Leominster Historical Commission

06/14/2026

Indian Motorcycle ca. 1912
From the Leominster Historical Commission Archives

Recently digitized from an original Percy Johnson glass plate negative, this remarkable photograph captures a young man posing proudly with his Indian motorcycle, believed to date to the early 1910s.

Manufactured in Springfield, Massachusetts, by the Hendee Manufacturing Company, Indian motorcycles were among the most respected and recognizable machines of their era, helping to usher in the age of motorized transportation. A motorcycle such as this may have cost approximately $200 to $300 when new, a considerable investment at the time. Today, surviving examples from this period are highly sought after by collectors and can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, with some rare models exceeding $100,000 at auction.

More than a century later, Percy Johnson's photographs continue to preserve the people, technology, and everyday moments that helped shape Leominster's history.

Percy Johnson Collection
Digitized and preserved by Ron Girouard for the Leominster Historical Commission Archives

06/14/2026

A Day Along the Lancaster Street Trolley Line Through Percy Johnson's Lens

Taking a short break from organizing and scanning the Henry St. Cyr Collection, I came across this fascinating glass plate negative from the Percy Johnson Collection. Images like this are a reminder of just how much effort went into photography more than a century ago.
Unlike today's lightweight digital cameras, photographers such as Percy Johnson worked with large cameras that used fragile glass plate negatives. Every photograph required careful preparation, transportation, and handling. The cameras themselves were bulky, the glass plates were heavy and easily broken, and the wooden tripods used to support the equipment were anything but lightweight. Imagine carrying all of that gear to a location, setting it up, composing the image, exposing the plate, and then safely transporting the negative back for development without damaging it. This photograph, along with many other remarkable images from the Historical Commission's archives, is currently being considered for inclusion in my upcoming book, Changing Times: Beyond the Past to Present, Volume 2. As I often say, every photograph tells a story, and every story helps preserve a piece of Leominster's history.

What makes this photograph especially interesting is that it not only documents the trolley and railroad crossing, but also captures everyday life unfolding around it. More than a century later, these glass negatives continue to provide an incredible window into Leominster's past.

Photograph by Percy Johnson
Courtesy of the Leominster Historical Commission
Digitized and restored by Ron Girouard

06/14/2026

June 14, 1860- Charter was granted to Wilder Lodge F. and A. M.

06/13/2026

What Can an Obituary Teach Us?

One of the things I enjoy about researching local history is that some of the most valuable information doesn't come from history books—it comes from obituaries.

This obituary of Henry F. Sawtelle, Leominster's first mayor, tells us far more than the date of his passing. In just a few columns, we learn about his business interests, political career, civic involvement, family history, community service, and the role he played in shaping Leominster during its transition from a town to a city in 1915.

Obituaries are often overlooked as historical resources, but they can provide:
• Family connections and genealogy
• Business and professional accomplishments
• Civic and political involvement
• Memberships in local organizations
• Details about a person's impact on the community
• Insights into the time period in which they lived

For historians and family researchers, an obituary can sometimes reveal details that are difficult to find anywhere else.

Henry F. Sawtelle served as Leominster's first mayor and remained one of the city's most influential figures for many years. Reading his obituary offers a fascinating glimpse into both the man and the community he helped shape.

Have you ever discovered something surprising about a family member or local figure through an old obituary?

Courtesy of the Leominster Historical Commission.
Shared by Ron Girouard.

06/13/2026

1915 – Leominster's 175th Anniversary Celebration
Courtesy of the Leominster Historical Commission

This remarkable panoramic photograph, taken in July 1915, is one of the most impressive images I have come across in our archives. The photograph was produced by the F. Falk Photo Company of Boston (161 Washington Street), a firm that appears to have specialized in documenting large public gatherings and significant events.

The image is identified as "175th Anniversary, Town of Leominster, July 4th, 1915." The year is especially significant because 1915 marked both Leominster's 175th anniversary and its transition from a town form of government to a city. During that same year, Leominster adopted a city charter and elected Henry F. Sawtelle as its first mayor, marking a major milestone in the community's history. While additional research is needed to determine exactly what is taking place on the platform, it is possible that this gathering was connected to one or more of these historic events.

