USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1961-1965 > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
124
Town Clerk
149
Town Building Survey
45
Town Collector
146
Town Gov't. Adm. Study Com.
47
Town Meeting -
March 13, 1965
78
Town Meeting -
September 20, 1965
90
Tree Warden
65
Trust Funds
144
Veterans' Service
53
Warrant - March 19, 1966 . .
97
Water Department
50
Welfare Department
69
Plumbing Inspector
52
Bonded Indebtedness
142
Building Inspector
45
Cash Disbursements
128
Cash Receipts
125
Civil Defense
40
Conservation Commission
46
Dog Officer
41
Elected Town Officers
70
Electrical Inspector
58
Engineer
64
Estimated Receipts
124
Facts About Wilbraham
2
Finance Committee
110
Fire Commissioners
53
Fire Department
54
Forest Warden
55
Governmental Districts
74
Hampden-Wilbraham Regional
School District
25
Junior High Committee
39
Jury List
76
Legal Debt Margin
143
Animal Inspector
53
Appointed Town Officers
71
Town Services-Telephone Directory
LOCAL EMERGENCY NUMBERS
FIRE DEPARTMENT
TO REPORT A FIRE, CALL AMBULANCE OR OTHER EMERGENCY 6-3111
Station - Boston Road - Fire Permits. . 6-3122
Chief Tupper 6-3014
POLICE
Local Police
6-3837
Chief Leary
6-3376
State Police
283-5671
CIVIL DEFENSE 6-3838
DEPARTMENT
CALL
TELEPHONE
Assessors
Assessors
6-3816
Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates
Town Clerk
6-3816
Board of Health
Selectmen 6-3816
Building Permits
Town Clerk
6-3816
Inspector
6-4885
Charities and Relief
Welfare Department 525-2750
Dog Licenses
Town Clerk
6-3816
Dog Roaming
Assistant Dog Officer
6-3624
Fishing & Hunting Licenses
Town Clerk
6-3816
Forest Warden
Fire Chief
6-3122
Highways
Superintendent
6-3060
Library
Librarian
6-6141
Planning Board
Secretary
6-3816
Rubbish, Garbage Disposal School
Minnechaug
6-6161
School
Pines
543-1501
School
Memorial
6-3465
School
Mile Tree
6-6921
School
Stony Hill
6-4974
School Nurse
Memorial
6-3465
Selective Service System
Local Board No. 84 Main St., Palmer
283-8836
Supt. of Schools
Minnechaug
6-4266
Taxes
Town Collector
6-3816
Town Treasurer
Treasurer
6-3816
Trees
Tree Warden
6-4675
Veterans' Services
Veterans' Agent
525-3305
Visiting Nurse
Visiting Nurse Assoc. Springfield
732-4145
Water Department
Superintendent
6-3816
6-3060
Sundays and Holidays
6-3413
Selectmen
6-3861
Town
of Wilbraham
MASSACHUSETTS
BRAHAM
MA
OF
TOWN
SSACHUSETTS
INCORPORATED
1763
BICENTENNIAL PROGRAM 1763 · 1963
ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING IN PARADE
Police Escort Air Natl. Guard Det. - Colors & Float American Legion, #418 & #236 Admiral & Swabby Float Polish Amer. Vets. Color Guard Naval Reserve Color Guard Ist Naval District Band Parade Chairman Dignitaries Ft. Devens - Army Display Westover 8th Air Force Band U.S.Coast Guard Res. Color Guard Gold Star Mothers Marine Corps Reserve Color Guard Marine Res.Det. & Iwo Jima Float Lexington Minutemen Minnechaug H.S. Band & Colors Chicopee Polish American Band One Hundred Club Friendly Ice Cream Hampden County American Legion Springfield Elks Band Civil Air Patrol Det. Boy Scouts of America Girl Scouts of America Storrowton Music Group & Band Shriners Gilbert Stacy Indian Orchard Accordion Band Lolly Pop Kids St. Cecilia's Church - Altar Boys Jr. Catholic Daughters Assumption D & B Corps Women's Club Boy Scouts Men's Club
