Sharon Historical Society
Sharon, Massachusetts
Where the past is always present!
Preserving the heritage of Sharon for 42 years!
Admission is FREE!
About Sharon Historical Society & the “Yellow Schoolhouse” Museum
Our Mission: The Sharon Historical Society was founded to promote the research, study, dissemination, publication and recording of the history of the Town of Sharon, Massachusetts.
Street Address: 16 High Street, Sharon, MA 02067-0175, just up the street from the historic Sharon Public Library, in Post Office Square
Open Hours: Out of concern for the health of our membership and collections, the Sharon Historical Society has temporarily suspended regularly scheduled open hours, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Yellow Schoolhouse Museum is accessible to those who are physically challenged. Parking is available behind the museum or at the adjacent Municipal Parking Lot.
Historical Views Around Sharon Center
Pettee's Store, PO Square circa 1920
South Main Street circa 1905
Town Hall circa 1905
Pettee's Store, PO Square circa 1920
South Main Street circa 1905
Town Hall circa 1905
Many of our members rely on this timeline of compiled historical events in Sharon’s history, brought to you by our Past-President, Fmr. Chief Archivist, & Beloved Sharonite, Shirley Harris Schofield.
A booklet collection of Sharon memories, by current and fmr. residents of Sharon, including many unique images and post cards, from Sharon’s past!
Sharon, Massachusetts – A History
Our popular 1976 Bicentennial History is back!
Long out of print, the so-called
“Red Book” of Sharon’s History
has been reprinted in paperback.
From the book jacket:
“ Sharon , ‘A better place to live…
…because it is naturally beautiful,’ has evolved
in two hundred years from a farming community,
to a thriving industrial center, to the
residential town that it is today,” So states the
prologue to the 1976 first edition of
“Sharon, Massachusetts—A History.”
In celebration of the National Bicentennial Year, the
citizens of Sharon set out the history of their New
England town. This group effort represents a wonderful
resource of Sharon history, lore and photography that
every past and present resident is sure to cherish.
Cost: $24.95, plus shipping
100th Anniversary Edition of “Sharon the Beautiful”
Sharon Historical Society Exclusive
Originally printed in 1912 by the Sharon Improvement Association
with text written by J. Eveleth Griffith
Cost: $19.00, plus shipping
Postcard History of Norfolk County Massachusetts
Paul Tedesco, co-author and publisher
A table top book – hardcover with 416 pages
and over 400 illustrations, many in color.
The book, a collaboration by members of each community,
presents the history of Norfolk County and its 28 towns/city
through vintage postcards and much more information.
Cost: $39.95, plus shipping
More Postcards from the Museum’s Collection
@SharonHistory Facebook Page
As you can see this is only a portion of the temporary World War II Honor Roll that was dedicated in 1943. It was located on the side grounds of the Unitarian Church in the Square. Do you recognize some familiar names? This Honor Roll did not include names of all those who served in the United States Armed Forces. As the war continued on many more men and women enlisted. The permanent Honor Roll situated on the grounds of the Sharon Town Hall has a complete list of the men and women from Sharon who served our country. In the same location you will also find the World War I memorial. Have you ever stopped to read the names?![]()
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During the late 1930s and the 1940s the marching band of boys from the Sacred Heart School on East Foxboro Street provided music for Memorial Day and July 4th parades every year. They are seen here keeping cool amongst the trees lining North Main Street near the historical Aaron Fisher House and the former Congregational Church parsonage.
