A Winter View From the Past

The Majestic Home of Mrs. Corinne H. Brewer
734 Longmeadow Street
March 2, 1914
Courtesy of
Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

On March 2, 1914 the children who lived in the town of Longmeadow, MA had a "no school" day!  The winter weather was challenging for residents in the Longmeadow/ Springfield, MA area.  The recent snow had accumulated and then it was recorded in the Springfield Republican that 2 inches of rain had fallen in Springfield.  Traveling in the area was very difficult.     

Springfield Republican
March 2, 1914

Students may have had the day off, but the local photographer Mr. Paesiello Emerson braved the icy paths and streets of Longmeadow to record this day for all of us to view 109 years later.  The photo is a beautiful winter scene of Longmeadow Street.  Mrs. Corinne H. Brewer's home is prominently seen on the left.  Her husband Edward S. Brewer had passed away in 1911.  Today, in the 21st century we recognize this majestic home as the Brewer- Young Mansion that proudly sits on our Longmeadow Town Green.  

Glancing a little farther down the street, the home of William B. and Grace Medlicott can be viewed.  They and their family lived at 720 Longmeadow Street.  A few years later this house was sold and in 1921 it was town down.  Another large house was built and still sits farther back on the property. 

On this day in March of 1914 some home owners had already taken the precautions to have a path cleared in front of their homes.  Everyone was waiting and wishing for a change in the weather.

Additional Source: Through the Lens Longmeadow Into the New Century- written by Jim and Judy Moran.

~Written by Judy Moran