Related Records

1. Cane - Edwin Atkins Grozier, who bought the Boston Post newspaper in 1891 when it was about to go into bankruptcy, started this tradition. He built the newspaper back up so that it was recognized as one of the nation's leading morning newspapers at the time of his death in 1924. As a creative promotion to increase circulation, in August 1909 he sent canes made of African ebony with 14-carat gold heads to the Boards of Selectmen in 700 towns in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island asking that the canes be presented in a ceremony to the town's oldest living man. The tradition was expanded to include a community's oldest woman in 1930. The cane presentations honoring towns' oldest citizens were well publicized, but over the years many of the canes were lost or stolen when the families of the last recipient failed to return the cane. Bedford retired its cane in 1992. While many towns have kept records of the recipients, Bedford failed to do so. Bob Slechta was in the process of remedying this oversight at the time of his death. Recipients can be seen on the attached list, and are cross-referenced in "People". **The Cane had been the property of the Bedford Selectmen, and stored at the Council on Aging. They have donated it to the Society, to be displayed in Town Hall.

   Bedford Historical Society Museum Collection

   Record Type: Object

   
2. Photograph - House built ca.1775, bought in 1842 by Eleazer Page Davis and later by Winfred Fitch

   2015.006.046

   Record Type: Photo

   
3. Photograph - House built ca.1775 by Josiah Davis, acquired by Winfred Fitch in 1932. Photo taken in 1950s.

   2015.006.185

   Record Type: Photo

   
4. Point, Projectile - Collection of Native American spear points, arrowheads, and other stone tools, set into a wooden plaque. Some are believed to be 8-9,000 years old. Set of 30 stone Native American artifacts, mounted on a curly maple board, 45 x 36.5 cm. Artifacts found on the farm of Winfred Fitch of 297 Concord Road (formerly 321 Concord Road). Artifacts include arrowheads, spearhead of various sizes and shapes, scrapers, and two large (approx. 7.5 cm.) items resembling plumb bobs.

   Bedford Historical Society Museum Collection

   Record Type: Object

   
5. Print, Photographic - Modern reprint of group photo, schoolchildren and teachers on steps of Old Town Hall, 1886. All identified on back of photo. Seems to be another shot of group shown in P1976.24.2b. Written on back: "Photo by Chas. O. Hodgeman [sic] -- 1886. Left to right. "Standing: Louise Whicher (teacher), Eugene Laws, Frank Cary, Chas. Kenrick, Win Fitch, Lizzie Webber, Annie McGovern, Katie Nevill, Alice Johnson, Alice Fitch, Edith Hartwell, Fannie Piper, Jennie Cutler, Lottie Cory, Mallie Lawrence, Miss Merriman (teacher). "2nd row - (seated): Gorham Pearson, Ernest Lane, Fred Laws, Henry Nevill, Mary Conners, May Wood, Bertha Ramsdell, Lenore Flint, Lena Hunter, Mary Haynes, Maggie Kelley. (standing): Fannie L. Wood, Alice Ramsdell. "3rd row: Howard Wood, Will Kane, John Blake, Delia Kelley, Florence Skilton, Olive Webber, Jennie Murray, Fannie A. Wood, Rachel Ford, Grace Russell, Edie Blake, Ada Corey, Mary Dutton."

   2005.026.9

   Record Type: Photo

   
6. Print, Photographic - School group 1886. Children and teachers on steps of building. Label on front: "Chas. O. Hodgman, Bedford, Mass." Written on back: "Mrs. Blinn." Also, negative of same picture, courtesy of Raytheon. Also, photocopy of letter from Alfred Webber, brother of Alden Webber, naming all the children in teachers in the photo, with biographical details. Information had been provided by their mother, Edith Hartwell. Same as image 2005.026.9 and 2015.008.034

   P1976.24.2b

   Record Type: Photo