We are terribly sorry to report the death of one of our great members, Nelson Rebello. He died suddenly on February 19th in Good Samaritan Hospital, Brockton surrounded by his family. Nelson was a very well-liked teacher and a coach at Sharon High School for many years, as well as an active member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, the Sharon Men's Club and Sharon Historical Society. He was the husband of the late Edna (Lavezzo) Rebello. He leaves his daughter, Carol. and her husband, Lee Harper of PA and two grandchildren. Burial will be private due to the COVID restrictions.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to everyone!![]()
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Sorry to say it is extremely frustrating to get almost to the end of a post and have it suddenly eliminated for some unknown reason other than pausing for a few seconds!!!! Even clicking on "restore" doesn't bring back all the information already printed! What I had previously printed was frozen in place. I should have taken a picture of the post with my cell phone prior to turning off the computer and then on to reboot and start all over! Even clicking "refresh" doesn't help! Might one of you be able to "clue me in?"![]()
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I had done some researching about the origin of Valentine's Day. It actually began in the third century as a religious day - a liturgical feast! May I suggest you research the information yourselves! Centuries later it became a day to remember loved ones & friends with cards, gifts, candy & jewelry, etc. School children would enjoy dropping their valentines, (some purchased, others handmade) into a beautifully decorated "Valentine Box" made by the teacher. The day would be topped off by enjoying cookies or cupcakes made by our mothers.![]()
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February 14, 1940 became another memorable day due to what became known as the Valentine Day Blizzard of 1940! The weather forecast was for rain and light flurries in the morning but about 3 p.m., there was snow falling at the rate of 2-3 inches per hour with 60 mph winds. It eventually ended with high drifts close to 16 inches. People were let out of work early; all Boston department stores closed; drivers were stuck in snow. Here in Sharon cars were backed up trying to get up Saw Mill Hill (North Main St., ) and on Norwood Street at Waldheims Curve (at location now of the nursing home). People waited until finally town trucks with sand came by. In those days we did not have the sanding trucks we have today. Men and sometimes high school boys would stand in the back of the truck dispersing the sand via the shovelful! Sidewalks were cleared of snow via a horse pulling a v-shaped wooden platform with a DPW person walking behind, holding onto the reins of the horse! Both horse and man certainly got their exercise on snowy days! We'd love to have you share your memories of both Valentine's Day and the 1940 Blizzard!
Looking out our windows today kind of reminds us of the Blizzard of '78! Was it really 43 years ago? With the amount of snow expected and falling on top of our previous storm the total height of snow will be several inches but maybe not as much as Blizzard of 1978. Some of these pictures have been seen in previous years but some of you have never seen them before. Enjoy looking, reminiscing, sharing your comments. Some may remember being stuck on the highways or even in their own houses. Snow piled up against doors. I know of one family that fortunately had a couple shovels in their basement which their sons took as they climbed out a window onto a porch in order to shovel snow away from the front door. They then shoveled a pathway to driveway and on to the street! Neighbors were helping neighbors; people were out walking, some to and from Cobb's Corner. Sharon's Senior Citizen Bus, driven by Jack Cosgrove, shuttled back and forth from the Square to Cobb's Corner. Star Market was then at Cobb's Corner and Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar was open. People were grateful they were able to purchase eggs, orange juice, bread and a few other items beside ice cream. We will enjoy hearing from you!
It is with great sadness and heartfelt sympathy that I tell you the Town of Sharon (and the Sharon Historical Society) has lost another beloved individual. Mort Kaufman, well known to many of you as a teacher, principal and friend, passed away February 3, 2021 at the age of 92. The following information is from his obituary posted by Stanetsky Memorial Chapel in Canton.![]()
"Morton was born in Fall River in 1928, he was the son of the late Simon and rose (Cohen) Kaufman. The family moved to Nantucket Island when he was 2 years old. His family ran Cy 's Green Coffee Pot, a well-known establishment on Nantucket for many years. He graduated from Nantucket High School in 1946 and graduated with a degree in History from the University of Vermont and a Masters in Education from Boston University. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps stateside from 1950-1952, reaching the rank of sergeant. He was a teacher and then elementary school principal in Sharon for over 30 years. He believed in the nobility of teaching and education and was renowned for learning the names of all of students in the school after only a few months.![]()
An avid and outstanding baseball player in his youth, he loved swimming in the ocean, tennis and all things sports. But he also loved reading, theatre, music. He read the 'New York Times' and the 'Boston Glove' daily for over fifty years. He is predeceased by his beloved wife and friend of over 60 years, Dorothy, and leaves his children, Robert and Julie, and four granddaughters.![]()
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sharon Public Library or the charity of your choice. The family is hoping to have a celebration of his life when the weather is warm and the world is on the mend."
