Memorial Day- May 30, 1922

The Memorial Boulder
Location: Longmeadow, MA Town Green
(click photo to enlarge)

Memorial Day, May 30, 1922, was a very special day!  The Memorial Boulder located on the Town Green in Longmeadow, MA was unveiled and dedicated during the morning ceremony.  The 16 ton granite boulder had been donated to Longmeadow by Mrs. Joseph Wesson with the aid of her son-in-law Flynt Lincoln.  The origin of this large boulder was the Wesson Estate in Palmer, MA.  A bronze plaque on the boulder displayed the names of Longmeadow, MA residents who had served in all wars up to and including WWI.  For more information click here to visit last year's post.

Following a parade earlier that morning, the ceremony on Longmeadow's Town Green was very well attended by town residents, residents of surrounding communities and distinguished guests.  Area American Legion Posts were invited and attended.  During the ceremony the chairman of the Board of Selectman, John G. Maxfield, accepted the Memorial Boulder for the town.  It was unveiled by two children- Thomas Francis Cordis and Sallie Wesson.  There were many special speeches that day.  Maj.Gen. Clarence R. Edwards was the invited special guest who gave the dedication speech. He had been the commander of the 26th (Yankee) Division in France in the "World war" (WWI).

In his speech Maj.Gen. Edwards spoke of the bravery of the men who had served to protect their lands and their families.  He was proud that he was related to one of these men.  That individual was Lieutenant Nathaniel Burt (1711- 1755).  Lieutenant Burt had lost his life at Lake George on Sept. 8, 1755.  His name is the first name inscribed on the Memorial Boulder's bronze plaque.  Following the dedication ceremony on the Town Green everyone walked over to the Longmeadow Cemetery on Williams Street.   There, Maj.Gen. Edwards proudly placed a wreath of white carnations and pink snapdragons on the grave of his maternal ancestor.  

Following this, a procession through the cemetery was led by members of Longmeadow's Albert T. Wood American Legion Post and members of the Longmeadow Historical Society, so other deceased war Veterans could be honored and all of the graves of war Veterans could be decorated.  Attendees walked back to the Town Green for the historical address given by Rev. Henry Lincoln Bailey, former Minister of The First Church in Longmeadow.  

May 30, 1922 was a day that Longmeadow residents and area guests would remember for so many years to come.  Today is the 100th anniversary of that date!  The day the Memorial Boulder on the Longmeadow Town Green was dedicated!

Additional interesting information: Lieutenant Nathaniel Burt's widow, Sarah Chapin Burt was the second wife of Rev. Stephen Williams, Longmeadow's first Minister of The First Church.      

Sources:  Proceedings at the Centennial Celebration- published 1884, Springfield Republican- May 28, 1922 and May 31, 1922 and Through the Lens Longmeadow Into the New Century 1890- 1920 by Judy and Jim Moran.

~Written by Judy Moran                       

Old House on the Green

Courtesy of
Longmeadow Historical Society

Mother's Day has been celebrated for many years in our country!  In our beautiful town of Longmeadow, MA there was a restaurant located on the Town Green where families could enjoy a special dinner on the special day set aside to honor mothers.  The Old House on the Green was located at 797 Longmeadow Street.  George E. and Margaret Adams had purchased the house at this address in 1921 and moved with their family from Springfield, MA.  The house had been built for Justin Colton, ca. 1833 (perhaps earlier).  Justin Colton's granddaughter, Miss Elsie Hatstat and other heirs sold this home to Mr. and Mrs. Adams.

797 Longmeadow Street in 1909
from the Emerson Collection
Longmeadow Historical Society

On October 11, 1940 Mr. and Mrs. Adams opened their home to visitors during specific hours and the next day guests with reservations could enjoy dinner at their establishment.  For many years organizations from surrounding areas enjoyed luncheons and dinners here.  The private home located at 797 Longmeadow Street became a guest house and a tea room.  The name was the Old House on the Green.

Bridal showers, wedding receptions, anniversary parties and annual banquets were celebrated at this charming destination.  Advertisements appeared in our local newspapers.

Source:  Springfield Republican
Sept. 16, 1945

In 1953 advertisements for Mother's Day reservations were found in the Springfield Union newspaper.
                

Source:  Springfield Union
May 3, 1953

The 1950 U.S. Federal Census lists this business that Mr. and Mrs. Adams owned as a "Tea Room".   An undated Luncheon and an undated Dinner menu can be viewed.

(Click to enlarge.)
Menu- undated
Courtesy of Longmeadow Historical Society

In October of 1958 Mr. and Mrs. Adams celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.  During that month and that year they also closed their destination restaurant.  Over the years the Old House on the Green had become a treasured dining experience for so many guests.  That dining destination became a wonderful memory for so many people in our area.

Some additional background information- George Adams did have insight into running a restaurant.  In 1899 his father Leroy Adams and his uncle Edward C. Crosby had purchased the Brooks House in Brattleboro, Vermont.  The Brooks House was well known in the Brattleboro area.  Leroy Adams sold his share of this establishment in 1907 and then spent part of his time in Springfield, MA.  He became the president of The Springfield Flour and Grain Company located on Liberty Street in Springfield, MA.  His son George E. Adams was the secretary and the treasurer of the company.

Sources:  1909 Springfield, MA City Directory; 1920 U.S. Federal Census; 1950 U.S. Federal Census; Springfield Republican-  Feb. 5, 1910; Oct. 31, 1921; Oct. 11, 1940; Springfield Union- Nov. 9, 1958 and Massachusetts Historical Commission- 797 Longmeadow Street written by Peter Santos. 

~Judy Moran