Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts on Grandparent's Day

It might seem strange to see a post about the famous Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts here, but there is a reason. Close to 5 months ago, fellow blogger, John Tew of Filiopietism Prism blog and I decided to do a post about this school. He had mentioned that one of his ancestors had gone there, many years ago, and I mentioned that it was rather close to me, and I had visited often, but never the campus. I offered to take current photos and he is posting ca 1912-1913 photos taken by his great-grandfather. I have seen one of them, and tried to locate that building, but never found it. The photos below were taken last month, and it was Grandparent's Day at the school. You will see three generations walking together, so my husband and I fit right in!

Unfortunately, I didn't write down names of buildings, so I don't know what they were. However, on the right of the church, really hidden, is the famous Addison Gallery of American Art. We go there often, because the collections are outstanding. In February (photos at the end of post) we saw the An American in London: Whistler and the Thames exhibit, especially meaningful since the artist was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, where I currently live. If you are in the area, this is worth visiting, it's free, but parking is limited.

Seen may be Samuel Phillips Hall, Bulfinch Hall, Oliver Wendell Holmes Library, Morse Hall, Graham Hall, Graves Hall, and Pearson Hall. If somebody can identify any, please let me know, thanks.

I just discovered a great map of the campus, which I didn't have during my visit. So perhaps another trip is in the works. I loved seeing most of the campus, got plenty of exercise, but I see from the map, there is a whole area we missed!

 

Cochran Chapel

The small cemetery has two entrances, something I just discovered on our walk. I had blogged about seeing the cemetery stone for Harriet Beecher Stowe, seen HERE.

Memorial Bell Tower

Also on the grounds is a wonderful Nature Sanctuary, see previous post HERE.

Addison Gallery on the left, Memorial Bell Tower straight ahead.

DAR Calendar and Covers -- My Photos

The NSDAR (National Society Daughters of the American Revolution) used to print a yearly calendar to sell. Because of my interest of photography, I soon became an unofficial photographer for the Society. The above was a page for the month of May 1995 (I believe), and I took all the photos. Number 5 was used for a DAR Magazine cover, one of 8 that I had during my years of working there.

Randall Library, Stow, Massachusetts (Genealogy and Local History Section)

I believe the photo of the Randall Library in Stow, Massachusetts is the prettiest of all the libraries I've taken. Perfect warm day, blue sky, a bench, lovely red brick building, and beautiful Redbud tree. I hadn't been here in 15 years, so I shouldn't have been surprised to see it had been enlarged (like all the other libraries I've visited).

I introduced myself and the most pleasant librarian, I believe it was Sally, who took me upstairs to the history/genealogy area. First shown, was the old children's area (below), I don't think it is used anymore, because of the addition.

The flag is here because there are two war memorial panels on each side wall, one for the Revolutionary War and the other for the Civil War.

This room has a collection put together by the Stow Historical Society. A nice mini-museum, I would have liked to have seen more, but didn't have the time. I don't remember it from years ago.

Their collection is quite small, and that surprised me because 15 years ago, I found so much useful information pertaining to my 31 Stow individuals in my family tree, two were direct lines. I asked if many genealogists do research here, and the reply was no. 

Genealogies and information are kept in the file cabinet below.

Behind the new addition were all the war memorials, except for the ones mentioned above.

Thayer Memorial Library, Lancaster, Massachusetts

717 Main Street

Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523

Phone: (978) 368-8928

https://thayermemoriallibrary.org/

The Thayer Memorial Library in Lancaster, Massachusetts is an old, 1653 incorporated town that still has an old town charm. The lovely library, with a new addition to their original 1868 building impressed me, but the fact that I couldn't see their special collections, genealogies and old books was a disappointment. I was told they were in a new section, on the floor below the main entrance. In order to see their holdings, I would have to call ahead for an appointment and meet with the Special Collections Librarian, on either Monday, Wednesday or Thursday from 4:15-6:16. At this point, I'm not certain, I'll do it and I was sad I couldn't report on what they have to offer. My genealogy tree has 200 individuals (quite a few direct lines) with ties to Lancaster.

