Old houses often feature architectural elements with evocative names, and one such feature is the "coffin door." Most commonly associated with 18th- and early 19th-century homes in New England, this exterior door is typically positioned at the corner of a side wall, leading directly into the parlor rather than through an entrance hall. Also referred to as a death door, end door, corner door, or funeral door, it reflects traditions and practical design considerations. Although

Timber framers historically developed various marking and matching systems to assemble structures, with Roman numerals being the most commonly used, although other methods existed. As European carpenters migrated to the New World, they brought these techniques, leaving behind examples in 17th and 18th-century roof timbers along the East Coast. These markings, known as "marriage marks" or "carpenter's marks," were crucial for identifying how different pieces fit together, ofte

Over centuries, early New England farmers meticulously stacked rocks they unearthed while tending their land. Today, many of these stone walls still scatter Wilbraham and Hampden, a testament to the region's enduring history. Constructed primarily between 1750 and 1850 by European settlers, these walls served to clear fields for farming. Originally seen as nuisances in fertile soil, rocks were removed and repurposed into boundary markers and home foundations. The stone supply

In 1941, as the United States faced the growing threat of World War II, the Wilbraham Fire Department responded to the escalating national emergency with foresight and determination. Recognizing the potential for wartime crises, the department established the Auxiliary Fire Department to strengthen the town's emergency preparedness. This newly formed unit is comprised of twenty-three dedicated volunteers who are trained and equipped to assist the main fire department with fir

I'm sure we were just one of many neighborhoods in the old postal zip code of "01067" with kids who roamed its many streets, but as I dig deeper into the history of my beloved hometown, North Wilbraham, Collins Depot, something both startling and comforting becomes clear: I am now a part of that history. Growing up there in the '60s, '70s, and '80s, I was unknowingly leaving my own unique imprint on the rich, ever-evolving story of its past. Our little corner of North Wilbrah

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the towns located along the Connecticut River in western Massachusetts were a unique region within the Bay Colony. While these towns were politically part of Massachusetts, they were separated from Boston by over 80 miles of sparsely populated hill country. Due to the distance and rugged terrain, the Massachusetts River towns had closer ties to Connecticut. From the beginning of settlement, family ties, trade, and communication bound the se

In August 1955, within just over a week, two hurricanes passed through Southern New England, causing devastating flooding across much of the region. The first, Hurricane Connie, arrived on August 11 and 12, delivering 4 to 6 inches of rainfall. This heavy rain saturated the ground and raised river and reservoir levels to above normal, setting the stage for even worse flooding. Only a week later, Hurricane Diane struck, dealing a massive blow to New England. Rainfall from Dian

Credit for creating this tour and its documentation must go to Jim Clark, Past Chairman of the Wilbraham Historical Commission, the contributing authors, and Charles Merrick, editor of The History of Wilbraham, published in 1964. This walking tour is dedicated to the memory of Jim Clark, who died in February 1994. The village set aside this land for the Burying Ground in 1736, at the foot of a hill that would later lead to the site of the future Meeting House. The first recor

In 1700, English law changed to allow everyone, regardless of status, to be buried in a coffin. Before this, coffins were typically reserved for the wealthy, while poorer individuals were usually wrapped in a shroud and laid directly in the ground. The only coffin they might encounter was the "parish coffin," a communal vessel used to transport the deceased to their burial place. This practice extended to the British American Colonies, whereby in 1704, coffins were widely ado

The Boston Post Road, also known as the Upper Post Road, stands as the pioneering postal route linking Boston and New York, traversing through Wilbraham. It represents a significant historical artery alongside two other notable routes: the Lower Post Road and the Middle Post Road. Over time, segments of these pivotal postal roads evolved into prominent trails and pathways, laying the groundwork for several U.S. and interstate routes. The Upper Post Road, the eldest among the

