We're currently closed
View Hours

Manage Your Account

May 30, 1946. Memorial Day. It was a Thursday. This was the first Memorial Day following the end of World War II. The war was still fresh in the minds of town residents. It had been barely a year since the war ended—victory in Europe (V-E Day) on May 8, 1945, and formal victory over Japan on September 2, 1945 (V-J Day).

In Williamsburg, Robert P. Emerick, noted local photographer, captured the dignitaries and citizens of this town as they paraded in Haydenville in May 1946. Soldier and sailors and military personnel from all branches of the service donned their uniforms and marched together with local civic organizations and a marching band. Friends and neighbors lined the streets to watch and cheer.

a black and white photo of a marching band with uniformed musicians and baton twirlers walking on a street beside a large building and trees.
a group of men in suits and uniforms walk together in a procession outdoors, with trees and a large building in the background.
a black and white photo of a large group of girls in uniform marching in formation outside a brick building, carrying american flags.
a black and white photo of a group of people marching with flags in front of a large building, followed by a crowd; railroad crossing signs are visible in the foreground.
a group of people march in a parade down a tree lined street past a house, with some carrying flags and others walking alongside.
a black and white photo showing a group of people standing in a row holding flags outdoors, with trees and a building in the background.

Parades and ceremonies like this took place all over the country. In town, it would be a bittersweet festive yet solemn occasion. Memorial Day honored and remembered all those who died while serving their country in all wars. It was originally known as Decoration Day when it was first observed after the Civil War. For many years Memorial Day ceremonies were held specifically on May 30th, until 1971 when it became a federal holiday and was designated to be observed on the last Monday of May each year.

Williamsburg remembers. For decades, on Memorial Day, Williamsburg has remembered and honored those who have protected and served our country with a parade in town and a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park. Be part of the 2024 parade and ceremony, beginning at 1 p.m. in Burgy town center on Monday, May 27, 2024. Visit the town cemeteries and pay your respects to family, friends and neighbors who served for us. Let us never forget.

Historic photographs are from one of Dr. Charles H. Wheeler’s 15 scrapbooks of town activities which he compiled mostly during the 1940s and 1950s. Preservation copies of all of Dr. Wheeler’s scrapbooks are part of the Local History Collection in the Meekins Library. Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist and current photographer. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.

Posted to Facebook 5/23/2024

a memorial stone wall displays inscriptions honoring williamsburg's fallen soldiers, with a red, white, and blue floral wreath and flags above.
a stone veterans memorial displays five military flags, a pow/mia flag, and an american flag at half staff, surrounded by greenery and a wreath at the center.