Vol 1_Iss_3 - Jan-Mar 2008

Woburn Historical Society
The Lamplighter
Volume 1, Number 3
January - March 2008
A Letter from the President
by Kathy Lucero
New Officers and Board of Directors
Elected at WHS Annual Meeting
by Joe Crowley
I am honored to be addressing
you as the Woburn Historical
Society‟s new president.
It
marks a moment in our own
history where we transition to
new leadership for the first
time. This message will be a
bit unusual for someone who is
so constantly focused on the past in that I would
like to concentrate on the future and share with
you my vision for the Society for the coming year.
It promises to be exciting.
Building on the momentum of our first two years,
we plan to continue our popular lecture and video
series with events that focus on the history of our
WW II, Korean and Vietnam War veterans, the
histories of our Police and Fire Departments, the
Woburn Schools, and the Choate Hospital. We
also plan to continue to grow our Living History
Committee. Woburn is a strong sports town and
next year should see the Sports History program
up and running. The Society will also continue
our working relationship with the schools and
develop additional programs, such as the Tannery
history film, to share with students and teachers.
I also plan to institute additional committees that
will solidify our role as a historical society and
position us as a resource to the City and its citizens. Specifically, I would like to see the Society
become active in helping people with their genealogy research, increase our collection of Woburn‟s
historical photos and even begin a book club
where we study and research historical written
materials.
The Society has taken a step forward in its fundraising activities. For the first time we have corporate sponsors for the Pathway of the Patriots
and the Old Burial Ground Tour events. Northern Bank & Trust Company and Century21 Crowley have each made a generous donation that has
allowed us to focus on improving our events
rather than on fundraising for them. This sponsorship model will likely be continued for other
programs as we move forward.
First row (l-r): Past-President Cary Scarborough, President Kathy
Lucero, Vice-President Joe Crowley, Secretary Pat Hughes, and
Treasurer John McElhiney. Second row (l-r): Clare Hurley, Darlene
Wigton, Melissa Davidson-Kyle, Sue Ellen Holland, Gerry Kehoe.
Third row (l-r): Chuck Provost, Walt Kearney, and Brian Ouellette.
Missing: Marie Coady and Peter Lennon.
See Annual Meeting story on page 4
Inside this Issue ...
A Letter from the President
1
Annual Meeting
1
Calendar of Upcoming Events
2
Pathway of the Patriots
3
Special Thanks to Board Members
4
Woburn: A Leather City
5
An Interview with ... Bud Fowle
6
WW II Veterans Enthrall WMHS Sophomores
7
(continued on page 4, A Letter from the President)
Please visit our website at www.WoburnHistoricalSociety.com
The Lamplighter
January - March 2008
The Lamplighter, Woburn Historical Society‟s quarterly
newsletter, is published with the purpose of sharing topics
of interest, and for the education and enjoyment of our
members and our community. You can find this issue
along with all back issues posted on our website at
www.WoburnHistoricalSociety.com.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
We invite you to contact us by postal mail, email, or voicemail at:
* * * Back by Popular Demand * * *
The Lamplighter
Clare Hurley, Editor
c/o Woburn Historical Society
PO Box 91
Woburn, MA 01801
April 14th
Woburn: A Leather City
7:00 p.m.
Woburn Memorial High School Auditorium
[email protected]
April 26th
781-287-0260
Officers and Directors 2008
President ……….....………………...……..… Kathy Lucero
Vice President …...……………..…..……....… Joe Crowley
Secretary ……………..……..………….….…... Pat Hughes
Treasurer ……….…………....………...… John McElhiney
Marie Coady
Melissa Davidson-Kyle
Sue Ellen Holland
Clare Hurley
Gerry Kehoe
Peter Lennon
Brian Ouellette
Chuck Provost
Cary Scarborough
Darlene Wigton
Committees
Education …………………………………..... Kathy Lucero
Fund Development ………….….………....... Peter Lennon
Living History ………………....………..... Darlene Wigton
Membership ……………….…...... Melissa Davidson-Kyle
Sports History …………………....…..……. Chuck Provost
Veteran‟s Oral History ……..……....…....… Kathy Lucero
2nd Annual Pathway of the Patriots
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Old Tarky School Lot on Russell Street
* Rain date is April 27th
May 19th
Genealogy with Janis Duffy
of the Massachusetts State Archives
7:00 p.m.
