Lynnfield Historical Society: Established 1954
In 1954, Lynnfield felt the first signs of a post-war transformation from its agrarian past to its suburban future.
A committee headed up by Katherine Wellman Ross established the Lynnfield Historical Society to cultivate and further an interest both the history and progress of the community. Louis B. Tuck was chosen as first president.
On March 17, 1960, the Town Meeting voted unanimously to give the Society care and custody of the Lynnfield Meeting House. The building, constructed in 1714, had served Lynnfield in many capacities, most recently, at that time, as the central fire station. The Society raised funds to restore the Meeting House to its original use. It then spent the next six decades continuing to raise funds to cover all upkeep and utilities, at no expense to the town. The Society made the building available for civic functions and celebrations, and oversaw its rental, with income used for upkeep.
For seven decades the Society has provided lectures, presentations, book talks, celebrations and performances to meet that goal We have raised funds and provided that labor and dedication to restore and maintain our town symbol, transforming it from its use as a fire station to its present state as our beautiful Meeting House. A recent ruling by the Board of Selectmen, in direct opposition to the 1960 town meeting vote, has removed the Meeting House from the care of the Society. The Town Historical Commission is, at the time of this writing, responsible for the meeting house. The Lynnfield Historical Society continues to pursue the identification, preservation, and sharing of the history of this wonderful town.
In addition, the Society has collected and cared for papers, photos, and memorabilia that tell the story of Lynnfield's heritage.
A committee headed up by Katherine Wellman Ross established the Lynnfield Historical Society to cultivate and further an interest both the history and progress of the community. Louis B. Tuck was chosen as first president.
On March 17, 1960, the Town Meeting voted unanimously to give the Society care and custody of the Lynnfield Meeting House. The building, constructed in 1714, had served Lynnfield in many capacities, most recently, at that time, as the central fire station. The Society raised funds to restore the Meeting House to its original use. It then spent the next six decades continuing to raise funds to cover all upkeep and utilities, at no expense to the town. The Society made the building available for civic functions and celebrations, and oversaw its rental, with income used for upkeep.
For seven decades the Society has provided lectures, presentations, book talks, celebrations and performances to meet that goal We have raised funds and provided that labor and dedication to restore and maintain our town symbol, transforming it from its use as a fire station to its present state as our beautiful Meeting House. A recent ruling by the Board of Selectmen, in direct opposition to the 1960 town meeting vote, has removed the Meeting House from the care of the Society. The Town Historical Commission is, at the time of this writing, responsible for the meeting house. The Lynnfield Historical Society continues to pursue the identification, preservation, and sharing of the history of this wonderful town.
In addition, the Society has collected and cared for papers, photos, and memorabilia that tell the story of Lynnfield's heritage.