A Christmas Tree at the Turn of the 20th Century

Harry E. Bisco- December 1905
Photo colorized by Longmeadow Historian
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society
(Click photo to enlarge.)

In 1907 the Spencer, MA resident Paesiello Emerson moved to Longmeadow, MA.  Many of us recognize his name.  He was the gentleman who took up the hobby of photography later in his life.  Mr. Emerson took photographs of people, places and objects in Longmeadow, MA- documenting our town at the turn of the 20th century.  

Before moving to Longmeadow, Mr. Emerson enjoyed using his camera and took photos in the town where he lived, Spencer, MA.  The photograph above was taken in Spencer in 1905.  It is very interesting to see a young boy standing next to an early 20th century Christmas tree. We have the opportunity to view decorations on the tree and also gifts that he enjoyed.  Strands of popcorn decorate the tree along with treasured manufactured ornaments and other keepsakes.

The boy is 6 year old Harry Evelith Bisco.  He was born in Spencer, MA in 1899.  Harry's father Leonard was a farmer in Spencer where Harry, his dad and his mom Nellie lived.  

Perhaps this was a Christmas keepsake photo that Mr. and Mrs. Bisco paid Mr. Emerson to take.  Or maybe it was a gift from Mr. Emerson to Harry's parents.  Harry's name (first name misspelled) and the date is written on a sign under the tree.  

This 1905 photograph gives us a wonderful opportunity to view a Christmas tree from 117 years ago!

Paesiello Emerson took another photo also dated December 1905.  It was a photo of the Bisco family.

Bisco Family- December 1905
Photo colorized by Longmeadow Historian
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society
(Click photo enlarge.)

 

This is a beautiful family photo of 3 generations of Harry E. Bisco's family.

Left to Right:
Joel F. Draper (his maternal grandfather), Nellie and Leonard A. Bisco (his parents), Harry sitting in front, Ella and Felix Cassavant (his step- sister and her husband)

Thank you Mr. Emerson for taking these interesting photographs 117 years ago!

Sources:  1899 Spencer, MA Marriage Records, 1899 Spencer, MA Birth Records, Springfield Republican- May 15, 1907, 1880, 1900 and 1910 U.S. Federal Census, 1903-04 Spencer, MA Marriage Records and 1907 Spencer, MA Street Directory.

~Written by Judy Moran            

1923 King Tut Lecture Given at Community House

Egyptologist Arthur Weigall
"at the Temple of Edfu
before 1913"
courtesy of Roger Bragger

It's so interesting to learn about subjects that fascinated residents of Longmeadow and the surrounding communities 100 years ago! One topic of interest to them was the discovery of mummies in Ancient Egypt.  In November of 1922 the British archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered and opened the tomb of King Tut-ankh-Amen (King Tut) in Egypt's "Valley of the Kings" at Thebes.  News traveled and so many people everywhere including the United States were very interested in this discovery!  That included the residents of Western Massachusetts!  

The following year, on December 14, 1923, a lecture was given at the Longmeadow Community House about this discovery!  The British Egyptologist Arthur Weigall captivated his audience with his lecture titled, "Recent Discoveries in Upper Egypt"!  Mr. Weigall had been present when the "inner shrine" of King Tut-ankh-Amen (King Tut) was opened.

Springfield Republican
Dec. 11, 1923
(Click to enlarge.)

Arthur Weigall toured the United States in 1923/1924 giving a lecture tour and sharing information about this discovery. 

Arthur Weigall
Archeologist and Author
former Inspector General of Antiquities
for England

Local residents were very curious and very interested in learning about "King Tut".  Advertisements for this special lecture at the Community House were found in the Springfield Republican newspaper. Tickets for this event cost $1.00 and could be purchased at Steinert's in Springfield, MA and the Longmeadow Drug Stores in Longmeadow. 

Springfield Republican
Dec. 13, 1923

It was an event that so many people attended and enjoyed!  Today in the 21st century, many of us remain curious about the Egyptian Pharoah Tutankhamun.  We are fascinated with Egyptian history and the ancient pyramids and their contents.  We take opportunities whenever possible to visit special exhibits at museums and/ or read articles about "King Tut".  We do have similar interests as the residents of Longmeadow and the surrounding area did- 100 years ago. 

Additional Sources: Springfield Republican-  Dec. 14, 1923.   

