The Westborough Center is open to the public during the normal hours of the Westborough Public Library. The Local History Librarian is generally available M, W, Th from 9am to 1pm, and can be contacted at avaver@cwmars.org or 508-871-5284 (appointments are encouraged).

What’s NEW?

  • See the new exhibit, “State Reform School for Boys, 1848-1884” curated by Jon Maynard, who has colorized black-and-white photographs from the State Reform School so that, in his own words, “we get to see more of the humanity of those who lived and worked at the school.” The exhibit is in the display case in front of the Westborough Center.
  • Two important collections have been fully digitized and are not available in the Westborough Digital Repository: Historical Photographs and Historical Postcards. Together, they comprise over 2,100 historical images of Westborough that are now available online.
  • “A Meeting of Two Cultures: Native Americans and Early European Settlers in Westborough” – Read the Westborough History Connections series that examines the context for the meeting of two different cultures, Native American and European, and its consequences for Westborough and its surrounding area.
  • Westborough Center Pastimes – Read the latest newsletter from the Westborough Center.

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Regular Programming and Services

  • Westborough Archive – Explore and discover Westborough’s deep local history resources and collections, many of which are available online. Research guides to local history collections are also available.
  • Westborough History Connections – How does Westborough connect to regional, national, and international historical trends? Periodically, we will focus on a specific topic and design programs to help us figure out this question together. Past topics include: “How does history connect Westborough and India?” and “The Fight for Women’s Suffrage in Westborough.”
  • Architectural Walking Tours – Learn about the houses and buildings in various Westborough neighborhoods.
  • Photographer-in-Residence Program – Learn more about this program that is designed to document life and culture in Westborough.
  • The Ebenezer Parkman Project – Rev. Ebenezer Parkman was Westborough’s first minister, and throughout his life he kept a detailed diary, which is now considered to be one of the best resources for understanding daily life in colonial New England. This website brings together his diary and other writings.

The Westborough Center for History and Culture also offers research support for Westborough local history and genealogy, local history programs coordinated with the Westborough Public Schools, and volunteer and internship opportunities.

Do you have an idea for a program or cultural event that will enhance the understanding of our community? Do you have a historical or cultural item related to Westborough that you would like to donate or would like us to digitize and add to our digital collections? Stop by or contact Anthony Vaver (Local History Librarian) at 508-871-5284 or email avaver@cwmars.org.