Woburn Memorial High School Auditorium
* Rescheduled from January 2008
June 9th
Other Resources
History of the Woburn Police
Audio-Video Recording …..……........…... Brian Ouellette
Priynk Patel
Costume Design ……………..……..…….. Darlene Wigton
Early Photography …………………....……….. Leon Basil
Genealogy .................................................... Kathy Lucero
Historian ………………….…………….… John McElhiney
Media Relations ...................................... Joseph Crowley
Newsletter Editor …...….……….….…...….. Clare Hurley
On-Location Field Supervisor ................... Rodney Flynn
Photographer ………………………….…....... Gerry Kehoe
Print Production ………………………...….. Kathy Lucero
Pathway of the Patriots Producer ..….... Darlene Wigton
Theatrical Interpretations …….……..…....... Kim Carrell
Webmaster ………………………………....….. Pat Hughes
7:00 p.m.
Woburn Memorial High School Auditorium
Page 2
Special Acknowledgements
 To Gene Vogt for facilitating the donation of six laptop computers
from MITRE Corporation as well as donating a personal laptop.
 Unless otherwise noted, all photographs are courtesy of
Gerry Kehoe of Innitou Photography.
 To Michael Kelly for designing and printing flyers for the
monthly meetings and special events.
Volume 1, Number 3
January - March 2008
The Lamplighter
Local Sponsors Support this Year’s Pathway of the Patriots Event
by Rosa DiTucci
Northern Bank & Trust Company and Century21 Crowley have offered to co-sponsor the
Pathway of the Patriots event on April 26th.
Their generous contributions will allow the Historical Society to plan for an expanded program
that will be even richer and more interesting
than last year.
James Mawn, President of Northern Bank &
Trust Company is strongly committed to helping
Woburn. The bank is known for its deep roots
in the community and for helping individuals
and local businesses. James states, “Sponsoring
this event is good for the city. We are a part of
Woburn and we strive to be good neighbors, not
just a neighborhood bank. I‟m really pleased
that we can be part of an event that is sure to
become a long-standing tradition in Woburn.”
Co-sponsors Stephen Braese of Century21 Crowley and J. Lawrence Mawn of
Northern Bank & Trust gather with Woburn Historical Society and WREN volunteers, members of His Majesty's 10th Regiment, and members of the Charlestown/Woburn Militia at the old Tarky School site. Photo courtesy of Joe Brown
Stephen Braese, Broker/Owner of Century21 Crowley first became aware of the Pathway event last year by accident.
He was relaxing in his back yard with his wife Bonnie when he noticed a group of colonial-era re-enactors passing close
by. It turns out that their home borders the Old Battle Road. He was curious enough to find out more and then he decided that he wanted to help. Stephen is so enthusiastic about the event that he has offered to bring his cannon and
fire it to mark the beginning of the day‟s program.
Stephen said, “Sponsoring this event is a good fit for both companies. My business is housed in a home constructed in
1830 with lots of history within the building. Together, we represent the longest established bank and the longest established real estate office in Woburn. It seems only natural that we would both be interested in fostering a keener
interest in Woburn‟s history.”
If you attend, please stop by and visit our sponsors to let them know how much we appreciate their help. See you there!
PROGRAM OF EVENTS
10 a.m. - 12 noon
Military Drills and Dramatizations
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Tar and Feather Him
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Skirmish between British and the Militia
and more Military Drills and Dramatizations
View authentic Camp Life, Crafts,
Music, Dancing and Cooking
throughout the day
Volume 1, Number 3
Page 3
The Lamplighter
January - March 2008
Special Thanks to Former Board Members
by Joe Crowley
At its most recent meeting on March 24th, the Board of Directors reluctantly accepted the resignation of Walt Kearney from the Society. One of the original four founders of the fledgling organization, Walt was a tireless worker who spearheaded several overwhelmingly successful programs including "The First Burial Ground Tour" and "Pathways of the Patriots". He was also
responsible for the development of the website. His insight, creativity and dedication will be
sorely missed.
