2004 Annual Report

East Longmeadow Historical Commission

 

 

To The Selectman,

 

            The year of  two thousand and four was a very busy and exciting year for the East Longmeadow Historical Commission.  We are settling into our new location at 87 Maple Street. There have been many improvements made on the exterior of our building, including a new picket fence out front, a new flagpole, and a new large storage shed out back.

 

            The interior of our museum has undergone a facelift.  Old wallpaper was removed, cracks in the ceilings and walls from moving have been repaired.  Fresh paint has been applied to ceilings, walls and woodwork.  Some floors have been sanded and refinished.  New displays are being arranged as we prepare for our grand re-opening to coincide with the Norcross Open House in May.  Some digitally restored old quarry photos will be featured.

 

            We had two open house meetings at the Senior Center.  In April, Douglas Bilideau from Douglas Auctioneers in South Deerfield presented “Antiques on the Road in East Longmeadow”.  Those attending brought one or two items to be appraised.  Much was learned from his expertise in the antique business.

 

            Our October speaker was Bonnie Parsons from the Pioneer Planning Commission.  Her topic was “Architectural Styles of Western Massachusetts”.  She photographed a variety of older homes in East Longmeadow, as well as surrounding towns, and told of their different styles of architecture.

 

            Jeff  McCullough, senior transportation planner for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, presented their proposal for the new Rail Trail, a bicycle trail which would run from Maple Street to Denslow Road. 

 

            Our commission had two new members added this year.  We welcomed Eleanor Seligman, and Tony Zampiceni.  Also Jonathan Beagle was added as an associate member.

 

            Our commission also made and sold our third annual Town Calendar for 2005 featuring old East Longmeadow photos with captions.  Approximately, two hundred copies were sold.

 

 

            Currently, the East Longmeadow Historical Commission meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. at the Little Red Schoolhouse.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Bruce Moore, Chairman

John Makara, Vice-Chairman

Eleanor Seligman, Secretary

James Davis, Treasurer

William Speight, Merle Safford, Tony Zampiceni; Commissioners

Wayne Bickley, Joyce Kent, Robert Jackson, Jonathan Beagle, Laura Peavey, Lynn Martin, Richard Clark and Tom Flynn; Associate Members