Preserving the Past
Post Office facilities were established in Ashland, when the village was still known by the name of Unionville, in 1835. The business center was then apparently on the north end of Main Street, for it was in a mill store at that location that the first post office was established. That was on January 7, 1835. The office remained in that […]
» Read moreThe problem of providing a suitable town farm or almshouse for the poor arose shortly after Ashland was incorporated. For its first few years the town followed the common practice of “letting out” the paupers to the lowest bidders. However, in December, 1855 there appeared in the warrant for the town meeting an article relative to the purchase of a […]
» Read moreLast month’s visit with the I.O.O.F stirred quite a few memories with some of the more established residents of Ashland (I wouldn’t dare say older). Thank you for your contributions and recollections. The Historical Society now has items donated that create a more complete picture of the organization, as well as providing a clearer path for researchers in the future. […]
» Read moreWe are all familiar with the “Entering Ashland” signs as we cross over from Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Southboro or Sherborn but the one thing that stands out is our incorporation date of 1846. As a community we are the youngest. Made up of equal parts of Hopkinton and Framingham to the east and west, and a smaller portion of Holliston […]
» Read moreIt’s Halloween, and I’m tempted to write about some of the more ghostly buildings in Ashland, but this is probably going to more of a history lesson. John Stone’s Inn is probably one of the more recognizable buildings in Ashland. At least from an outsider’s perspective. There are other landmarks well worthy, but most people associate John Stone’s Inn, or […]
» Read moreIf you live in Ashland, or take an occasional walk through downtown, it must cross your mind who owned some of these old buildings? Think for a moment what life must have been like 100, or even 150 years ago. I love to walk in downtown Framingham, Hopkinton or Westboro, and wonder who were these buildings named after? Or what […]
» Read moreLiving in New England we are constantly surrounded by history in one form or another. Often it is a notable individual, or event, but many times it is a place. Ashland is rich with historic places. Pout Rock, the Witches Caves, Magunko Hill, Workmen’s Circle, all these places we have visited and more. We also have had our share of […]
» Read moreI thought it would be fun to spend some time visiting places in town that either no longer exist, or have changed significantly over the years. These places are in no particular order or timeframe, and many have come from townsfolk like you who’ve asked, “Do you remember…?” Romeo’s Plaza, located on Union St. (Rt. 135) between Metropolitan Ave. and […]
» Read moreFor all the folk who live on Captain Eames Circle or Algonquin Trail, you are living in an area with a complex past. It was called Workmen’s Circle. While growing up in Ashland we always knew the area as an abandoned camp that once was full of activity, abandoned after a fire in 1957, and finally the scene of the […]
» Read moreA lot has been written about St. Cecilia’s church and the many parishioners and clergy over the years. Equally of course, can be said of all the religious organizations in town, but today I would like to visit Esty Street. At a time when there wasn’t instant access to news or entertainment, Ashland residents relied upon community gatherings to visit, […]
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