Walt Kearney, Founder and
former Board Member
Photo provided by W. Kearney
The Board also expressed its appreciation to former co-Treasurers Ellen and Dawn Lennon
who chose not to seek reelection last month. Both were cited for their outstanding contribution
in managing the Society's finances during its formative years.
(continued from page 1, A Letter from the President)
However, as you can see, our proposed programs for next year are truly ambitious and corporate sponsorship will not
be enough. We cannot achieve our goals without a solid base of members. Therefore, one of my objectives for this coming year is to expand our membership and increase our funding. We will look for more input from the community –
input into our programs, ideas for future presentations and increased financial support.
Of course, there can be no future without a past to build upon. The Society has had tremendous success in the past two
years, none of which could have been accomplished without the leadership of Cary Scarborough, our past president,
and Walt Kearney, a past Board member, whose tireless efforts made so many things possible. Cary and Walt are two
of the four original founders and were instrumental in building a solid foundation for the Society upon which we can
continue to expand and grow. Their dedication and contributions will not be forgotten.
In closing, I‟d like to thank all the volunteers whose hard work and dedication is the engine that drives us and I look
forward to working with all of you in the coming year.
(continued from page 1, WHS Annual Meeting)
This year‟s Annual Meeting was held on March 10th at the First Congregational Church hall, where members joined
for an evening of Board member elections and entertainment. Kathy Lucero was elected President. Filling other offices for the upcoming year are Vice-President Joe Crowley, Treasurer John McElhiney and Secretary Pat Hughes. All
were unanimously elected by the membership.
Kathy is one of the four founding members of the Society and is currently Secretary of the Woburn Historic District
Commission, a city board that develops historic districts within the city. She, Darlene Wigton and Walt Kearney
brought their vision of creating an historical society to a reality. Joining them was Cary Scarborough, who served as
the first president.
“My service on the Woburn Historic District Commission really piqued my interest in Woburn‟s unique history and
pointed out the need for a way to communicate that history to its citizens, young and old” explained the new president.
Kathy also serves as Chairperson of the Veterans Oral History Project, an endeavor that has brought much acclaim
and, in collaboration with Brian Ouellette of Plasma Films, resulted in the production of the outstanding film series,
“Woburn„s Voices of World War II”. The celebrated film “Woburn: A Leather City” followed shortly thereafter. With
abundant energy and enthusiasm, Kathy also volunteers at the Woburn Council for Social Concern food pantry and is
the owner of her own print distributorship business, Out Source Print Management, Inc. A lifelong Woburnite, she
and her husband Paul have three children and three grandchildren.
Cary Scarborough, the Society‟s first president, received a plaque in recognition of his leadership and many accomplishments in developing the nascent organization during its first two years.
The members also elected six members to the Board of Directors for three year terms: Marie Coady, Sue Ellen Holland,
Pat Hughes, Peter Lennon, Brian Ouellette, and Chuck Provost. They will join incumbent board members Darlene
Wigton, Melissa Davidson-Kyle, Geraldine Kehoe and Clare Hurley, as well as the four newly elected officers.
Following the election, noted pianist and vocalist John Root treated the membership to a medley of songs from the Gaslight Era. Mr. Root explained the origins of this music from the late 19 th to early 20th centuries, and encouraged all to
sing along to such treasures as “Bicycle Built for Two”, “My Wild Irish Rose”, and “Moonlight Bay”. A wonderful time
was had by all.
Page 4
Volume 1, Number 3
January - March 2008
The Lamplighter
Back by Popular Demand !
April 14th, 7 p.m. at Woburn High School
Woburn: A Leather City
by Joe Crowley
On a cold, windy Monday in February, over 250 people
filled the Woburn Memorial High School auditorium to
see the WHS‟ presentation of “Woburn: A Leather City.”
WHS Board members Kathy Lucero, John McElhiney and
Brian Ouellette created a film that vividly describes the
history of the tannery industry and how it became the
economic and social backbone of Woburn for two centuries. This film, narrated by John, poignantly followed the
history of Woburn‟s tanneries beginning in the colonial
era, its ascendancy as the dominant industry in the 19th
century, and its decline, when in 1988 the last tannery
finally closed its doors forever.