Just two weeks ago a new law was passed and signed by legislators in Washington D.C. It was given the name of someone very familiar to us in Massachusetts and, in particular, those of us who live in Sharon! On January 5, 2021, the Deborah Sampson Act was passed "to improve access to the Department of Veterans' Affairs for females, braking the cultural barriers that impact women veterans." As most of you know Deborah is Massachusetts' State Heroine. She had fought in the Revoluntionary War disguised as a male. Following her discharge she came to live in Sharon with an Aunt & Uncle on Bay Road. She later married farmer Benjamin Gannett, raised a family and remained here until her death. She is buried in Rock Ridge Cemetery. Visitors from various states have come to or contacted the Sharon Historical Society for information about Deborah. The picture of Deborah is the only known picture of the true Deborah. It was drawn by a Framingham (MA) artist in 1797 by the name of Joseph Stone. It was used on the cover of a book about Deborah which may be viewed in the Sharon Historical Society's Yellow Schoolhouse Museum.
Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day for one of our members! Many of you will remember her from your days at Sharon High School! MARTHA RICH, a former nurse in the Sharon Schools will be celebrating her 98th BIRTHDAY! Although this is last minute, Martha's family is planning a parade of cars to drive by Martha's house (40 Mountain St.) tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 16th. If you wish to join in the parade, please meet at the Sharon Middle School on Mountain St., prior to 2 p.m. Martha is the oldest member of the Sharon Historical Society. Until about 4 or 5 years ago she was an active member who frequently volunteered as a docent in the Society's Yellow Schoolhouse Museum as well as helping at the annual Yard Sales and many other Society events. In behalf of the Sharon Historical Society we send Martha our congratulations, love and good wishes for an enjoyable and memorable 98th Birthday!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!![]()
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Today we are posting some great news, not only for our members, viewers and followers but all who have been interested in the happenings of the Sharon Historical Society, Inc., in recent times.![]()
Due to recent internal challenges of the Historical Society, both sides met with a mediator and have now formed an INTERIM BOARD OF DIRECTORS consisting of a total of 15 members.![]()
Last evening the newly formed Board met for the first time to get to know one another by way of a zoom meeting. The BOARD, led by temporary president, Brad Larsen, will meet monthly until the Annual Meeting and Election of new officers and board members in June 2021.![]()
After a brief welcoming message by Brad, he introduced long-time member, Shirley Schofield, who spoke about history not always being something that happened years and years ago but anything happening such as during this past year or this week or even five minutes ago! She also talked about events of the past. She mentioned an important part of the Society's mission is to preserve the history of Sharon for future generations. You've no doubt heard the phrase, "it's here in our museum where the past is always present!" Brad then asked everyone present to give a brief background bio and to tell what they are hoping for the future of the Sharon Historical Society.![]()
Presently we are planning to prepare a newsletter to be published in February and we are looking forward to a Quarterly Meeting in March. It was a very positive meeting with many suggestions we will be sharing with our members. Unfortunately, the museum is still unable to be opened to the public but we do hope with the dispensing of vaccine and the diminishing of Covid-19 virus we can get back to our former routine and fun once again. We thank all of![]()
you who have been supportive and continue to look at our Facebook page and respond with your memories of Sharon. Stay tuned in .... we will continue to keep you posted!
The Sharon Historical Society • 02067
www.sharonhistoricalsociety.org
The Sharon Historical Society was founded to promote the research, study, dissemination, publication and recording of the history of the Town of Sharon, Massachusetts.
WE'RE SENDING GOOD WISHES TO ALL OUR MEMBERS, VIEWERS AND FOLLOWERS FOR A VERY HAPPY and HEALTHY NEW YEAR! This past year has been challenging in so many ways; hopefully 2021 will be much more normal for everyone, everywhere.![]()
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I had hoped to have some pictures about past "First Night" celebrations here in Sharon but unfortunately for some reason I'm unable to pull them up to post them. However, many of you must remember back to the late 1990s and into the early years of the new century when it was Sharon's tradition to celebrate "First Night" on New Years Eve! Crowds of people would come out to attend the many venues at sites in the Square and elsewhere throughout the Town. How about sharing your memories of those nights with us? What do you remember? In later years, December 31, 2014 to be exact, our Town did revive the "First Night" celebration as we began the year long celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Sharon's Incorporation. Do you recall how bitter cold that night was? Perhaps next year will be a good time to do it again.
