One hundred years ago our Thanksgiving holiday was celebrated on Thursday, November 29, 1923! That Thursday was the last Thursday in November. At that time period the holiday was celebrated on the last Thursday of the month of November.
The formula for the holiday celebration was changed on December 26, 1941 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the resolution to have our national holiday of Thanksgiving celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November- as we know it today. It had been passed by Congress.
Residents of Longmeadow celebrated Thanksgiving much as we do today. Some families enjoyed the holiday in their homes and invited relatives to join them. Other families traveled to other locations near and far. Some visited relatives and other town residents attended college football games. One hundred years ago Longmeadow residents Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Broadwell and Mr. and Mrs. Donald Munroe entertained guests in their home.
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| Springfield Republican Nov. 25, 1923 |
By reading the news of Longmeadow, MA in our local Springfield, MA newspaper we can learn more about the families that lived in town 100 years ago.
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| Springfield Republican Nov. 25, 1923 (Click image to enlarge.) |
For those families who chose to dine at home, there was good news about the price of turkeys that year! This news was on the front page of the Springfield Republican in Springfield, MA!
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| Springfield Republican Nov. 18, 1923 |
A recipe (years ago it was called a receipt) for Pumpkin Pie was published for cooks/ bakers who did not already have a great tasting pie recipe or for those cooks/ bakers who wanted to try a new one.
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| Springfield Republican Nov. 27, 1923 |
Longmeadow residents who were roasting a turkey at home could purchase the ingredients locally- at stores in town. According to the 1923 Longmeadow Directory residents did not need to travel far.
Perhaps the local Breeder Longmeadow Farm Co on Meadow Road sold turkeys to residents to enjoy on this national holiday.
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| 1923 Longmeadow Directory | |
In 1923 there were local grocery stores in town. Many choices of where to shop for ingredients were a short distance from home.
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| 1923 Longmeadow Directory |
There were also local Meat Markets.
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| 1923 Longmeadow Directory |
Newspaper ads were published that contained ingredients for the holiday dinner along with the prices of the ingredients. It gives us an idea of the cost of the items. Stores may not have charged exactly the same price. The Springfield Public Market was located at 373- 375 Main Street in Springfield, MA.
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| Springfield Republican Nov. 27, 1923 (click to enlarge) |
It was also possible to dine out at restaurants on this national holiday. In Springfield, MA there were restaurants advertising their special Thanksgiving dinners and also the price of the dinner. At The Highland Hotel there were two seatings 12:30 to 3:30 and also 6 to 9.
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| Springfield Republican Nov. 28, 1923 |
The Canton Restaurant on Worthington Street was another option.
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| Springfield Republican Nov. 28, 1923 |
Thanksgiving Day was celebrated by the residents of Longmeadow, MA much as we celebrate this national holiday today. Some people cooked at home for their family/ friends, other people visited families/ friends in their homes and others dined out at restaurants. It was a day when everyone stopped their daily activities and were thankful for what they had or would have in the future.
Additional Source: National Archives
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Written by Judy Moran
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