The sepia tones of the many early photographs vividly
showed the difficult working conditions that the mostly
Attentive audience viewing the Tannery presentation
migrant workers endured as they struggled to provide for
their families. Tannery work was dirty and dangerous, and the men took jobs as opportunities provided; if there was
no work, they and their families faced a future without the benefit of health insurance, workmen‟s compensation or
public assistance.
The film also included photos of the beautiful mansions that were built by the tannery owners for themselves, some
which can still be seen today. The film helped to highlight the sharp contrast of these elegant homes compared to the
squalid conditions the tannery workers faced every day.
The audience was amazed by the quality of the film, which was produced by Plasma Films, whose
owner Brian Ouellette volunteered his time and equipment to make this unique production. “A
Hollywood film company
could not have done a better job.” was an oft-heard
audience comment. LongPhil Hawley
time Woburn resident Phil
Hawley, the last co-owner of John J. Riley Co.,
was on hand to share with the audience his experience working in a tannery as an employee
and his knowledge as an owner in the tannery
industry. He answered audience questions and
provided information on current trends in today‟s leather-processing industries.
The DVD of
“Woburn: A Leather City”
will be available
for sale
at this event
Volume 1, Number 3
Page 5
The Lamplighter
January - March 2008
An Interview with ... Bud Fowle
by Clare L. Hurley
Alfred Chester (Bud) Fowle has been a resident of Woburn for most of his life as have most of his relatives going back many, many generations, even back to one of our City‟s founding fathers. Bud enjoys
the hobby of genealogy and the opportunities it brings him to be in contact with distant relatives
across the United States. There are three Fowle families currently living in Woburn that go back five
generations before connecting with Margery Carter who married Josiah Fowle in 1752.
Photo courtesy of
Bud Fowle
Bud graduated from Woburn High School in 1944 and joined the Navy, serving as a sonarman on the
Destroyer DD725 O‟Brian. He was a draftsman and spent much of his career as an electrical/
mechanical design checker for the Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, NATO, and other military contractors. He and his wife Barbara have six children, eleven grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Q. How did you begin your genealogical search?
A. I read Eugene C. Fowle‟s Descendents of George Fowle (1610/11?-1682) of Charlestown, Massachusetts1. For the
next ten years I worked on an exhaustive study of the Fowle family line, which included separating the branches of
my family tree. Most people research their own blood lines, but I‟ve gone into other branches, such as the Wyman,
Winn, Richardson, Simonds, Hall, Brainerd, Barret, and Flagg families.
Q. What other sources do you use?
A. My father had provided some information from a family journal. I am also a member of both the Essex Genealogy
Society and Massachusetts Genealogy Society (Middlesex Chapter). I don‟t do much research in libraries or in the
state or national archives; rather the information just seems to fall into my lap because others who‟ve done similar
research have shared their findings with me. But I still spend up to several hours a week working on my research
by traveling, visiting gravesites, taking pictures of houses and meeting people.
Q. What information have you discovered in your search that you found really interesting?
A. Everything I discover is interesting and full of surprises! One
example is learning about the Watertown Historical Society‟s successful renovation of the Edmund Fowle House, located on Marshall Street in Watertown. I have also discovered through research in the National Register of Historic Places, the Fowle Reed
Wyman house located on Old Mystic Road in Arlington, just over
the Winchester line.
More than sixty years ago, when I was photographing and filing
discharge papers for the Naval Discharge Service in the Fargo
Building in Boston, I came across discharge information for someone I thought might be a distant relative. Recently, I contacted
three of my great-grandmother Sara Brainerd‟s descendants and
discovered that indeed, their father, Harold Brainerd‟s military
discharge was through Boston.
Q. What impact has your search had on you and your family?
The Bryenton Family
Back row (l-r): James, Harold, Edgar, and Horace
Middle row (l-r): Sadie, Sarah, Amos, Marguerite, Earl
Front row (l-r): Mildred and Ernie
Photo courtesy of Bud Fowle
A. My son Thomas has also become involved in the Fowle family genealogical search, and the rest of my family is learning more
about their ancestors and new „lost cousins‟. Pictures, historical and personal stories are more interesting than just
names. I have gathered so much information, and I have filled several albums to pass on to my family.
1 Fowle,
E.C., Descendents of George Fowle (1610/11?-1682) of Charlestown, Massachusetts, (1990) Boston, New England Historic Genealogical Society.
