WESTFIELD-Every 50 years since 1869, local residents have taken stock of what was important to them – and in Westfield – and celebrated in style.
City historian Dr. Robert Brown will present a 60-minute lecture titled “City of Westfield Celebrations: 1869, 1919, 1969” on Nov. 28 at 6:30 p.m. that kicks off the Westfield Wednesdays 350th Historical Lecture Series which will run through May 8. Brown’s lecture will be conducted in the Scanlon Hall banquet room at Westfield State University.
Dr. Robert Brown will lead off the Westfield Wednesdays 350th Historical Lecture Series on Nov. 28 at Westfield State University.
During an interview, Brown noted that each 50-year celebration was unique because of the time period. While he was reluctant to give away details of his lecture, he said each celebration had a theme.
“In 1869 Westfield is very compact,” said Brown, adding the city is still a “Yankee frontier town.”
Due to inclement weather conditions on the day of the 200th year celebration in 1869, the committee recommended to “people in the future” to plan for more than one day when marking an anniversary, according to Brown.
In 1919, city residents reflected on the end of World War I and chose a theme of patriotism which included the dedication of the General William Shepard statue. Once again the weather played a role in the four-day celebration, according to Brown.
The 300th celebration in 1969 is still a fond memory for many living in the city and included a year-long series of events. While the nation was experiencing turmoil with the Vietnam War and riots in the streets, the celebration centered on the prosperity seen in the city.
Highlights from the 1969 300th city celebration will be discussed during a Nov. 28 lecture. The iconic birthday cake will be among the lecture features. (Submitted photo)
“The committee started five years ahead of time and got everyone in the community involved,” said Brown, adding the biggest event was a parade in July that was “huge.”
“There were 40 bands, 50 floats and even the Mummers from Philadelphia,” said Brown.
The 1969 celebration ended with “The Little World’s Fair” at the Westfield Armory which featured a weekend of events that showcased the city’s ethnic diversity.
“I was impressed with the size and complexity of the celebration, as well as the size of the parade,” said Brown.
Brown’s lecture will look at each celebration “from a distance” and share his historical perceptions of the people and the era of each birthday, as well as his impressions of “community” as we enter 2019.
The lecture series continues on Dec. 12 with “Whips of Westfield: The Rise and Decline of an American Industry,” by Bruce Cortis at the Westfield Athenaeum.
The Mummers of Philadelphia were among the many features of the 1969 300th city celebration. (Submitted photo)
Lectures, all slated to begin at 6:30 p.m., also scheduled include:
Jan. 9, “Shay’s Rebellion,” by Dennis Picard at the First Congregational Church.
Jan. 16, “The Canal Greenway from History to Modern Rail Trail,” by Bob Madison at the Westfield Athenaeum.
Jan. 30, “The Solomon Brothers of Westfield in the Civil War & Beyond,” by Bob Madison at the Westfield Athenaeum.
Feb. 13, “Watershed Wanderings Through Time and Space: Westfield River Watershed Association, 65 Years of Service,” by Dr. Aaron Reyes, Dr. Brian Conz, Bill Rose and Mark Damon, in the CURCA Ely Library at Westfield State University.
Feb. 27, “Where the Two Worlds Meet: Native Americans of Western MA,” by Gail White in the Loughman Living Room at Scanlon Hall at Westfield State University.
March 6, “History of the Westfield Normal School,” by Dr. Beth Ann Rothermel, Dr. Mara Dodge, and Walter Fogg, at the Arno Maris Gallery, second floor of Ely Hall, at Westfield State University.
March 13, “One Room Schoolhouses in Westfield,” by Walter Fogg, at the Westfield Athenaeum.
March 27, “Reverend Taylor,” by Walter Powell, at the First Congregational Church.
April 17, “Wayfinding through GPS: Planning Perspectives for the City of Westfield,” by Dr. Dristi Neog, Dr. Robert Bristow, and Billy Hyunh, in the Scanlon Hall banquet room at Westfield State University.
April 24, “How Westfield Became Known as the ‘Baseball Town,'” by Dan Genovese, at the Westfield Athenaeum.
May 3, “Westfield State University Student Showcase,” by Westfield State students in Ely Hall at the university.
May 8, “Things Change: The Lost Homes of Westfield,” by Dr. Robert Brown, at the Westfield Athenaeum.
For more information on the lecture series, visit westfield350.org/lectures.
