"On January 17, 1890, 26 individuals encouraged their fellow residents to join with them in forming an historical society to 'not only rescue from oblivion what we may of ancient records, documents, portraits, implements, relics, and the tradition of the elders, but also to gather to ourselves such lessons of import as the past may teach the present.' Among those who sought to form such an organization were Franklin Poole, Edward Mansfield, Charles A. Perkins, James F. Emerson, Chester W. Eaton, Rev. W.H. Williams, Edwin Sweetser, Everett G. Daland, Harry Foster, Will Everett Eaton, John Rayner, Edwin Sawyer, Frances E. Carlton, Fred W. Young, Thomas J. Skinner, Samuel K. Hamilton, Henry H. Savage, George E. Ricker, A.S. Atherton, Edwin C. Miller, W.D. Deadman, A.A. Mansfield, C.F. Hartshorne, Charles A. Magoon, William F. Young, and Aaron Foster. After several meetings, the Wakefield Historical Society was formally organized on February 20, 1890 with 35 members. The first officers of the Society were Chester W. Eaton, President Edward Mansfield and Theodore Balch, Vice Presidents Fred W. Young, Recording Secretary Charles F. Mansfield, Treasurer and Charles A. Perkins, Curator. During the early years and throughout the Society's 100 year history, members have collected various mementos, photographs, books, portraits, relics, and writings for the museum. The Society museum has had several homes over the years including the old Wakefield Town Hall, the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, and its present home in the Americal Civic Center. The museum is open by appointment only and contains a unique collection of Wakefield's history. Today the Wakefield Historical Society membership is as dedicated to the purpose of preserving the past as were the original 35 members. The Society meets five times annually at the Americal Civic Center and boasts a membership of over 100." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio. Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 1990 Photos courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