"In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage - to know who we are and where we came
from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life,
there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness." ~ Alex Haley, Roots
Page 6
Volume 1, Number 3
January - March 2008
The Lamplighter
WW II Veterans Enthrall WMHS Sophomores
By Joe Crowley
Over three hundred sophomore students at Woburn Memorial High School (WMHS) listened attentively to President
Kathy Lucero‟s highly acclaimed “Woburn‟s Voices of World War II” presentation on the cold afternoon of January 28 th.
This well-produced program displayed the glory and brutality of the war for the entire sophomore class, along with
teachers and school Principal Robert Norton. This is the
same presentation that was so well received by WHS‟ members and the public when it was shown on Veteran‟s Day
2007 at the American Legion Hall.
All in attendance were spellbound as graphic images of that
terrible conflict unfolded before them. The scenes were
made more vivid by Woburn veterans Mike McGann, John
Lupone and Bob Johnston, who were on stage to tell their
personal stories to the students. “This is part of the Historical Society‟s effort to bring history into the city‟s classrooms,
Lucero noted. “I was so pleased to see how the students received the program and impressed by the quality of the
many questions that were asked at the end of the presentation” she added. WMHS Principal Bob Norton was also very
impressed. “The study of World War II is part of the 10 th
grade Social Studies curriculum. This was an opportunity
for the kids to see history come alive and to gain a better
knowledge as to how it impacted their own community”, he
stated.
This presentation at the high school was part of the WMHS
Education Committee‟s goal of introducing programs into
the schools that are intended to increase students‟ understanding and appreciation of their city‟s rich history.
Seated (l-r): Woburn Veterans Bob Johnston (Marines, 4th Marine
Division), John Lupone (Army, 101st Airborne, Paratrooper, Medic,
POW), Mike McGann (Marines, 1st Armored Amphibian Battalion).
Standing (l-r): Kathy Lucero (WHS President), sophomore history
students and Brendan Doherty, History teacher at Woburn Memorial High School.
Photo courtesy of Sue Thifault, teacher at WMHS
The Woburn Historical Society is grateful to the efforts of
Bob Norton, Principal, Wayne Suchecki, History Department and Brendan Doherty, History Teacher at the Woburn
Memorial High School for their assistance in making this presentation possible.
Interested in Genealogy?
Come learn how to
research your
family tree !
Woburn Historical Society
Monday, May 19th @ 7:00 p.m.
Janis Duffy
of the Massachusetts State Archives
Woburn Memorial High School Auditorium
Volume 1, Number 3
The headstone of Helen Brown, 1835-1869, was recently unearthed during excavation on Harrison
Avenue.
Marie Coady, of both
the Woburn Historical
Commission and the
Woburn
Historical
Society
researched
Mrs. Brown‟s family
records and discovered
she was born in Bath,
Maine where she married her husband.
They moved to Woburn and probably
lived in the Rag Rock
section.
Photo courtesy of Joe Brown
Speculation is that
Mrs. Brown died during childbirth.
Page 7
A Society of Dedicated Friends
WOBURN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PO Box 91
Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: 781-287-0260
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: www.WoburnHistoricalSociety.com
Woburn Historical Society
Annual Membership Application
The mission of the Society is to preserve the valuable history of Woburn by involving interested citizens in
the discovery and presentation of our community's heritage and culture.
Please fill out both sides of this form
Name __________________________________________
Email address _________________________________________
Address ________________________________________
City, State & Zip _______________________________________
Home phone ____________________________________
Cell/Work phone _______________________________________
The WHS is an IRS-designated 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations to it are tax-deductible on your Federal
income tax forms. All membership fees and donations are directly applied to the costs of our monthly historical enrichment programs and lectures.
Individual Membership $25.00 ______
Family Membership
$35.00 ______
Student Membership
$10.00 ______
Membership application also available
on
www.WoburnHistoricalSociety.com
Business/Organization/Benefactor/Other ______
Please forward membership application along with your check made out to “Woburn Historical Society”
to Woburn Historical Society, PO Box 91, Woburn, MA 01801
Volume 1, Number 3
Copyright © 2008 Woburn Historical Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
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