The Sharon Historical Society, Inc., sends greetings and good wishes to all its members, viewers and followers no matter where you may be today. Although things are different this year, celebrating Christmas has not been cancelled! Have an enjoyable and memorable day!
Last week we posted a picture of one of the buildings at the once-upon-a-time Sharon Sanatorium. Here on the road to the "San" you can see that building in this picture that is titled "The Road to the Sanatorium." This is Upland Road leading to Everett Street. The second picture shows students in their classroom that was in the Children's Pavilion (years later it became the Kendall Whaling Museum) and the third picture is a sleeping porch, also in the Children's Pavilion. Even though the children were ill with rheumatic fever or tuberculosis most of them were able to attend classes. One of the teachers who had taught there was Beatrice Kitchen, no doubt a name familiar to many of you. Bea Kitchen also tested youngsters who were about to enter kindergarten in the Sharon public schools. Are you aware there were underground tunnels connecting the various buildings on the property of the "San?" How about sharing your memories with our viewers?
Do some of you remember this structure and where it was? It was a cabin for Boy Scouts built in the mid-1930s by their fathers and friends. It was located off the beaten path .... a path that began at Crest Road and went through the woods down toward what we today know as Massapoag Brook. In an earlier era it was known as Devil's Brook. For several years Boy Scouts of Sharon enjoyed meetings and sleepovers at this site. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by fire, determined to be caused by arson sometime in late 1970s or early 1980s. Perhaps someone from SFD can tell us the exact year. At one time there was another Boy Scout cabin in the woods on Summit Street (unknown to most Sharonites). It is actually another cart path off Moose Hill Street beyond the now property of Trustees of Reservation, formerly the Kendall family's home. The cabin was there in the early 1900s. The area of Seminole Circle which was off Wolomolopoag St., was a camping site once owned by the Congregational Church where Scouts from Troop 74 and later Troop 51 would go for weekend campouts. That property was sold to a developer! Have the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts been able to meet through the Pandemic?
Pictured is the Sharon Sanatorium once located on Everett Street, off Upland Road. This picture is an enlargement of a picture on a post card from the Sharon Historical Society's vast collection of post cards. The Sanatorium opened in February 1891. Alfred Bowditch was the first President of the Board of Directors and Drs. Vincent Y. Bowditch and Robert W. Lovett were Medical Directors. It was in 1901 that well-known Dr. Walter A. Griffin became the Resident Director. A few years later the name, Sanatorium, was changed to Sanatarium, meaning "to heal!' The building many of you may remember in later years as the Kendall Whaling Museum was actually once the Children's Pavilion at the "San" as it was referred to by Sharon residents. The "San" was a hospital for women and children who suffered from tuberculosis or rheumatic fever. In this picture you see the porches at the front of the building where the women would be wrapped in blankets as they rested in lounge chairs for hours each day all year 'round. It was determined fresh air was therapeutic for those that had TB or rheumatic fever. Dr. Griffin had been the resident doctor for forty years and, of course, he had his own private practice. He died in December of 1976; many of you have happy memories of the doctor. Thankfully his legacy and what he did for Sharon and, in particular, for its children, lingers on.![]()
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In the mid-1940s the Sanatarium closed; Children's Hospital took over the care of children. Norwood Hospital had purchased the property in 1947 and kept it for just a few years and then sold it to Henry P. Kendall in 1950. Mr. Kendall had a very large collection of whaling artifacts and this site was ideal for displaying his collection. It became known world-wide as the Kendall Whaling Museum. Symposiums brought people from all over the world to Sharon! This particular building was eventually demolished. Years later the museum merged with the New Bedford Whaling Museum where, today, you will find many items once in the Kendall Whaling Museum in Sharon. At the present time this property and the Kendall property on Moose Hill are owned by the Massachusetts Trustees of Reservation. Do you have memories you are willing to share with our viewers?