As we walked from a side street parking lot, we pass old horses stables. The First Church of Christ, Unitarian is to the right (not shown), the Town Hall is straight ahead, and the library to the left.

The main entrance was lovely, and I absolutely enjoyed the children s room, part of the original library. The tables and chairs were sized for children.

The Civil War memorial had been in the old section of the library and was moved into the new. This is the 4th time I've seen a war memorial in a library.

Special Collections

The Library’s special collections are housed in the Constance V. R. Dexter Special Collections Room.  Access to the special collections is by appointment only. Visitors with appointments will be given priority over patrons who visit unannounced.

To initiate a visit to the Thayer Memorial Library Special Collections, or to request assistance with historical or genealogical research, please contact the Special Collections Archivist by email at vhatchell@lancasterma.gov or call 978-368-8928 ext. 6. Please give as much information as possible in your request.

Rare Books

The Rare Book Collection consists primarily of printed books, but also includes newspapers, periodicals, pamphlets, broadsides, proof sheets, and other special forms of publication. Strengths of the Library’s Rare Book Collection include:

• Volumes that reflect the history of libraries or of book collecting in the Town of Lancaster.
• New England imprints, particularly Massachusetts imprints, up to the mid-nineteenth century.
• Volumes produced by European printers and/or publishers important in the history of the book, whether significant in the history of printing, publishing, typography, book illustration, or some other aspect of bookmaking or the book-trade.
• Illustrated works in botany, horticulture, gardening, and natural history, through the 19th century.
• Sermons and other religious works, American and English, up to the mid-nineteenth century.
• Historical writings of all descriptions, up to the mid-nineteenth century, with s
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• Special emphasis on American history.

Lancaster Collection

The Lancaster Collection of the Thayer Memorial Library is a comprehensive repository of material documenting the history of Lancaster and the activities of its inhabitants. Items in the collection shed light mainly on the history of the geographical area presently defined as Lancaster, although any material considered valuable in understanding the development of the Town, as it exists, may be included.

The Manuscript Collection is a sub-collection within the Lancaster Collection.

Manuscript Collection

HISTORICAL MUSEUM

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS PROGRAMS

ONLINE RESOU

From the outer entrance of the church, I could see the stables, and since I was taken by them, here's another photo below.

Harvard Public Library, Harvard, Massachusetts (History / Genealogy Room)

Although I have often been through the small town of Harvard, Massachusetts, I had never seen the Library. We found it recently, and I'm so glad to say, it has one of the best genealogy and local history sections I've seen. The Harvard Public Library isn't old but looks it because it is attached to an old school (I believe) as you can see from the two following photos.

I introduced myself to the librarian, and she was happy to show us the locked room where the local history and genealogy books were held. There were great resources, and I only wished I had more than 32 people in my tree with Harvard roots, so I could make use of this room.

While looking at the holdings, my husband brought me a book, see below. I was thrilled, since I wrote a post about Brook Farm in Roxbury, Massachusetts last year. The interesting thing is, I'd never seen this book, and the library at NEHGS doesn't have a copy.

When I asked the librarian where the original library was, she pointed to the photo above. Yes, it was still standing, and after we got directions, off we went to find it, in the center of town. It is now used for an art center, I believe.

Sargent Memorial Library, Boxboro, Massachusetts (Genealogy Section)

Although Boxboro, Massachusetts is an old town (settled in 1680, incorporated in 1835*), the library, Sargent Memorial Library was brand new. I'm thinking they replaced the old building, and I wished I had asked where it was.

I spoke with a librarian, who wasn't sure about letting me see the Local History Room,  but I told her about her blog, and she was the first person not wanting me to take photos. Finally, she agreed I could from the door, lights weren't turned on, so the photos (3 below) aren't the best.

Local History room from the main reading room.

One thing about this library on a hill, there is a lot of land on all four sides, including a garden.

* Prior to incorporation in 1835, the area that is now Boxborough was part of Stow, Harvard, and Littleton.