~Written by Judy Moran  

Longmeadow on the Internet- 25 Years Later

Longmeadow News article announcing the
official launch of the town website
[click to enlarge]

On this day 25 years ago (December 8, 1997) Longmeadow became one of the first towns in Western Massachusetts to have a presence on the World Wide Web or Internet as it is called today. The town’s web address was www.Longmeadow.org that predates the launches of Facebook, Twitter and the many other social media platforms that are available today. MS Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers were not yet developed so early Internet users employed Netscape, Mosaic and Cello browsers which have since disappeared.

Earlier this year (2022) the Town of Longmeadow decided to move its Internet web address to one better reflecting its current purpose as a town government website ---> www.LongmeadowMA.gov. 

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Here is a little history about the development of the town's website….

In early 1997 Jim Moran, a town resident and member of the town’s Technology Planning Committee organized a group of volunteer town residents including Rick Beale, Jane Berg, Donna L.S. Fisher, Mark Gold and Farida Pomerantz to create the town’s first website. The primary purpose of this original website was to be a “community” website including content ranging from town government announcements, online access to Storrs Library, school lunch menus, links to diverse civic group websites, etc. After many months of effort this volunteer group was able to launch the new town website. Below is a screenshot for the homepage of the new website as it appeared in 1999….

[click image to enlarge]

 

After the new website was launched in late 1997 and interest by the design team waned, self-appointed webmasters Mark Gold and Jim Moran continued to spend thousands of hours updating the website design and content over the next 13 years.  Because of this volunteer effort, cost to the town was estimated to be less than $100/ year for domain name registration and web hosting.  The Longmeadow website-  www.Longmeadow.org became a valuable information resource for the Longmeadow community.

[click article to enlarge]

Below is a screenshot for the homepage of the website as it appeared in early 2010….

[click image to enlarge]

During the early years there were a couple of serious conflicts with Select Board members created by disagreements about what should be considered allowable content on the “town” website. Moran and Gold both had a broad vision of the website as a community resource while some Select Board members wanted it to be much more restricted. At one point the webmasters proposed creating a non-profit organization funded by private donations and run by a board of directors (see newspaper article below).

[click article to enlarge]

By 2010 certain members of the Select Board wanted to impose significant content moderation policies about issues involving the building of the new high school and to remove unapproved postings of other community information.   At this point the webmasters removed the “objectionable” content as well as their support for maintenance of the “town” website.   Over the next 5 years the website quality significantly deteriorated and became much less of an effective town communications resource due to the lack of active support.
 
Below is screen capture of www.Longmeadow.org home page as it appeared in late 2010.

[click image to enlarge]

The new Longmeadow website launched earlier this summer at www.LongmeadowMA.gov is a vast improvement over earlier versions and hopefully it will become a valuable town government and community information resource. Below is screen capture of the new home page in 2022. 

~written by Jim Moran/ town resident and owner of LongmeadowBiz, LLC

Longmeadow Junior High School

Longmeadow Junior High School
Date: April 27, 1923
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society
colorized
(click image to enlarge)

The new Junior High School in Longmeadow, MA opened on September 6, 1922!  This beautiful new school was located on Longmeadow Street across from the Town Green just north of the Center School.  (This building is now part of the current Center School campus.)  After completing the first 6 years of their education, the students were now attending the new Junior High School.  Previously, they all had attended Center School for Grades 7- 9 with the "Shop Work" class taught at Norway Street School.      

1922 Longmeadow Annual Town Report

The Principal of this beautiful new school was Herman H. Brase.  Mr. Brase had this position for 2 years.   

Springfield Daily News
September 5, 1922

After graduating from Longmeadow's Junior High School many students continued their education in Springfield, MA at Central, Commerce or Technical High Schools.

1922 Longmeadow Annual Town Report

The first class to graduate from this school in June 1923 are listed below:

1923 Longmeadow Annual Town Report

The principal, Mr. Brase, left his position when was offered an appointment at the State Normal School in Lowell, MA.  In 1924 Charles M. King became the new Principal.  He had previously been the Principal at Monson Academy in Monson, MA.

Additional Source: 1922 Longmeadow Annual Town Report, Boston Herald (Boston, MA)- Feb. 15, 1958 and Springfield Republican- Sept. 7, 1923. 

~Written by Judy Moran