Page 400 - BOXFORD

Forty years ago the United States celebrated the Bicentennial of the American Revolution.
Like many other communities across the country, Boxford celebrated extravagantly in the
years leading up to July 4, 1976. Town activities included festivals, a colonial-dress ball,
historic concert, golf tournament, the first Grand Illumination, and a two-week visit by 72
residents of Boxford, England. Beyond the festivities, however, the Bicentennial
Commission wanted a lasting legacy for the town - a historic center to gather and provide
copies of old records, newspapers, maps, and other historical data.

The Boxford Historic Document Center is located in West Boxford Village, in the little
brick building next to the Second Congregational Church. In the past forty years, the
collection of historic materials held by the BHDC has expanded dramatically. In addition,
the Document Center continues to collect contemporary material, reflecting what Boxford
is like today. It’s easy to forget how quickly present day activities become part of a
community’s tradition and history!

What can you expect to see at the Boxford Historic Document Center? Our collection
relates to the history of Boxford, and the people, organizations, places and houses
associated with the town. It includes papers of old Boxford families, as well as information
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about people living in town today. Since the mid-19 century Boxford has been a
community with many social organizations and clubs. Imagine what you could learn about
life in Boxford by looking at the records of the Natural History Society, the Boxford
Oratorio Society, or the West Boxford Raquette Club. We hold the business records of
Charles Chaplin’s sawmill and material relating to Kelsey Highlands Nursery. In addition
there are historic and modern maps and plans, photographs, postcards and other images,
along with copies of local newspapers, and an extensive reference library.

The Document Center has also been able to offer secure archival storage to community
organizations to ensure the preservation of their records. Among these are First Church
Congregational and the Second Congregational Church, the Boxford Village Garden Club,
BTA/BOLT, several cemetery associations, the Grange, the Boxford Horticultural Society,
and the Boxford PTO. Obsolete town records have also been added to the collection.

The Center is always looking to acquire new collections. Materials do not need to be “old”
or “valuable” as long as they document the history of the town and its people. Among the
donations we enthusiastically accept are photographs and postcards of buildings or town
events, memorabilia and records of local organizations, schools, and churches, newspaper
articles, scrapbooks, and files recording personal involvement in town government.

Last year over 70 curious people, including students, genealogists, historians, and residents,
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visited the BHDC. Many friends joined us for our 40 anniversary celebration on October
22, with an open house, locally-sourced dinner, and a program examining Boxford’s
agricultural heritage. The Document Center also hosted an open house in December in
conjunction with the West Boxford Winter Fest.

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