Philip Stanger Rice Fruit Farm Tecumseh Tribe No. 20 St. George D & B Corps
Mt.Carmel "Carmelites" Color Guard City of Holyoke - Police Reserve Miss Holyoke Miss Colleen Chamber of Commerce murch of the Epiphany opfld. Technical H.S. Band
- Miss Springfield Uncle Joe & Eddy Group Ten Pin Bowling Alley Eastern Star Marksmen D & B Corps Vagabond D & B Corps Logan Insurance Nr. Fontaine & Mr. Coburn Mr. W. Lamb H. P. Hood & Sons
Town of Monson Band - Selectmen Town of Hampden Town of Palmer Town of Ware
Town of East Longmeadow - Queen Town of Granby Town of Belchertown - Band
Narragansett Beer Wagon Skorupski Brothers Monarch Jr. D & B Corps
Welcome Wagon Father Knickerbocker
Mattatuck Drum Corps Town of Ludlow - Police Board of Selectmen Ludlow H.S. Band Civil Air Patrol Grange Float Lions Club Float
Target D & B Corps
Portuguese Amer. Citizens Club
Portuguese Amer. Ladies Club
Rainbow Girls Float
French Ladies Float
Hook & Ladder Fire Truck 4-H Club Float Polish Womens Alliance Gr.#356
Circus Animals and Clowns
Bennett Turkey Farm Red Cross Bloodmobile Miss Chicopee
Wilbraham Town Crier
Wilbraham C ke Float
Wilbraham Ambulance
Wilbraham Town Float - Queen
Wilbraham Polish Amer. Vets. Float
Wilbraham Polish Amer. Vets.
Wilbraham Sea Scouts
Wilbraham United Church
North Wilbraham Social Club
Wilbraham Grange Wilbraham Democratic Committee Wilbraham Lions Club - Officers Members Floats Wilbraham Country Club Wilbraham Glendale Church
Wilbraham 4-H Club Display
Wilbraham Republican Committee
Wilbraham Center Drug Wilbraham Camera Club Wilbraham Women's Club Wilbraham Rescue Truck Wilbraham Package Store Float
TO SPRINGFIELD
STONYHILL SCHOOL
ST.
5 TONY
H 1 LL
KEY TO SYMBOLS
Private Parking (General Use)
Special ParkING as noted
First Aid Station
MINNECHAUG
6
HIGH SCHOOL
OFFICIALS
ONLY
SCHRADE
GRASSY HOLLOW,
DELMORE
CIR.
PARADE ROUTE
BERSELLI
REVIEW
GRANDSTAND
BROOKS DIGNITARIES ONLY
(START )
MERRILL RÀ.
MEMORIAL SCHOOL
MOUNTAIN RO.
-
ROAD
BOSTON
TINK HAM
SPRINGFIELD
MOHAWK FIELD
FACULTY ST.
TENNIS COURTS POLICE & PRESS
MONSON ROAD
ST.
ROAD
WILBRAHAM MASSACHUSETTS This Program is Compiled By The Citizens Of Wilbraham
As A Part Of The Town's Observance Of The
200th Anniversary
Of Its
Incorporation.
1963
THE PESKY SARPENT
A PATHETIC BALLAD. as sung by Me. Spour
Arranged for the Piano-Forte respectfully dedicated to the
C.B.C's BY THE AUTHOR. BOSTON. Published by VM H. OAKES, &'s Tremont Row
F.ILune del.
Entered according to Act of Congress by takes & Swan in the tle, ka fire of the Distrut Court of Muss
Famed Wilbraham
O, Wilbraham, our Wilbraham, your mountains and your plain, In ages past, with changes vast, you bowed to Nature's reign. On Hunting Hills, by ponds and rills, the red men sought their food,
From boulders soft, they came here oft to carve their dishes rude.
A simple life, so far from strife - Connecticut to sea.
Then white men scale the winding trail - What destiny to be? With frontier zest, with friendliness, they buy the Indian's land,
A princess stayed; her home she made by mountain brooklet's strand.
