Stevens Memorial Library, Ashburnham, Massachusetts (See Resources for Genealogists)

 

20 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham, MA 01430

Phone: 978-827-4115

Website:https://ashburnhamlibrary.org/

I was glad I made the decision to visit the Ashburnham Library on March 30, 2024, a nice sunny, windy cold day. It took about an hour from home and I had to pass through Fitchburg, a major city I've never been in. Ashburnham is a small town with a population of about 6,000 and I found it to be extremely hilly with a lot of woods. Because I was so excited to see the converted school, now the library, I missed taking some pictures. That means a return trip. (I returned on April 27th.)

The front doors I entered into, and faced the front counter and office area.

These steps take you to the 2nd floor as well as the elevator.

The librarian, Holden, took me upstairs to unlock the The Preservation Room for me. This is where their History and Genealogy books and maps are kept under lock and key. He mentioned that they were working on putting material online. If you have ancestors from Ashburnham, you must see their collection here.

The cabinets and map draws are on both sides of the room. The clock is a Silas Hoadley Clock, circa 1800-1810. It was difficult to take a picture of the holdings because of the reflection. However, what I saw were books I've seen in other libraries.

This cabinet was open because somebody was doing research. With permission, I took pictures and am very glad to see what they have. Binders included:

Businesses

Cemeteries

Churches

Fire Department

Funeral Records

House Places

Local History

History

Houses and Places

Below is the length of the room, from the above windows. By the door is a very large lift for a wheelchair or for somebody who can't walk the stairs. Visitors have to pass through a community room.

Below are five photos of the first floor. I love the original woodwork and wooden blinds.

The children's area is on the lowest floor. I took this shot to show the hooks for children to hang their belongings. I've never seen this at a library.

The back of the library has a large playground and the name of the school, Dolly Whitney Adams School. This rather confused me, until I drove around to the front and saw the library name.

From Wikipedia, "

• Bette Davis, a legendary actress of film, television, and theater. She lived in Ashburnham while attending Cushing Academy, graduating in 1927." I'm sharing this because, Bette was born in Lowell, MA, the city I live in.

Ashburnham is bordered by Rindge, New Hampshire, and New Ipswich, New Hampshire to the north.

Scramlin --- What a Difference Time Makes -- Using Google Photos

I used Google to search my surname Scramlin images on April 26, 2004. As you can see, from the above print, only seven images appeared. Fortunately, there were two tombstone photos, but they didn't help with my research.

Fast forward to December 17, 2023, now there are too many to number. For images, there are photos of people, farms, houses, a few maps, business pictures, and my blog.  https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=591685144&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS1002US1002&sxsrf=AM9HkKmUTkX7VeON2SEY1Z7botiZ4kQSfg:1702831922020&q=scramlin&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwj-xcue95aDAxWWGFkFHTlTDjAQ0pQJegQIDRAB&biw=1024&bih=454&dpr=1.5  

I think I was far more excited about 20 years ago doing online research than now.
 

John Houghton and Mary Farrar of Lancaster, Massachusetts -- Tombstone Tuesday

Here Lies Buried

y^e Body of 

John Houghton,

Esquir, As You

Are So Ware We. 

As We Are So

you Will be. 

Who Died February y^e 

3d Anno Domini

1736/7 and

in y^e 87^th

Year of his Age.

John Houghton and his wife, Mary Farrar were my 8th great-grandparents.

They were buried in the Old Common Burial Ground, Lancaster, Massachusetts. 

Here Lies Buried

y^e Body of 

Mrs. Mary Houghton y^e

Wife of John

Houghton Esq'r.

Who Died Apriel

y^e 7^th Ano DM, 1724,

& In y^e 76 Year of Her Age.

Photos were taken in April 2012. During a second trip, I noticed a new large stone with the cemetery name.