The Westfield 350th anniversary celebration is captured in this book, available for sale at locations throughout the city.
WESTFIELD – Westfield 350 Committee President Harry Rock gave a final gift to the city last week in the form of a photo book.
The 176-page book is essentially a yearbook that includes photographs of nearly every event hosted in celebration of the city’s 350th anniversary in 2019.
“This book arrived exactly a year after we released the history book,” said Rock. “I think of it as a family photo album.”
Rock said from day one when he was asked to lead the volunteer committee, he wanted all 350-related events to have three elements: It would be fun; it would be memorable; and it would be educational.
And, Rock said, all events were geared toward families.
“Everything we did was for children and families,” Rock said. “If it wasn’t for children, we didn’t do it.”
The photo book chronicles everything from the early fundraisers to the creation of the iconic birthday cake to the parade and most recent tree plantings.
“This book captures the essence of who we are as a community,” said Rock.
There is a section of selfies Rock took along the parade route, which he said shows the many different people who came out to the historic event. There is also a section in the book titled “Family Photo Album,” which includes photos taken by photographer Andrea York the day of the breakfast, children’s carnival, concert and fireworks.
“We had 190 families that took part in that photo booth,” Rock said.
Another section shows the people behind the scenes, without whom Rock said nothing would have been accomplished.
“We had hundreds of volunteers,” he said. “It took a village to do this and what a village we had!”
From the Westfield 350 Board of Directors to those who volunteered for specific events, Rock said “without the support of volunteers, it wasn’t going to happen.”
The commemorative photo book is $10 and can be purchased in several places throughout the city. The Westfield 350 Committee donated the books to area nonprofits to sell as a fundraiser. It is available at the Greater Westfield Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA of Greater Westfield, Amelia Park Ice Arena, Amelia Park Children’s Museum, Central Baptist Church, St. John’s Church, the Church of the Atonement, St. Mary’s, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Peter & St. Casimir, Holy Trinity and more.
Books can also be purchased at The Westfield News, Rosewood Home & Gifts, Pilgrim Candle and Louis & Clark Gifts.
The Committee also donated a book to every school in the city as well as the Westfield Athenaeum.
“I wanted this to be a legacy to the city. I wanted it to be a thank you for this phenomenal year, and oh, what a year it was,” said Rock.