We sadly inform our members, viewers, and followers of the death early this morning of our member, Helen Hawkins Hogan. Helen had been a very active member of the Sharon Historical Society, Inc., for many years .... a person who was always willing to help when called upon to volunteer. She enjoyed volunteering as a docent in the museum and could always be seen at our annual yard sales as she & others sat under a tent watching over the baked goods! Helen was a well-known teacher at the Cottage Street School, a member of Fortnightly Club of Sharon and the Sharon Garden Club. She also had a passion for playing bridge and was an avid reader. Her grandfather Hawkins had been a member of several Sharon Town Committees. In recent years Helen was a resident of Wingate of Sharon. Her death was due to complications from Covid-19 virus. Helen was the wife of the late John Hogan and mother of Beth, Maureen and Michael Hogan. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. May she rest in peace.
To our faithful members, friends, viewers and followers of the Sharon Historical Society and its Facebook page, we wish you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! ![]()
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Many thanks and blessings to our first responders, the Sharon Fire and the Sharon Police departments, the DPW, and our Town Officials for all they do for our townspeople and for the support they have given us this past year. How lucky we are to live in Sharon. May this day be a memorable day; it's one that will be a historical day, different than any we have experienced! Enjoy it as best you can and hope and pray better days will soon be here.
Thank you to our friend, Dwight MacKerron, president of the Stoughton Historical for searching for an advertisement showing Withington & Lowe Funeral Directors. Dwight sent a picture of the ad and, in the meantime, I also found the same ad in an 1898 Business Directory of Sharon, Foxboro and Mansfield. As Dwight had mentioned, please note these gentlemen had a "Lady Assistant!" and they were "Up to date FURNITURE DEALERS" with sites in both Sharon & Stoughton; the Sharon store being in the Workman's Building on South Main Street at corner of East Chestnut Street (see post below published yesterday). This tells us the old building had to have been constructed sometime before 1898!
This building, known as the Workman's Building, was on South Main Street at the corner of East Chestnut St. CVS's parking lot is now there. As you see, the main tenant was Withington and Lowe, undertakers, also known as funeral directors! It was not a funeral parlor since in years now long ago., what we call visiting hours or wakes, were observed in the home of the deceased. In this store caskets and other supplies could be purchased. Years later Mr. Lowe went into business with Mr. Powers and together they opened the Lowe and Powers Funeral Home in Stoughton. At that time Sharon did not have a funeral home; thus, many Sharon families used the Lowe & Powers Funeral Home for visiting, wakes and often funeral services. I believe before this building was demolished, Saunders' Drug Store was at this location. Upstairs was a beautiful space where meetings and dancing lessons were held. On the first floor, around the corner facing East Chestnut Street, Mrs. Kane, wife of Matt Kane, a SHS custodian, had a little restaurant called "Harmony Lunch." Kids from the High School often went across So Main St. to have their lunch there rather that have the school lunch! Note house on East Chestnut Street still remains at that site!
