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. 

______________________________

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/ Longmeadow Historian   

Harvest Supper

Nov. 8, 1916
The Springfield Union

In 1916 the Harvest Supper that was sponsored by the May Breakfast Association in Longmeadow, MA was held on Friday evening, November 10th!  This annual event in autumn featured a chicken pie supper and it took place in the Chapel that was located next door to the First Church.  The supper was served from 6 - 8 PM.   In addition to enjoying a delicious dinner, the guests had the opportunity to purchase fruit, vegetables, homemade candy and cakes.

Emerson Photo
Nov. 10, 1916
courtesy of Longmeadow Historical Society

According to a Oct. 25, 1913 Springfield Union newspaper article, some of the seasonal decorations in the Chapel included half husked corn that was hung in a doorway.  Over the doorway many different squash were decorated to resemble fowl.  These decorations continued to be used and can be viewed in the photograph that Paesiello Emerson took on Nov. 10, 1916!

enlarged section of above photo

Many men and women served on committees for this successful event that took place in the Chapel.

Nov. 11, 1916
Springfield Republican

Guests from Longmeadow and the Springfield, MA area enjoyed attending this event that was held before Thanksgiving Day.        

Additional Sources:  Springfield Republican- Nov. 8, 1916           

~Written by Judy Moran

Children's Author Thornton W. Burgess Shared His Knowledge

Springfield Republican
November 7, 1926

In 1926 the children's author Thornton W. Burgess lived in Springfield, MA.  On November 6, 1926 he heard the news that early that morning an owl was perched on a radio aerial at the home of  Dr. and Mrs. James V. W. Boyd.  The home was located at 34 Ellington Street.  Mr. Burgess, "a local naturalist", learned of this very interesting news and arrived on Ellington Street to see for himself.  Perhaps he heard the news from his step-son, Chester P. Johnson or Chester's wife Ruth.  Chester, Ruth and their son Robert lived at 112 Benedict Terrace in Longmeadow.  

When Mr. Burgess first heard the news he had believed that the owl would be a Horned Owl.  That was what he believed until he saw the large bird.  An estimation was given of the owl's size.  Two feet in height as it was perched up high and the distance from wing tip to wing tip was 60 inches.  

It was a Great Northern Snowy Owl.  The home for these owls was Labrador, not Massachusetts.  For 3 hours the owl was perched up high with spectators watching below.  Suddenly, the owl flew to a nearby rooftop and watched the scene below for another half hour.  Then, it flew away.

Mr. Burgess eagerly shared his beliefs as to why this owl had ventured to Western Massachusetts.  Food such as fish may have become scarce, so it flew south.  The Great Northern Snowy Owl could see during the day and also at night, so hunting for food could be done anytime here in Western Massachusetts.  Rabbits, squirrels and ducks could become food for it.  

Thornton W. Burgess was well known in the area and throughout the country as the author of children's stories and books.  His stories were about animals and birds.  The short stories were published in newspapers across the country under the title  "Burgess Bedtime Story".  Whitey the Owl was one of the characters in his stories.                         

The Atlanta Journal
March 1, 1927

Mr. Burgess was born in Sandwich, MA in 1874.  His father had died when he was an infant.  He married Nina Osborne in 1905 and she died when their son Thornton was born in 1906.  Mr. Burgess worked for the Phelps Publishing Co. (in Springfield, MA) on the Good Housekeeping Magazine.  He began writing stories for his son about the Green Forest and about the Green Meadows.  These stories are in his first book, Old Mother West Wind.  

The author remarried in 1911.  Thornton and Fannie Burgess lived in Springfield.  In 1912 Thornton Burgess began writing children's stories for newspapers.  The first story that was printed in the Springfield Republican appeared on Feb. 17, 1920.

Springfield Republican
Feb 16, 1920

Mr. Burgess purchased Laughing Brook in Hampden, MA as a summer home in 1928 and later turned it into a year round home.  He died at the age of  91 after publishing so many daily stories for children including 70 children's books.

Laughing Brook is a familiar name and a familiar location in Hampden, MA to many area residents.  Many children have enjoyed expanding their knowledge about nature while attending camp during the summer at this beautiful Massachusetts Audubon Society education center and wildlife sacnctuary.       

Additional Sources:  Springfield Republican- June 6, 1965; Watertown Daily Times- May 19, 1928 and
Union-News- Jan. 14, 1988

~Written by Judy Moran      

Longmeadow Celebrated 150th Anniversary in 1933

Source: Springfield Republican
Sept. 10, 1933

In 1933 the town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts celebrated its 150th anniversary!  The Sesquicentennial was a 3 day event held from October 13th to October 15th.  Those 3 days brought many former residents back to visit Longmeadow and to enjoy the celebrations.  There were town residents who opened their homes for their guests who were family members and friends, so all could enjoy the celebration.  Longmeadow was the first town in MA that was incorporated after the Revolutionary War. 

A souvenir book was published to commemorate this anniversary of Longmeadow.  It was edited and published in 1933 by Edgar Holmes Plummer.

Click the link below to view inside this book.  

