WHS to receive $120,000 grant from Mass Cultural Council. We’re very pleased to report that WHS has been awarded a $120,000 Mass Cultural Council Capital Grant for necessary upgrades to our building. After a year-long planning process, we are moving forward with improvements to the building’s HVAC system, insulation, restrooms, basement, and accessibility. Resolving humidity issues throughout the building, especially in the basement, will allow us to better protect, manage and preserve the archival materials that Worthington families have so generously donated over the decades.
We believe this building in the heart of Worthington Corners is pivotal to community vitality and worth safeguarding for future generations. We are deeply grateful to those who worked to get the structure built thirty years ago and honor their legacy by taking these next steps.
The Board next needs to raise another $45,000 of matching funds to complete these significant upgrades to the building.
We are grateful for this extraordinary support from Mass Cultural Council!
18th-century bench-style desk donated to Capen Schoolhouse. WHS is custodian of the historic Capen Schoolhouse on Dingle Road (Rte. 112), which now holds this lovely bench-style desk donated by James S. Downey and Kevin R. O’Connor. The desk was reportedly salvaged from a schoolhouse that was demolished in Dana, Massachusetts, in the late 1930s to make way for the Quabbin Reservoir. The desk sat languishing in a barn in Colrain until it was auctioned in 1998.
In memory of Jim Dodge. Jim Dodge, who passed away in April 2025, was a former board member of WHS and a familiar and most welcome presence at WHS events. (He also served the Town of Worthington on the Conservation Commission, Fire Department, and Westfield River Committee.) Jim volunteered in the construction of our building in the late 1990s. Later, he led a wonderful backwoods ramble to historical sites behind his property on River Road. At one of our annual meetings Jim delivered a fascinating presentation on his former neighbor, the renowned painter Lyder Frederickson. His article based on the presentation can be found here.
We are deeply grateful for contributions we’ve received in Jim’s memory from Suzan Ballmer, Eileen Daneri, the DeFalco/Lippert family, the Feakes family, Dot Hague, Abigail Kingman, Janice and Mei Mei Robinson, Michael and Karyl Stachowicz, Barbara and Bob Sweeney, and others.
Lafayette lives. Great thanks to the Lafayette Committee, and to co-chairs Evan Johnson and Pamela Wicinas, for the Lafayette 200th Anniversary Celebration of 2025, a roaring success.
Fifty years after first arriving to serve with the Continental Army, General Lafayette stopped overnight in Worthington, Massachusetts, while on his 1825 goodwill visit to all twenty-four states. As the “Nation’s Guest” the General was welcomed with affection and gratitude and his tour was of immense importance to the young United States. His visit highlighted the achievements of the Revolution and provided a contemporary window into the country’s progress.
Read recent posts in our WHS Journal online. Recent articles include a remembrance of the beloved Worthington teacher Helen Magargal, an exploration of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit to Worthington, and The Benevolent Women of Worthington in the Kitchen, exploring the food customs of over a century ago as revealed in the Worthington Cook Book. Other articles cover Frankie’s Place in West Worthington, town legend Guy Thrasher, and vintage Worthington postcards. Select from our long list of articles here.
Donation of Russell H. Conwell materials. The family of John and Marion Sweeney has donated a massive, privately printed, three-volume biography of RHC along with one of his signature stamps and other materials. Other recent donations are listed on our membership and donations page.
Membership Drive. 2025 was a busy year as usual for our all-volunteer board. We helped with genealogical inquiries, organized an expedition for the R. H. Conwell School, digitized hundreds of historical documents, and made our digital archive more accessible. Please join our organization and support our core mission of preserving Worthington history at our membership and donations page.
WHS Facebook group! Our Facebook discussion group is bustling, with 1000 members and counting. Here is the link to join the group and share photos and memories.
DVD Interview with Rolande & Robert Schrade. In the interview, recorded in 2008 at the Academy in South Worthington, the Schrades discuss moving to Worthington, purchasing the Academy building, their musical dynasty, and their renowned summer concert series, Sevenars. The 68-minute DVD, produced by Edward & Helen Pelletier, also includes a tour of the Academy’s three floors. The DVD is available for $30 (proceeds divided equally between WHS, the Pelletiers, and the Schrade family) by downloading an order form at our Publications & DVDs page or by contacting us at contact@worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org.