The Historical Journal of Massachusetts is writing an article about former mayor Alice D. Burke (1892-1974) for the Westfield 350th Anniversary Book. Alice Burke was the first female mayor in all of New England. She was first elected mayor of Westfield in 1939, and served 4 terms as mayor on-and-off (1939-43, 1953-55, 1957-59). She ran in almost every city election for 30 years and served as a city councilor in the 1960s. We are requesting the assistance of any residents who have knowledge about Alice Burke, her political career, or her legacy in the city of Westfield. If you or anyone you know knew Burke personally or have information about her, please contact Phillip Slater at [email protected] or at 413-977-7043. We would greatly appreciate your help in creating this chapter commemorating Westfield’s history.

The Historical Journal of Massachusetts has been published by Westfield State University since 1972. It is published twice a year, and a subscription is only $12 annually. Each issue is 180 pages. The journal covers all topics and aspects of the Commonwealth’s past, from its Native American heritage, through its colonial and revolutionary roots, to the present. We offer articles about every facet of Massachusetts history, politics, culture, peoples, and ethnic groups. You can find information about us at our website http://www.westfield.ma.edu/historical-journal/. You can also email us for more information at [email protected].