Well, besides the obvious, we are going to talk about soil. Adams Cemetery is situated within the Connecticut Valley Lowland, a region shaped by geological events spanning tens of thousands of years. Approximately 70,000 years ago, as ice and snow accumulated across New England, it exceeded the rate of summer melting. Over time, this ice thickened to over a mile in depth, reshaping the landscape beneath it. The glacier, at its peak around 35,000 years ago, extended across Mas

The chilling events of Tuesday, July 26, 1881, on Hampden Road (Hollow Road) in Wilbraham cast a dark shadow over the small community. The lifeless body of Rueben S. Cadwell, a 73-year-old town pauper residing with Cyrus Day of Monson, was discovered the following Wednesday evening by two men passing through a nearby pasture. Cadwell, known for undertaking side jobs for Mr. Day, met a gruesome end. His face and head bore brutal bruising, while the marks of strangulation on hi

In June 1775, responding to the urgent call for aid from George Washington's besieged forces in Boston, Massachusetts, the Continental Congress took decisive action, ordering the formation of two companies of Virginia riflemen. Recognizing the importance of capable leadership, Washington handpicked Hugh Stephenson and Daniel Morgan to command these vital units. Stephenson set about raising his company in the Shepherdstown area, while Morgan undertook the same task in Winchest

By Retired Fire Chief David F. Bourcier 1963 George M. Kingdon Fire Company, W.F.D. Headquarters The Bicentennial, Continuing Growth and Advancements: In 1963, the Town of Wilbraham marked its Bicentennial amidst a time of remarkable growth. The community was experiencing a significant surge in population, prompting various departments, including the fire department, to seek additional personnel to meet the increasing demands. Despite these challenges, the town remained commi

By Retired Fire Chief David F. Bourcier                              The George M. Kingdon Fire Company 1919             Acknowledgments: Growing up near the North Wilbraham Fire Station, I was captivated by the rich history and dedication of the organization. The men and women of this department have made significant contributions both to the emergency service and to the community they serve. Within these pages, the remarkable accomplishments of this fire department, often p

On a beautiful winter day, my wife Kelley and I set out to explore the remnants of an old sawmill that once stood on Big Brook in the mountains of Wilbraham. Built by Moses Hancock in the 1800s, this sawmill was an intriguing piece of local history we were eager to uncover. We started our journey on the old Third Road, where Moses himself had once lived. The area was lined with ancient stone walls, a testament to the early farming life of this community. Some majestic trees h

The Boston Post Cane, introduced in 1909, was a unique tradition sent to the selectmen of 700 towns across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Rhode Island. Its purpose was to honor the oldest citizens in each community. This iconic cane was the brainchild of Edwin Grozier, the publisher of the Boston Post, who was inspired by the promotional stunts of his former employer, Joseph Pulitzer. The canes, crafted from ebony imported from the Congo in Africa and adorned with a

On Friday, September 11, 1908, the small town of Wilbraham buzzed with excitement as the sun rose over the mountains, casting a golden hue on the rolling hills that framed the horizon. The air was electric with anticipation as townsfolk and visitors alike gathered along Monson Road, eagerly awaiting the historic hill climb race about to unfold. Organized under the auspices of the prestigious Springfield Automobile Club and proudly sponsored by the Automobile Club of Massachus

In the quaint town of Wilbraham, nestled within historic houses that stand as silent witnesses to centuries past, mysterious apotropaic marks (from Greek  apotrepein  "to ward off") are symbols or patterns scratched into a building or other objects to keep witches out through apotropaic magic. These symbols grace walls, doors, and attic beams alike. Known by many names, one common mark—hexafoil, witch mark, six-petaled rosettes, or six-lobed stars—these enigmatic daisy wheels

The Boston Tea Party was not solely a response to a tax on tea but was deeply rooted in broader political and economic issues. The Tea Act of 1773, which imposed taxes on tea and granted the East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies, was perceived by the colonists as an infringement on their rights and a consolidation of British control. The protest was fueled by a combination of factors, including the resentment of taxation without representation, t