Sesquicentennial Celebration- October 1933

Springfield Republican
Oct. 13, 1933

During the weekend of October 13th in 1933 many out of town guests joined Longmeadow residents to celebrate Longmeadow's 150th anniversary- the Sesquicentennial! Former residents and descendants of Longmeadow's old families arrived to celebrate this occasion. Many dinner parties took place in homes of residents- especially the evening of October 13th.

Longmeadow Sesquicentennial Official Souvenir- 1933
Title Page

The Longmeadow Sesquicentennial Official Souvenir was the official souvenir booklet for this very special time in the history of Longmeadow. It was edited and published in 1933 by Edgar Holmes Plummer. The booklet contained a wealth of information including a condensed history of Longmeadow, the weekend's schedule, and also the volunteers that made this weekend event possible. 
        
That Friday afternoon a historical pageant was presented to large audiences in the Longmeadow schools. The pageant had four interesting episodes about Longmeadow history and was written by town resident Mrs. Guy D. Miller (of 143 Maple Road). It was presented by students at the Junior High School, Converse Street School, Norway Street School and Center School. The public was cordially invited.

On Saturday, October 14th, a luncheon was served at the Community House for guests that were attending the Sesquicentennial. Mrs. Alexander Sharp (of 22 South Park Avenue) was in charge of this event. She and her committee welcomed many guests.

The Newly Constructed Richard Salter Storrs Library
in 1933
Photograph by The Harts
Longmeadow Sesquicentennial Official Souvenir

Then, in the afternoon at 3 PM the dedication of the new Richard Salter Storrs Library took place outdoors on the library grounds. The special speakers were Storrs Library President Charles H. Bump, former Minister of First Church Rev. Dr. Henry Lincoln Bailey and Rev. John J. Rogers of St. Mary's Church. After the dedication program the guests were invited to step inside the new library to view what this new building had to offer to town residents.

Later that afternoon in the Community House a reception and tea was given by town officials, their wives and members of the anniversary executive committee from 4:30- 6 PM. More than 600 people attended this reception. Some of the special guests included Springfield Mayor Dwight R. Winter, Westfield, MA Mayor Raymond H. Cowing, and State Senator Russell D. Chase of Longmeadow. Another guest Gordon W. Colton (of Brooklyn, NY) was a descendant of Quartermaster George Colton. Rev. Samuel Wolcott's nephew Charles H. Tool (of Amherst, MA) also attended.

That evening there was an anniversary costume ball at the Longmeadow Community House. Mrs. Douglas B. Wesson (of 109 Forest Glen Road) and her committee planned the costume ball. This event was open to Longmeadow residents and their guests with no admission fee. However, anyone wishing to take part in the dancing needed to be in costume. In keeping with the atmosphere, refreshments were served in a room that had been changed to resemble a tap room in a tavern. Old furniture and pewter were used. Cider, coffee, doughnuts and individual squash and pumpkin pies were served. For the Junior High School age group there was a dance at Center School. 

There were so many other activities that weekend to celebrate Longmeadow's 150th anniversary! An organ recital in the First Church was given by Mrs. Dorothy Birchard Mulroney. The Boy Scouts had an encampment on the Town Green and also an awards ceremony.  The Storrs House (home of the Longmeadow Historical Society) was open to visit and a band concert on the Town Green was given by the Lions' Boys' Club Band of Springfield.

On Sunday all of the churches had special Sesquicentennial services. Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Town of Longmeadow was very important to the residents of Longmeadow. This special event took a lot of planning by so many people to make it a memorable event. Husbands and wives both served on committees to make this a celebration one to be remembered by all who attended!              

Other Sources: Springfield Republican- Oct. 13, 1933 and Oct. 15, 1933.  

Written by Judy Moran/ Longmeadow Historian
LongmeadowHistorian.org          

Mrs. Clara Brand- Community House Manager

Mrs. Clara MacDonald Brand
(Mrs. F. Tracy Brand)
The Springfield Union
May 18, 1949

It was in May of 1949 that Mrs. F. Tracy Brand notified the Town of Longmeadow that she would be retiring on July 1st of that year. Mrs. Brand (Clara MacDonald Brand) was the Hostess and Manager of the Longmeadow Community House. She had served in this role for 25 years! 

Longmeadow Community House- 1923
Longmeadow, MA
Emerson Photo
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

It was after her husband F. Tracy Brand passed away in 1923 that Mrs. Brand took on this new position for Longmeadow. Previously, Mrs. Brand had been the secretary of the Longmeadow Community House Association.

1949 Longmeadow Annual Town Report

Clara MacDonald (McDonald) Brand was a native of Maine and she had graduated from Colby College. After graduation she taught school in Bath, Maine. Then she moved to Springfield, MA. Miss MacDonald taught ninth grade at the State Street Elementary School, so she had experience with children and also with the public.

State Street Grammar School- Springfield, MA
Clara B. MacDonald
Teacher- Grade 9
Springfield Daily Republican- June 17, 1906

Then, on April 17, 1907 Miss MacDonald married Frederick Tracy Brand. He also worked in Springfield. Mr. Brand was a Teller at a bank- the Springfield Institution for Savings. Three years later they moved to Longmeadow. Mr. and Mrs. Brand had two sons- Thomas and Alexander.

Her husband died in 1923 and soon after Clara Brand was appointed to the position to become the Hostess and the Manager for the new Longmeadow Community House. There were so many activities to schedule for residents and other guests at this new venue. Early on the very well attended May Breakfast was one of the events that relocated to the Community House.

Springfield Republican
May 1, 1924

The Boy Scouts and the Brownie Scouts scheduled meetings. Dancing classes and community group meetings were held at this location. Special Lectures drew audiences from Longmeadow and also the greater Springfield area. The Community Players presented plays. Meetings of the Red Cross, Woman's Maternal Association and women's groups from all of the churches in town took place in this building. There were so many different activities at the Longmeadow Community House!

Springfield Republican
Sept. 28, 1924

In addition, town primaries, town elections and town meetings were also held here. The Longmeadow Community House was busy.

In 1944 teenagers enjoyed attending the "Jive Junction" Dances. The very popular Saturday afternoon movies began in the autumn of 1945. The average attendance at these movies for young people was 150 elementary and Junior High School students. Mrs. Clara Brand scheduled all of these activities.         

This lady lived in Longmeadow for 55 years. In 1959 she relocated back to Springfield. Clara MacDonald Brand passed away in December of 1962 at the age of 88 years. Both of her sons had married, raised their own families and were living in Springfield. Mrs. Clara Brand had come in contact with so many residents in the Longmeadow area. They remembered talking with her while attending the programs, the meetings and the special events that she scheduled at the Longmeadow Community House when she oversaw all of the events. There were so many wonderful special events held in this building! Longmeadow and area residents had so many long lasting memories.  

Other Sources: Springfield Daily News- May 18, 1949; Springfield Republican- Jan. 6, 1946; Springfield Weekly Republican- Jan. 24, 1924 and The Springfield Union- Dec. 14, 1962.

~Written by Judy Moran