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?
- “A Meeting of Two Cultures: Native Americans and Early European Settlers in Westborough” – Read the new Westborough History Connections series that examines the context for this meeting of two different cultures, Native American and European, and its consequences for Westborough and its surrounding area. Also see Native American Resources in the Westborough Public Library, the new research guide to accompany this series.
- New Mini-Exhibit: The Bay State Abrasives Company – Check out the new exhibit in the display case outside of the Westborough Center on the history of the Bay State Abrasives Company, which used to be located where the Bay State Commons is today.
- Architectural/Cultural Walking Tour #2: Archaeological Primer; Westborough’s Pre-History – This second part of this walking tour series co-sponsored by the Westborough Center is now available online. In this episode, learn about Westborough’s pre-history and the importance of Cedar Swamp.
- 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.