Longmeadow Sesquicentennial Official Souvenir:  150th Anniversary of the Founding of the Town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts         

In this book the program for the 3 day event was published.

Click to enlarge and view.

There were many events that took place that weekend!  Of special interest was the dedication of the Richard Salter Storrs Library on Saturday, October 14, 1933.  Later that Saturday evening there was a Colonial Ball that was held at the Community House. 

Source:
Oct. 15, 1933
Springfield Republican

During that weekend the Community House was the location for a Historical Meeting, a Luncheon, a Tea and a Ball.  This 3 day celebration included activities for young people and for older people.  It was the 150th Anniversary of the Town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts and it was celebrated!

~Written by Judy Moran      

The Longmeadow Community House Opens in 1922

The Longmeadow Community House
1923 Photo from the Emerson Collection
courtesy of Longmeadow Historical Society

It was 100 years ago today!  On October 9, 1922 the first big event took place in the Longmeadow Community House.  The Community House was a new beautiful building conveniently located on the corner of Longmeadow Street and Williams Street and was built to be used by all members of the community. 

The chapel that was owned by First Church was used for many events large and small including Town Meetings and the May Breakfast.  It began to need repairs and the town and the church needed a meeting hall. Longtime town resident Miss Emerett Colton (1833- 1917) of 1124 Longmeadow Street had bequested monies to First Church.  The sum she left in addition to funds raised by town residents were used to build the Longmeadow Community House.  Miss Colton was born in the family home on Longmeadow Street and was a descendent of Quartermaster George Colton, one of the first residents of Longmeadow. 

Miss Emerett Colton
Date:  1914
Source:  Wood Museum of Springfield History
at the Springfield Museums
Springfield, MA

The architects Smith & Bassett of Hartford, CT were hired. E. J. Pinney of Springfield, MA was the contractor.  The First Church parish property on the corner of Longmeadow Street and Williams Street was selected for the location.  The Parsonage was located in this area, so this plan required buildings to be moved.  Capt. Simon B. Parker's house (at 777 Longmeadow Street) that was located just south of the First Church and the Chapel was moved to Williams Street, so the Parsonage could be relocated to this spot- just south of the First Church and the Chapel.  

Building of the Community House began in October of 1921.

Entrance to the Community House

It was not until September of 1922 that plans were in place with moving timbers ready- to transport the Chapel behind First Church to get it to its new location on Williams Street.  The new location was behind the new Community House.   

The Community House is a colonial style building with a main entrance and two smaller ones- one on each side.  After entering the building using the main entrance the ticket offices were located on each side. 500- 600 people could be seated in the auditorium on the main floor.  More people could be seated in the balcony.  The stage could be used for events.  The manager's office, the coat rooms and the kitchen were easily accessible.                                

On Monday evening, October 9, 1922, residents of Longmeadow and also surrounding communities including Springfield attended the Opening Night performance at this new venue.  Ruth Cramer and Marian Whitman (both of New York City) performed "Play Dance".  The next day the Springfield Daily News described the event as an elaborate program.  The two women presented artistic dancing with Mrs. Elwood Jackson accompanying them on the piano.  Ruth Cramer and Mrs. Jackson's daughter, Janet Jackson, had developed this style of entertainment a few years earlier.  

Another large event at this new beautiful venue featured the well known author and playwright of the time, Joseph C. Lincoln.  Mr. Lincoln was born in Brewster, MA and spent many years on the Cape.  He wrote about Cape Cod, because he was very familiar with and also very interested in this area of the United States.  In his presentation on November 6, 1922 Mr. Lincoln told comical stories and read some of his poems and other interesting tidbits from some of the 23 novels that he had written by this time.  The lecture was titled "Cape Cod Talks".  It was one of three lectures that he gave in the United States in 1922.

Many organizations held their meetings in this new building.  Picture shows (movies) were viewed and dances were held here in addition to Town Meetings and elections.  It was a building to be used by all members of the community and it was.  The Longmeadow Community House was owned by First Church and was leased to the Town of Longmeadow.  At the December 17, 1926 Longmeadow, MA Special Town Meeting the townspeople voted unanimously to purchase the Community House from First Church for $62,500. 

To this present day- whenever you enter the Longmeadow Community House, walk down the hall to the right.  Just before entering the auditorium look at the wall on the left side.  There is a plaque honoring Miss Emerett Colton who bequested the funds that began the process to build this beautiful large building that we still use today. 

Plaque inside the Longmeadow Community House
honoring Miss Emerett Colton

This stately building that opened in 1922 has been a place for all members of the community.  Over the years anyone who has lived in Longmeadow has walked up the front steps, opened the door and walked inside this building to conduct business here.  Sometimes, it has been to vote in an election, sometimes to register their children for swimming lessons or get (family) pool passes and sometimes to attend meetings.  It is the Community House.         

Sources:  1915 Longmeadow Street Directory;  Springfield Republican- 20 Jan 1917, 9 Sep 1922, 8 Oct 1922, 7 Nov 1922, 18 Dec 1926 and 1926 Longmeadow, MA Annual Town Report.   

~Written by Judy Moran/ Longmeadow Historian