Today we are expressing our congratulations to Dave and Gail Martin, long-time active members of Sharon Historical Society, Inc., both of whom are marathon runners. Today they accomplished a goal set a couple years ago which was to run every street in Sharon. Their last street to run was Norwood Street to the Walpole line. It is now history!![]()
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P..S. They have also run in all 50 states of USA, plus Iceland and Antarctica.![]()
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If there are other members who have accomplished this goal please let us know; we do not want to overlook you
On behalf of the "official" Sharon Historical Society, Inc., THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH for leaving this framed picture at the front door of our Yellow Schoolhouse Museum on High Street. Sorry we do not know who you are!!! It is very fortunate one of our members happened to notice an object there as she was driving by the museum and stopped and then brought it to me (Shirley Schofield). Perhaps the individual who left it there did not observe the sign saying the museum was closed due to Covid-19 Pandemic. However, it was unfortunate the picture had not been wrapped nor put in a plastic bag as water had seeped inside the frame. It WAS fortunate though the picture did not get wet. However, after removing the backing we found the picture and two pieces of cardboard inside frame were quite damp; thus, they were laid out to dry and then put between books to flatten! Written on the back of the frame was: "John Randall Homestead, Sharon, Mass., South Main Street, Built 1776." The handwriting appeared to me being that of Katharine Cartwright who lived at 148 South Main Street. She was one of the founding members of the "official" Sharon Historical Society, Inc. and was also known as Sharon's Official Historian!" Also on the back was a label advertising "Powers Photography, Boylston Street, Boston." It could very well have been Stillman Powers, who, during the 1920s and 1930s was a well-known photographer here in Sharon.. Many of his photos were used as postcards; this picture of the Randall Homestead was one of them. I recall Mrs. Cartwright telling me the Randall Homestead was on the right side of South Main Street at the bottom of the hill opposite Gertrude Ave. Our museum has been closed to the public since mid-March and yes, we are very anxious for it to open once again, We are hoping it will be happening soon ,,, we are looking forward to greeting you at a grand reopening celebration!
Tomorrow, November 11th, the Town of Sharon will celebrate VETERANS DAY with a special program honoring our veterans of all wars. It will be held on the grounds of the Town Hall, East Chestnut St. at 11 a.m. Speakers will be a member of the Select Board and Senator Timility. You are asked to wear masks and to observe the social distancing of at least 6' from those near you. Sharon's two memorials are near by; take time to read names of those who fought in World War I and World War II. Following the program, members of the American Legion, Charles R. Wilber Post #106, invite you to a small collation on the grounds of their headquarters on South Main Street, diagonally across from Shaw's Plaza, near Route 95.
CNNDuring the "Resort Era Years," the late 1800s to about 1940s, Sharon had been known as one of the healthiest towns in New England. Here in Sharon there were many hotels, inns and boarding houses, and two sanitoriums back then. According to Mr. Roy Griffith of Griffith-Skillings Press, Boston, the author of the manuscript written in "Sharon the Beautiful," a book published in 1912, "Sharon air is keen and clear, and free from heaviness and damp; the pulse quickens under it, and it heartens and enlivens. Sharon is indeed nature's favorite; that she was given loveliness seems not to have been enough, for she has been granted in greater measure, besides, the more valuable possession, health. Sharon is without question the most healthful town in New England." Mr Griffith goes on to talk about "the water of Sharon being a fit companion to its air in purity and healthfulness. Not one drop of water flows into Sharon from any other town, Sharon being the watershed of three rivers." Pictured here is the Garten Sanitorium that was once located on Beach Street near the intersection of Cedar and Gunhouse streets. Unfortunately, we have no information about this site other than we know that McElroy's Lakeview Hotel had been here possibly following the closure of the Garten Sanitorium. Many of our viewers do recall the Sharon Sanitorium on Everett Street of which Dr. Walter A. Griffin was Director. It later became the Kendall Whaling Museum site and presently is owned by the Massachusetts Trustees of Reservation.
SHARON TO CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY!![]()
Because of Covid-19 Pandemic, this year's Veterans Day program will take place surrounding the Flag Pole in front of the Town Hall on East Chestnut Street, according to Paul Bergeron, Sharon's Veterans Agent. The ceremony will take place Wednesday, November 11th at 11 a.m. honoring all veterans. You are asked to wear masks and to observe social distancing of 6 feet or more. Only a limited amount of people may attend. Clergy will offer prayers. There will be a speaker from the Select Board and also Senator Timilty has been invited to speak. Five military branch markers will be dedicated. At the conclusion of ceremony, it is suggested you walk over toward South Main St., to view names of those who served in World War I and World War II listed on separate monuments. Sharon Cablevision is expected to film the program which will be shown later enabling all those who want to view the annual event to do so.![]()
Two pictures below show Sharon Historical Society's table at 2019 Veterans Day celebration in the Square, along with picture of the crowd listening to one of the speakers. Other pictures show Historical Society members preparing the Society's 2019 annual display in their museum (sadly we are unable to have our annual display this year); a close up picture of Purple Heart Medal and finally, a picture of Charles R. Wilber, a name of which many of you have heard but have never seen his picture. He was the only serviceman from Sharon killed during World War I.
