-goers looking at the photographer; the second town hall is in the background. A truck is located to the left of town hall; based on a closer view in Events: item 412, the sign on the truck appears to read H. J. Seiler Cakes. Photograph by A. J. Hall.

408 Head table of banquet-goers pose for the camera at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Image shows the head table looking at the photographer; a number of the men appear to be soldiers. The image shows a close-up of the second town hall foundation and what appears to be the house of Miss Addie May Blodgett, (1882-1931) in the background; for more information see Historic homes and farms: item 175. There is more than one African American server in the photograph. Burlington's first form of transporting children to school--the barge--appears to be in the background. Based on the information in Events: item 132, the man at the right-front part of the table appears to be committee member John F. Tessier. Photograph by A. J. Hall.

409 Table of banquet-goers pose for the camera at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Image shows banquet-goers looking at the photographer; the common and Center St. is in the background. Photograph attributed to A. J. Hall.

410 Table of banquet-goers pose for the camera at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Image shows banquet-goers looking at the photographer; the second town hall is in the background. Based on the information in Events: item 132, the man at the right front table is Samuel F. Sewall (1875-1937). SFS was the son of Samuel Brown Sewall (1846-1883) and Louise Elizabeth Farrington (1848-1917); nephew of suffragette Martha Elizabeth Sewall Curtis (1858-1915); and the great-grandson of Rev. Samuel Sewall (1785-1868). Photograph attributed to A. J. Hall.

411 Table of banquet-goers pose for the camera at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 2 photographs : b&w.

Image shows banquet-goers looking at the photographer; the common and Center St. is in the background; the Congregational parsonage is in the left-hand background and in the very distance is the Pearson-Symmes house and the Center School. Photograph attributed to A. J. Hall.

412 Table of banquet-goers pose for the camera at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Image shows banquet-goers looking at the photographer; the second town hall and woods are in the background. The truck sign appears to read H. J. Seiler Cakes. Photograph attributed to A. J. Hall.

Based on the information in Events: item 132, the man at the front-left of the table is Selwyn Harrison Graham (1889-1982). SHG served on the committee for Burlington's first high school; the committee was appointed February 1937. SHG served as town clerk from 1911-1934; Board of Assessors from 1911-1913; School Committee 1919-1927; and Cemetery Committee 1929-1934.

413 Children playing jump rope in the middle of Center Street at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Image shows children lined up along Center Street. The house of Miss Addie May Blodgett, 1882-1931 and orchards are in the background; for more information on the Blodgett house, see Historic homes and farms: item 175. Photograph by A. J. Hall.

414 Table of banquet-goers pose for the camera at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Image shows banquet-goers looking at the photographer; the second town hall is in the background. Photograph by A. J. Hall.

415 Banquet-goers sing the song, the Star Spangled Banner, at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

Image shows banquet-goers standing next to the banquet tables; the second town hall is in the background. Photograph by A. L. Weston (Billerica, Mass.)

416 Image of the town seal surrounded by the United States coat of arms and flags 1919 1 printed image : color.

Includes the flags of: Panama, Cuba, Brazil, Montenegro, Belgium, Great Britian, United States, France, Italy, Japan, China, Portugal, and Serbia.

417 [Massachusetts Tercentenary celebration reenactment?] [1930?] 1 photograph : b&w.

Title: Lo! God is here. Per notes on verso, left to right: Marshall Orray Skelton, Carl Bussey, Thomas I. Reed, Leland Barnum, unidentified, Wilford Almon Walker, unidentified. Based on the ages of those in the photograph, this image may have been part of the Massachusetts Tercentenary celebration. Photograph by Henry E. Towle, Medford Hillside, Mass.

443 Pie eating contest at the Welcome Home Jubilee 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

The house on the right side of the photograph appears to be the house of Miss Addie May Blodgett, 1882-1931; for more information see Historic homes and farms: item 175. Photograph by A. J. Hall.

444 Paying tribute to Burlington veterans at the memorial on the common ca. 1955 1 photograph : color.

Notes on verso: "In honored glory to those of Burlington who gave their lives in our country's hour of need this monument is gratefully dedicated" July 4, 1954. Probably taken in 1944 [1944 is crossed out and 1955 is written above] when Charles Reed, back to camera, was Commander of the American Legion here in 1944. The Capt. John Wood house [Wood tavern] is in background (fire station stands there now). Memorial then on the triangle now on the common. Bronze plaque for World War I was once on boulder in front of library (now museum building).

445 Preparing for a bonfire at Simonds Park [ca. 1930s] 1 photograph : b&w.

For more information, see description for Events: item 30.

446 Bonfire on Simonds Park [ca. 1930s] 1 photograph : b&w.

For more information, see description for Events: item 30.

494 Burlington [agricultural fair] ca. 1938 1 photograph : b&w.

Note on verso reads: the Burlington fair c 1938 when run by the Grange or Civic Club. For more information, see photograph description for Events: item 31 and People: item 82.

499 Head table of banquet-goers pose for the camera at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee celebration 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

503 [Massachusetts Tercentenary celebration reenactment?] [1930?] 1 photograph : b&w.

Title: Lo! God is here. Based on the ages of those in Events: item 417, this image may have been part of the Massachusetts Tercentenary celebration. Photograph by Henry E. Towle, Medford Hillside, Mass.

504 Veterans and the only surviving member of the G.A.R. [Grand Army of the Republic] in front of the Marion Tavern 1919 1 photograph : b&w.

People: item 476 lists the man as the only surviving member of the G.A.R. [Grand Army of the Republic], but does not provide a name. The Grand Army of the Republic was founded in Decatur, Illinois on April 6, 1866 by Benjamin F. Stephenson. Membership was limited to honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who had served between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865. The community level organizations were called posts. The final encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic was held in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1949 and the last member, Albert Woolson died in 1956. The G.A.R. encouraged allied organizations and endorsed the Sons of Veterans of the United States of America--later to become the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War--as its heir.

The photograph was taken at the Welcome Home Victory Jubilee, July 1919. Photograph by A. J. Hall (Boston, Mass.) (Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, "Brief History of the Grand Army of the Republic," http://suvcw.org/gar.htm, accessed November 22, 2000).

523 Burlington agricultural fair big tent 1890 1 photograph : b&w.

For more information, see photograph description for Events: item 31 and People: item 82.

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