What immediately stands out is the sheer size of the crowd. Thousands of people appear to have gathered on the Common, filling nearly every visible space. Looking closely, you can see how differently people dressed over a century ago. Nearly every man is wearing a hat, while many women are dressed in their finest attire, reflecting the importance of the occasion.

The panoramic format itself is fascinating. Long before digital photography, photographers often used specialized panoramic cameras to capture enormous scenes like this in a single image. The level of detail preserved in this photograph is extraordinary, allowing us to study faces, clothing, architecture, and community life from more than 110 years ago.

I don't recall seeing this photograph before, making it a particularly exciting discovery in our collection. It offers a rare glimpse into a pivotal year when Leominster celebrated its past while preparing for its future as a city.

Does anyone know more about this event or recognize what was taking place on the platform? I'd love to hear your thoughts and any family stories that may have been passed down through the generations.

Photograph: F. Falk Photo Company, Boston
From the collections of the Leominster Historical Commission
Digitized and shared by Ron Girouard

06/13/2026

Today in Leominster History – June 13, 1937

According to research compiled by local historian Mike Kerrigan, the final burial at Pine Grove Cemetery took place on this day in 1937 when noted Leominster historian Emma Moore was laid to rest there.

Moore dedicated much of her life to preserving Leominster's history, making it especially fitting that she became part of the very history she helped document.

Disclaimer: Information is based on available historical research and may be subject to further verification.

📸 Pine Grove Cemetery photographed by Ron Girouard, 2026.

06/13/2026

Boy Scouts of America – 1946 (Date believed to be 1946)

What an incredible photograph from Leominster's past. This large group portrait shows dozens of Boy Scouts gathered with their leaders for what appears to have been a special event or gathering. The exact location is currently unknown, but the image offers a fascinating glimpse into Scouting in the years following World War II.

As I continue digitizing the Henry St. Cyr Collection, I can't help but appreciate the work that went into capturing photographs like this. Henry likely used a simple Brownie-style camera and somehow managed to organize and photograph such a large group, preserving a moment in time that otherwise might have been lost forever. Today, nearly 80 years later, we're still able to look back and see the faces of these young men and community leaders.

Do you recognize anyone in this photograph? Perhaps a family member, neighbor, Scout leader, or even yourself? Feel free to share names, memories, or any information that might help identify the people or location.

Date believed to be 1946. Identification and date are based on available archival information and may be subject to further research and verification.

📷 Photograph by Henry St. Cyr
🖥️ Digitized by Ron Girouard
Courtesy of the Leominster Historical Commission

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

Today in Leominster History – June 12, 1937
Barrett Park Opens for the Summer Season!

On this day in 1937, Mayor Harold W. Burdett and Parks Superintendent Frederick Perry officially opened Barrett Park for the summer season, welcoming residents to one of Leominster's most beloved recreational destinations.

For generations, Barrett Park has been a place for swimming, skating, picnics, family gatherings, and making lasting memories. The park continues to be an important part of Leominster's history and community life.
Pictured is Barrett Park today alongside a historic view of Barrett Pond during the winter skating season.

Historic photograph by Henry St. Cyr. Digitized by Ron Girouard. Courtesy of the Leominster Historical Commission Archives.
What are your fondest memories of Barrett Park? Share them in the comments below.

06/11/2026

Throwback Thursday from the Leominster Historical Commission Archives. Salvation Army Representatives in Leominster ca 1957

For this week's Throwback Thursday, we're sharing a photograph taken on June 24, 1957, showing two women standing beside a Salvation Army display in Leominster. While their identities are currently unknown, the image offers a wonderful glimpse into community service and charitable outreach nearly 70 years ago.
One of the most interesting details in the photograph is the wall-mounted telephone visible behind the women. In 1957, a telephone like this was an important means of communication for organizations and families alike. Today, most of us carry powerful mobile phones in our pockets, making this vintage telephone a reminder of just how much technology has changed over the decades.

Photographs such as this help preserve not only the people and organizations that served our community, but also the everyday objects and details that tell the story of life in another era.
Do you recognize either of these women, or remember Salvation Army activities in Leominster during the 1950s? We'd love to hear your memories and help identify the individuals in this photograph
Courtesy of the Leominster Historical Commission Archives.
Photograph by Henry St. Cyr.
Scanned and digitized by Ron Girouard.