One settler came, Hitchcock his name, two centuries ago, Good message sends - he's joined by friends - we see a parish grow,
Home, church and school, a wish to rule, and then we have a town,
Two-hundred years, peace, wars and fears; fame - men of great renown.
With loyal heart, we do our part to honor you today,
O, Wilbraham, our Wilbraham, may blessings come your way.
Henry I. Edson
The Author, Mr. Henry Irving Edson, was born in Wilbraham, May 16, 1878.
M , MASSACHUS
R
SET
1763 . W
TS . 1963
C
ENTENN
RATION
IAI
L
A BRIEF STORY OF WILBRAHAM
About 1675 the people of Springfield, who had come from the Massachusetts Bay settlement in the Boston area to the Connecticut Valley in 1636, bought from the Indians the hilly area to the east, and called it the Outward Commons. Some ten years later they divided the land among the "landed proprie- tors" of Springfield, but regarded it as common wilderness until 1731, when Nathaniel Hitchcock and his family came to settle on our present Main Street south of the center village. By 1741 the population numbered some 30 families, and the area now Wilbraham and Hampden (approximately) was estab- lished as the Fourth Precinct of Springfield. The first business after organizing the precinct was the hiring and settlement of the Reverend Noah Merrick as the first minister, which was accomplished on June 14, 1741, - the same day the church was organized. On June 15, 1763, the Fourth Precinct, plus a little more land from Springfield, was "erected into a separate town by the name of Wilbraham", with a population of about 400. The southern part of the town soon developed a desire for its own church in the vicinity of the Scantic river, with the result that on June 11, 1782, the town was divided into two parishes, and present Hampden became the South Parish of Wilbraham . Nearly a hundred years later, on March 28, 1878, the final step in the division of the town was taken by the legislature, and the South Parish became the town of Hampden.
Discarding the practice of their Boston forebears, the settlers of Wilbraham laid out their highways to provide means of conveniently going between objectives, rather than following cowpaths, although this town was essentially agricultural until World War II. Sheep, cattle, fruit and grain were the principal products until poultry, including turkeys, assumed importance about 1930. Following the close of the second World War, agriculture has rapidly disappeared and housing developments have taken its place. Now the town is essentially residential, with farming limited to a dozen or so specialized farms. This trend to residential predominance led inevitably to a serious- minded fire department about 1920, a water system in 1926, a zoning system and planning board beginning in 1928 and matur- ing in 1946, and a police department about 1954.
Industry was limited principally to textiles in the early days, located on the Scantic river and on Twelve Mile brook. Later came the Collins Manufacturing Company (paper) and the Cutler Company (grain processing, driers and gristmills) on the Chicopee river. The Collins paper mill was the largest employ- er.
Education has always been considered seriously in Wil- braham. The meager private schools and frugal public schools were given great impetus by the location of Wesleyan Academy here in 1825. The town has passed through the district school system, and the sending of advanced pupils to the academy and to out-of-town high schools, to a system of three larger schools in which pupils are prepared for the Hampden - Wilbraham Regional high school.
Located somewhere between the country town and big municipal business, the population having nearly doubled in the last ten years to a present 7400, Wilbraham is suffering growing pains and eagerly seeking new industry to help pay the cost of public service and education now borne by farming and residential real estate.
The Spiritual leaders of our town. Seated are Rev. Daniel B. Kunhardt, Vicar of the Church of the Epiphany; Rev. John J. Scanlon, Pastor of St. Cecilia's Church. Standing are Dr. Walter T. James, Minister of the United Church; Rev. Helen Thomas, Minister of Christian Education United Church; Rev. Henry E. Green, Minister of Grace Union Church; and Rev. C. Wendell Smith, Minister of Glendale Methodist Church.
WILBRAHAM CHURCHES
The Town of Wilbraham owes its very existence to the desire of its settlers for a church of their own. Since 1741, services have been held here regularly, and our several churches form the basis of a sound, God-fearing community.
CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
The Church of the Epiphany was organized in 1957. The congregation numbered fifty-six families. With the approval of the Rt. Rev. Robert M. Hatch, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, the first service was held January 26, 1958. The United Church offered the use of its old build- ing, the Parish House, gratis, for the first several months. In 1958 a vicarage was built and The Rev. Daniel B. Kunhardt appointed as the first Vicar.
The congregation has grown steadily and now totals 351
Church of the Epiphany
baptized adults and children. In 1962 construction was started on a twenty acre site on Highland Avenue and the first service was held in a new building on Nov. 27, 1962. The present building is a permanent parish hall, which is used temporarily as a church, with a wing for offices and classrooms. A per- manent church will be added in the future.
GLENDALE METHODIST CHURCH
The Glendale Methodist Church was built in 1868 at a cost of $2,000.00 and was dedicated December 30, 1868. Descend- dents of some of the original trustees are still living in Glen- dale and Wilbraham. Ministers over the years have been shared with the Hampden and Wilbraham churches.
At the present time, the church membership is thirty-three. Several more people are planning to join in the near future. The pastor is Rev. C. Wendell Smith of East Longmeadow. There is an active Sunday School with thirty children enrolled and five teachers. Mrs. John K. Nordin is superintendent. Mrs. Alvin H. Richmond is president of a very active Women's Society for Christian Service. The women are well-known for the strawberry shortcake and chicken pie suppers they serve.
In 1946 the Glendale Methodist Church purchased the old #7 schoolhouse on Glendale Road from the heirs of the Munsell family. The building was modernized, and is in constant use for suppers, Sunday school classes, entertainments, and used
Glendale Methodist Church
by the Hampden County meetings, etc. It is now known as the Glendale Methodist Community House.
One of the traditions of this church is the Memorial Ser- vice held each year on the Sunday preceeding Memorial Day, when members and friends of the two American Legion groups in town attend. After the church service all present go across the road to the cemetery where the names of soldiers from Glen- dale buried here are read; children from the church place flowers on the graves and members of the Legions place flags in the markers. The service ends by the placing of a wreath on the memorial boulder at the corner. The playing of "Taps" is the final tribute.
GRACE UNION CHURCH
Grace Union Church, located on the corner of Mountain Road and Chapel Street, was organized in 1886 as a "Union" church composed of Congregationalists, Baptists and Method- ists. The church assumed regular Congregational affiliation in May of 1890, and it became a part of the United Church of Christ in 1960.
Grace Union Church has been blessed with steady growth ensured by the loyal support of men and women of the church together with wise leadership. Now, as the Town of Wilbraham embarks upon its bicentennial anniversary, the church has be- gun another phase in remodeling and enhancing its facilities.
Grace Union Church
-
It is of interest to note its membership at present includes persons representing eight different denominational back- grounds.
ST. CECILIA'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
The first St. Cecilia's Church was a frame building con- structed in 1891 near the intersection of Main and Maple Streets, North Wilbraham. For sixty years this building served as a mission church under the supervision of St. Thomas Parish of the Town of Palmer.
On June 20, 1951, St. Cecilia's became a separate parish and the Reverend Fr. John J. Scanlon was appointed its first Pastor. Under his leadership the new parish attained a phenom- enal growth. On November 22, 1958, the new Church of St. Cecilia, complete with a chapel and a modern social center, was dedicated by The Most Reverend Christopher J. Weldon. Bishop of The Diocese of Springfield.
In less than twelve years the parish has grown from 700 to 2000 parishioners. Active Church-sponsored groups include the Catholic Men's Club; the Catholic Women's Club; the Catholic Junior Daughters of America; a Boy Scout Troop; Men's, Women's, and Children's Choirs; and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Each Saturday the Sisters of St. Joseph hold catechetical classes for 500 children.
St. Cecilia's Catholic Women's Club was organized in 1952, and has grown from a few women to a membership over 300. The Club fosters religious and social unity among the
-- -
St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church
women of St. Cecilia's parish. Its spiritual objectives are affirmed each year by a Communion breakfast attended by all members.