Shown here is an architect's rendering of Frederick Mansfield's proposed Sharon Atla Hotel that Mr. Mansfield was hoping to build on Belcher Street in the late 1800s. However, it never happened but instead, a beautiful Victorian style house was built on the property for Mr. Mansfield and his family. It remains there today. F. Mansfield & Son were proprietors of the Atla Bay Path Beverage Company that was at the end of Belcher Street approximately where the Sharon Sportsmen's Club is today. The company made flavored soda beverages. Shown here is a bottle cap from a bottle of coffee flavored soda. Water used for the soda was pure spring water from a spring in the area. The hotel rendering and bottle cap are in the vast archives collection of the official Sharon Historical Society, Inc., 16 High Street.![]()
As many of you know we have been following the advice of Gov. Charlie Baker and have remained closed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Because we have so many objects such as photos, documents, books, post cards, etc. to sanitize it is a time-consuming project; and plus all that, we have had some very serious internal challenges. Information is posted on our website: www.sharonhistoricalsociety.org. We are thankful and very grateful for the help and support of our 300 plus members. We hope our problems will soon be rectified.
During the "Resort Era Years," the late 1800s to about 1940s, Sharon had been known as one of the healthiest towns in New England. Here in Sharon there were many hotels, inns and boarding houses, and two sanitoriums back then. According to Mr. Roy Griffith of Griffith-Skillings Press, Boston, the author of the manuscript written in "Sharon the Beautiful," a book published in 1912, "Sharon air is keen and clear, and free from heaviness and damp; the pulse quickens under it, and it heartens and enlivens. Sharon is indeed nature's favorite; that she was given loveliness seems not to have been enough, for she has been granted in greater measure, besides, the more valuable possession, health. Sharon is without question the most healthful town in New England." Mr Griffith goes on to talk about "the water of Sharon being a fit companion to its air in purity and healthfulness. Not one drop of water flows into Sharon from any other town, Sharon being the watershed of three rivers." Pictured here is the Garten Sanitorium that was once located on Beach Street near the intersection of Cedar and Gunhouse streets. Unfortunately, we have no information about this site other than we know that McElroy's Lakeview Hotel had been here possibly following the closure of the Garten Sanitorium. Many of our viewers do recall the Sharon Sanitorium on Everett Street of which Dr. Walter A. Griffin was Director. It later became the Kendall Whaling Museum site and presently is owned by the Massachusetts Trustees of Reservation.
Since soon after the Sharon Historical Society, Inc., officially organized in 1982, we began fund raisers. Our goal was to eventually have a building of our own which we finally did have constructed and opened at 16 High Street in September of 1999. From the very beginning of our organizing, we had many fairs, such as a Transportation Fair and Craft Fairs, trolley and bus tours, but our major fund raisers through the years were Yard Sales. For many years, prior to opening our museum, sales were held at Kendall's "Red Barn" on South Main Street. We had just one week to price items and decorate the inside of the barn where the very special items such as antiques were displayed and sold. Pricing was done in the cold basement below. It was an ideal site for us as there was much traffic on South Main St. People stopped to shop, have coffee and chatted with our friendly workers, some of whom you can see pictured here. These pictures were taken in June 1998 - the last year we used this location. The next year, although the museum was not quite finished, we were able to use our very own site in June 1999. FYI, we also had a very successful Capital Campaign, raising enough money to go ahead with construction without taking out a mortgage .... thanks to so many donors, Sharon Banks and the Sharon Credit Union.. As you know, our Museum and Carriage House have been closed since Mid-March due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. We hope we will be able to welcome you to our facilities once we are able to go through the process of following instructions for opening museums as is required.. In the meantime, please continue to follow us on this page,![]()
the official Sharon Historical Society's Facebook page and also on our website: www.sharonhistoricalsociety.org![]()
Please click on each picture to enlarge and to read description of each photo.