It was 1908. Her friend Mari had left something behind while visiting in Williamsburg. So M.R. sent a postcard of the center of Burgy to her friend Mari Packard in Plainfield on July 17, 1908. She writes: “Dear Mari—Have patience. I have been rather busy. What can I do for you about that purse you left here? M. R.”
In the postcard of “Main Street Looking North. Williamsburg, Mass.” M.R. sent to Mari, you can see C.R. Damon’s Store (now the Williamsburg General Store); the Williamsburg Center School (now the Grange Hall); the old Town Hall (now the Williamsburg Historical Society’s museum); and the Methodist Church (gone now – the site of the Veterans Memorial Park). In 1908, the Williamsburg High School was on the second floor of the Center School.
The recent photographs show: the Williamsburg General Store, continuing the century-long use of the building. The Williamsburg Grange #225, after its 1950 transformation that removed the first floor, lowered the second floor, built a basement, added a stage to the back and the columned portico on the front. The Williamsburg Historical Society’s museum, the home of many historic town artifacts. The open space of the Veterans Park. And the red Burgy Brews (and Brewmasters Brewing Services), the newest venture in the old hotel and tavern opened by Gross Williams in 1812.
One wonders if Mari ever got her purse back. Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist and current image photographer. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.
Posted to Facebook 12/9/2021