The Club has brought to its monthly meetings many notables from all walks of life. Guest speakers have covered a wide range of spiritual, recreational, literary, fashion, art, and travel subjects. One of the principal events that the Club feat- ures annually is the Christmas Bazaar which draws many visitors.
St. Cecilia's Catholic Men's Club was founded in 1951. The Club's four-fold purpose seeks to enrich the spiritual life of the parish, build a sports program, sponsor social functions for members, and provide financial assistance to the Pastor for parish projects. Monthly dinner meetings are held.
In 1951 Fr. Scanlon recommended that the Club sponsor various sports activities for all Wilbraham boys. With the help of a town-wide, non-sectarian committee the Baseball and Basketball League were greatly expanded. 400 boys are enroll- ed in a baseball program and 150 boys in the basketball league with sixty men assisting.
THE WILBRAHAM UNITED CHURCH
The Wilbraham United Church goes back to the formation of the "Fourth Precinct" or Parish of Springfield, January 4,
.. .
--
The Wilbraham United Church
1741. The first minister was The Rev. Noah Merrick and there were eight members. From this original Congregational church a Methodist group split off in 1791. Circuit riding Bishop Francis Asbury was a famous early visitor. These two groups reunited in 1911. Today this federation of Churches is the second oldest and has the largest membership of any such group in the state of Massachusetts.
New Church and educational buildings were dedicated in 1958, seventh in a series of Church homes ranging from the old Meeting House on Wigwam Hill to the present Academy Chapel. A broad program of organizations and activities, including a large Church School, serves a constituency of more than 1500 adults and children each day of the week. Dr. Walter T. James has been pastor since 1954.
Through monthly meetings the Mothers' Club provides opportunities for Christian fellowship and service to Church, community, and the world to mothers of pre-school children. A Sunday nursery helps young couples attend church services. A Vietnamese girl receives financial support. The "Apple Blossom Tour of Homes" and the "Holly Ball" are annual events. Members helped with the 1962 cookbook, “Favorite Recipes from Wilbraham Kitchens". Each year speakers cover a wide range of topics.
Minnechaug Regional High School
WILBRAHAM SCHOOLS
Over the years, Wilbraham citizens have established an educational standard to be proud of. It has been due to the fore- sight of the Wilbraham school committee and the citizens them- selves. The Town has never known a serious problem or deficiency in the school system. By taking the number of births each year, the school committees has been able to predict the educational needs of the future and work toward fulfilling them.
PINES SCHOOL
In 1932 Pines School in North Wilbraham made its debut as a small school needing only to meet the needs of a few children. But since that day, residents of Wilbraham have seen the number of prospective students accelerate geometrically. After its construction in 1932, Pines school was apparently unable to keep up service to its expanding student population. In 1953 an addition of the Auditorium-cafeteria-gymnasium was made along with locker space and storage space. In 1962, twelve classrooms were added which should provide adequately for the northwest section of Town for several years to come.
MEMORIAL SCHOOL
In 1948 plans were suggested and approved for the Memorial School to be built on Main Street. Memorial has proved to be very efficient since its construction in 1950, and the addition of seven classrooms in 1953 made it one of the finest schools in the area. It was necessary to enlarge the kitchen, and modify the combination auditorium-cafeteria in 1961. The School's conservative, yet modern designing makes it one of the most attractive in Massachusetts.
STONY HILL SCHOOL
Stony Hill School was built in 1956 to accommodate the rising number of grade school students. Immediately upon open- ing, it was realized that another wave of children was coming, so an addition was planned and opened in 1958. This school now offers primary experience unparalleled in a wide area.
MINNECHAUG REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
By far the most industrious of the school building projects was spurred when Springfield announced its forthcoming refusal to accept tuition students from outlying districts. Hampden and Wilbraham realized the need for a high school and regional school (one catering to two or more townships) seemed to be the most efficient and economical solution. The regional school was voted on October 20, 1956 and opened in September 1959. Since its establishment, Minnechaug Regional School
Memorial High School
-
1
has accomplished outstanding results academically, musically and in sports. It has become one of the "biggest" little high schools in Massachusetts.
