Watch the video!

Harvard in the First Half of the 20th Century

A Living History Program

Was on
Thursday May 18, 2023

At the Harvard Historical Society, 215 Still River Road, Harvard MA 01451
Image
A living history program presented by the Harvard Historical Society in which former citizens tell stories about their lives and events that took place during the first half of the 20th century. Based on manuscripts collected by Ida Harris, recently edited by Joe Theriault.
1 hour 6 minutes
With thanks to Will Hopper from HCTV for recording and editing this event.

The Harvard Historical Society presents a living history program, “Harvard in the First Half of the 20th Century.”  Harvard citizens tell stories about their lives and the events that took place during those early decades, including two world wars, a depression, a hurricane, and more.  The stories are adapted from a manuscript written by members of the Society in the late 1930s,  under the leadership of Ida Harris. The manuscript has been recently edited and prepared for publication by Joe Theriault, author and former president of the society..

Ida Harris tells us in her Preface that “Records have been searched, papers consulted, some of the oldest inhabitants interviewed and efforts made to obtain the most authentic information available.”  She concludes, “The aim of this committee has been to preserve for posterity such material as is now available but which, with the passing of the present inhabitants, might be forever lost.”

Other  authors who wrote sections of the book were Frank P. Abbot, Mary P. Abbot, Minnie E. Farnsworth, Imogene A. Gale, Edgar W. Harrod, Warren K. Harrod, Emila Estelle Hersey, Etta M. Ripley, Alma T. Royal, Clara Endicott Sears, Helen E. Stone, Arthur H. Turner, and Jennie Brown Willard. 

The book is published by the Harvard Historical Society and all proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Society.