Preserving the Past
Last 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 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 moreLooking around town there are a lot of visual links to Ashland’s past. Most of them are in the form of buildings or parks like John Stone’s Inn, the Shepard house, Stone Park, and the like but there is one that was a little less stationary. At the turn of the 19th century Ashland was changing along with the times. […]
» 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 more“What goes around comes around.” It’s an old saying that is particularly appropriate when we look at the changing modes of transportation today. With gasoline prices going through the roof, it doesn’t come as a big surprise that there is renewed interest in riding the train. Whether for commuter use, or to take in a show in Boston or Worcester, […]
» Read moreWhere’s Unionville? Well, if you are a home recipient of the Directions you are probably sitting within its boundaries right now. Unionville became Ashland when the town was incorporated in 1846. More on that in a minute, but let’s look at the composition of Unionville. The village was equal parts of Framingham and Hopkinton, and 20% Holliston, give or take […]
» Read moreThe Owners of Ocean House The Ocean House was built in 1748 by Colonel John Jones (b.1683 known as John Jones Esq.). An addition to the house was built about 1763. This addition is the East side of the house which includes the distinctive “Beverly Jog.” The new portion of the house was most likely occupied by John Jones, Esq. […]
» Read moreWhen you hear the word “peddler” what comes to mind? Looking at it from today’s perspective it would probably be someone who sells beverages or hotdogs at a ballgame, or possibly a dealer surrounded by empty boxes displaying his or her wares at a flea market. But over the centuries there were many other varieties of peddlers. One of the […]
» Read moreEvery September, Ashland holds a community day called Ashland Day. It is a day where townsfolk can meet each other and enjoy all the finest that living in New England has to offer. There are food concessions, parades (well, most of the time), information booths, music, games, raffles, and a stage at the gazebo for recognizing the people that contribute […]
» Read moreOne of my favorite late 90s TV shows was “Sliders.” It was based upon a group of space/time travelers who collectively jumped into a “worm hole” only to land in a parallel or alternate world. Everything looked the same, but there was always something different. The blue house on the corner of Main and Elm St. was now white, or […]
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