Historical Society Will Present 400 Years of Tewksbury History in 40 Minutes

On Saturday, June 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Library, residents are invited to join the Tewksbury Historical Society for a presentation by group president Doug Sears that will condense 400 years of Tewksbury history into 40 minutes. The prerecorded program, part of the Society’s Annual Meeting, will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

“We had a lot of fun doing this,” said Sears, who was assisted by Tewksbury Historical Society vice-president Nancy Reed. “We’re trying to get people interested in exploring history and hope residents join us.”

Tewksbury, Mass. was settled in 1637 and incorporated in December 1734, meaning the town will celebrate its 300th birthday in 12 years. Sears’ presentation will include information on our sister city, Tewkesbury, England, and the connection forged between the two towns by the art of Mico Kaufman.

From fights between Roman Catholicism and the Church of England to King James to the Archbishop of Canterbury to how early settlers came to populate the land we now call Tewksbury, Sears will pack a lot of history into a short timeframe. The presentation is informed by the documents and artifacts held by the Historical Society, which acts as a repository for Tewksbury history and collects, preserves and interprets items of historical and traditional significance.

The Historical Society, which will soon move into renovated offices near the Town Common, welcomes new members.

“He who has no feeling of veneration for his predecessors should expect none of those who follow him,” said Sears, quoting an engraved plaque found on the Eldredge Public Library in Chatham. By getting involved with the Historical Society, residents can develop an appreciation for those who came before and help preserve our shared heritage.

Sears will explain the significance of some notable area artwork.