Northbridge Historical Society

Northbridge Historical Society The Northbridge Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Northbridge.

06/02/2024

Speaker Series – Old House Do’s and Don’ts

Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 6th, at 6:30 PM at the Northbridge Memorial Town Hall. Seating is limited, so register now at [email protected]!

The Northbridge Historical Society cordially invites you to our Speaker Series Presentation, “Old House Do’s and Don’ts.” We welcome Rachel Farago, Preservation Services Manager for Central New England at Historic New England. Rachel received her graduate degree in Historic Preservation from Boston University and will offer tips, insight, and suggestions for your old home regardless of age. Thoughtful, informed repairs and alterations can preserve its historical and architectural character while updating it for present-day living. Enjoy an illustrated lecture and learn what to think about when considering changes, including updating and expansion, improving energy efficiency, and working with your home’s best features to enhance curb appeal. Questions are encouraged. We greatly appreciate the grant from the Northbridge Cultural Council, which allows us to offer this presentation to you at no cost. Donations are always welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

04/26/2024

The 1770 Colonel James Fletcher Homestead is recognized in the National and State historical databases for its historical, architectural, and cultural importance. It is one of two remaining homes from that era. It is the birthplace of not only Betsey Fletcher, who married Fletcher’s apprentice, Colonel Paul Whitin, but also the Industrial Revolution as Fletcher built the Fletcher Forge, later becoming Whitin Machine Works (now Alternatives), giving rise to Whitinsville. The home is located at what is the gateway to the Whitinsville Downtown Crossing Historic District. Thanks to the adoption of the CPA, funding is available for historic preservation. This year, Article 11 asks that the voters approve a portion of these funds to conduct an architectural and structural analysis of the Homestead. This study is necessary to apply for matching grants and to renovate and restore. The article also seeks funding for the replacement of a 40-year-old burner. The current occupants and owners, the Northbridge Historical Society, replaced the tank last year. The Community Preservation Committee, the Northbridge Historical Commission, and the Northbridge Historical Society unanimously support this article. If you would like to learn more about the history of the Homestead and its occupants or Article 11, come to an open house on Saturday, May 4, from 10 AM to 1 PM or tune in to Around the Town cable access channels 191/194 on Thursday, May 2, at 7 PM. An FAQ will also be distributed at the Town Meeting on May 7. The warrant is available at the Town Hall, and the warrant and CPC bylaws are posted on Northbridge’s website.

04/19/2024

HISTORICAL TROLLEY TOUR OF NORTHBRIDGE
Saturday, May 18, 2024

Don’t Miss Ken Warchol’s Final Historic Trolley Tour of Whitinsville

The Northbridge Historical Commission, in partnership with the Northbridge Historical Society, is pleased to offer its popular Historical Trolley Tour of Northbridge on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Three tour times are available: 9 AM, 11 AM, or 1 PM, and space is limited. This tour is extra special as it will roll for the last time with Ken Warchol as narrator and guide.

Northbridge historian, teacher, and long-time chairperson of the Northbridge Historical Commission, Ken Warchol, will guide you on a leisurely 2-hour trolley tour of Northbridge Center and The Historic District of Whitinsville. Ken began providing historic tours of his hometown in 1977 and has since celebrated and shared Northbridge's history with countless students and community members of all ages. Riders will learn about the vital role Northbridge played in the Industrial Revolution and its growth from a village to a thriving industrial global center under the direction of the entrepreneurial spirit and engineering prominence of the Whitin family. From humble beginnings at the Fletcher Forge to the establishment and growth of Whitin Machine Works into the 1920s, Whitin Machine Shop became the world's most prominent textile machine shop. The tour includes aspects of village life and explores the architectural skeletons and landmarks that remind us of a bygone era. The tour begins at the 1770 Colonel James Fletcher Homestead, the former home to James Fletcher, founder of the Fletcher Forge, and now the home of the Northbridge Historical Society. It continues with a stop at the Town Hall and on to more historical places and scenic views.

There is no charge for the tour, thanks to a generous donation from Unibank. Seating is by registration only, and tours fill up quickly. To request seat(s), email [email protected]. Include your contact info, number of seats requested, and preferred tour time (not guaranteed). You will receive a confirmation email with details.

07/25/2023

Welcome to our new page. Upcoming events and activities will be posted on our page so check back often for information.

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1 Elm Place
Whitinsville, MA
01588

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