The
Westford Museum is located in the original Westford Academy school
house, built in 1792. With the opening of the new Westford Academy
building (now the Roudenbush Community Center) in 1897, the old academy
building was used as a residence until 1917 when it was then moved
across and down the street and converted to a firehouse and used by the
Westford Fire Department until 1974.
During the bicentennial celebrations of 1976, the old
Academy building was earmarked as a perfect site for a Town Museum.
Fundraising was begun with a vengeance, and the town responded
magnificently with gifts of both money and time. The list of
contributors and helpers is endless and the Museum's goal of $4,700 was
reached by December 1980. Students at Nashoba Valley Technical High
School began the rehabilitation work, which included corrections to the
stairways, changes in the heating system, interior doors, flooring,
interior and exterior painting and a host of other essential works.
But disaster struck on May 15, 1981, when lightning
tore apart the ancient cupola, destroying all the wiring, and setting
fire to the basement. The building filled with smoke and many windows
were broken to let out the smoke. Fund-raising was once again the
Museum's top priority, and the town responded generously for the second
time in a year!
One Westford family, upon the death of their father,
George St. Onge, asked that instead of flowers, contributions be sent
to the Westford Museum for a flower garden at the side of the
building. This was done and the garden is tended every year by
the Westford Garden Club.
The Museum was finally opened in the spring of 1983 and
has given continuous education and enjoyment to residents and visitors
alike.
