We're currently closed
View Hours

Manage Your Account

Helen E. Field James was a true friend to Williamsburg. Though born into the Field family in Conway, Massachusetts, on February 3, 1837, she lived her life here on North Main in the center of town, where she raised her family of four, after marrying the James General Store owner Lyman D. James in 1857.

Beloved for her “sweet simplicity and democratic spirit” she was known for her kindly acts as well as her generous gifts. Enabled by a trust left to her by her entrepreneur brother Marshall Field (of department store fame), Mrs. James supported many village improvements, including a walk from Main Street to the New Village Hill Cemetery, the Chapel and clock-belfry of the First Congregational Church, the Fire Station on North Main, and the W.C.T.U watering trough that stood in front school she built and that bore her name for decades. Mrs. James had a life-long interest in the education and welfare of town children, stemming from her own teaching days at the one-room schoolhouse on Nash Hill, when she was just 17.

Mrs. James was much-loved by the people of the town. As a token of their devotion, in 1919 townsfolk gave her a special Friendship Calendar, inscribed: “Presented to Mrs. Helen E. James by the people of Williamsburg in appreciation and love.” Personal greetings, photographs and drawings covered every date in the book. (The calendar is on permanent deposit in Meekins from the Williamsburg Historical Society. Connect to a digital version on the Meekins website.)

Who was Helen E. James? Good neighbor, generous benefactor and more. Mrs. James was photographed by another important Williamsburg woman, Jessie Tarbox Beals, photojournalist and portraitist who had a particular interest in “picturing life.” Perhaps the inscription on Helen E. James’s Village Hill Cemetery stone captures it best: “The love that lingers over her name is more than fame.” Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist and town scenes photographer. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.

Posted to Facebook 3/2/2023
Posted to Facebook 3/4/2026

elderly woman with curly hair wears a hat and light colored clothing, looking slightly to the side in a black and white portrait.
a large, two story house with lit windows stands on a lawn at dusk, surrounded by bare trees under a deep blue sky.
large blue victorian style house with a wraparound porch sits on a snowy lawn, surrounded by leafless trees under a clear blue sky.
The Williamsburg fire station
williamsburg fire department engine house number 1, white and green building with american flag and fire department insignia above garage doors.
white church building illuminated at night, with lit windows and a sign reading “first congregational church of williamsburg” in front of the entrance.
First Congregational Church
a front view of an old, red brick school building with large windows, double doors, and a faded concrete walkway leading to the entrance.
The Helen E James School
a dated calendar page from march 24, 1919, with a handwritten quote and signature from ada m. dawson.
a black and white photo of a small child standing next to a calf on a july 24, 1919 calendar page, with handwritten notes and greetings below the photo.
a 1919 calendar page for march 8, saturday, featuring a pencil sketch of a wooded stream by edward parker hayden. published by rineshvip calendar co., new britain, connecticut.
a vintage calendar page from january 2, 1919, featuring a quote about friendship by hugh black and a handwritten signature, "ada hinds.
a worn, yellowed paper titled "friendship calendar," presented to mrs. helen e. james by the people of williamsburg in 1919, with handwritten text and tape repairs.
New Village Hill Cemetery