But the population of Wilbraham cannot be satisfied. Con- struction on a new elementary school opposite Minnechaug is now underway. By 1965 an addition to the High School will be a must. With continued successful planning, the educational standards of Wilbraham will remain at the high level they have enjoyed for years.
PARENT - TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Our fine Wilbraham School system boasts a superb faculty working arm in arm with the citizens. This has provided a united educational effort. The Parent-Teacher relationship, when strong, often spurs the students on through better under- standing. This also provides the community with benefits it could not otherwise receive.
The independent Pines School P.T.A. consisted of 50 members at its start in 1951. Its aim was to provide rainy day and recreational equipment for the children. Each year the children are treated to a Christmas party, and the Safety patrol to a picnic. Since 1959 it has lent support to a Scholarship Fund. The now 360 members have thought of ingenious fund raising projects such as square dance lessons, candy sales, card parties and many more over the past few years. The children of Pines School are receiving many "extras" that
Pines School
Stony Hill School
make school life even more enjoyable, through the ambitious efforts of the P.T.A.
The Memorial school P.T.A. sponsors a fund drive for their music department and library each year. Memorial P.T.A. also helps to sponsor a Scholarship Fund. This years major project is the sale of the Bi-Centennial Commemorative Plate.
The Stony Hill P.T.A. has, in its short existence, furnish- ed draperies for the auditorium windows - - sponsored cake sales -- sponsored the production of "My Three Angels" by the Wilbraham Community Theatre and has published the Town Directories. Half of the United P.T.A. Scholarship Fund is pro- vided by the Stony Hill P.T.A. One of the favoritesof the school is the Family Night Supper put on by P.T.A. members.
WILBRAHAM ACADEMY
Founded in Newmarket, N. H. in 1817 by the Methodist Church as Wesleyan Academy, the school was among the first to open its doors to students of every color and creed.
In 1824, the Academy was moved to its present location in Wilbraham where it grew and flourished in this historic center of Methodism. Its first principal was Willbur Fisk, who later became first president of Wesleyan University.
In 1908, the name was changed to Wilbraham Academy, and, in 1912 the school, which had hitherto been coeducational, limited its enrollment to boys preparing for college. Also dur-
Rich Hall, Wilbraham Academy
ing this era the close connection with the Methodist Church ceased, and the school became non-demoninational.
From essentially a New England school, Wilbraham Acad- emy has today spread its influence across the land, with alumni residing in every part of the country, and with 275 students from 20 states and 11 foreign countries. Recent add- itions and renovations to the physical plant have resulted in the present spacious and well equipped campus.
WILBRAHAM SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
Cultural and educational opportunities, charity, good will and good fellowship are among the benefits this Town derives from its social and service groups. Their response to any need or emergency is always prompt, unfailing and generous.
WILBRAHAM GRANGE
The Wilbraham Grange is the oldest fraternal organization in Wilbraham. Formed on January 25, 1888, the Grange is cele- brating its Diamond Jubilee concurrently with the Town's bicentennial.
A Main Street Landmark, the Foskit Memorial Grange Hall was donated by Mrs. Lucia Foskit, and was dedicated on February 27, 1901. The hall has been a center for community events down through the years, being the scene of "many spirited town meetings," and being used by three local churches at one time or another.
Originally starting with 30 members, the Grange has
1
TYI
These Grange members, dressed in costumes of the 1890's, blend their voices in harmony at their anniversary event. Left to right are Mrs. Ethel Dunsmoor, Mr. Dunsmoor, Mrs. May Jenkins, Davis Bliss, Mrs. Holton Pease and Mr. Pease.
grown until today it has over 200 members, from ages 14 to 80. Community betterment is the purpose of the Grange: while yesteryear's dues were earmarked for "'oiling the roads", today's money goes towards a project designed to improve roadside mailboxes.
Many important services have been rendered by the Grange: The town's first ambulance was made a reality by the Grange's efforts; a memorial flagpole and plaque to World War II veterans was donated and placed at Memorial School.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.