Historic leaves, volume 6, April, 1907 - January, 1908

[76] a temporary organization was then made by the choice of John S. Hayes as chairman and Dr. E. C. Booth as secretary. After remarks made by those present and letters read from prominent citizens approving the movement, it was then and there voted ‘that it is the sense of this meeting that an historical society be formed, and that a committee be appointed to formulate a plan of organization and prepare a set of by-laws and present them for approval,’ which was done in the following October, 1897 (ten years ago to-night), and one hundred and thirty-five persons paid and signed the by-laws.

Hon. George A. Bruce was elected first president, together with an efficient council, and re-elected in April following, it being our first annual meeting, though he resigned August 24, 1898, while in office. All this was called a voluntary organization, and so it was voted in regular meeting assembled that the necessary steps be taken to incorporate this body under the laws of Massachusetts; the papers were prepared and signed, and sent to the Secretary of State, and so on the third day of November, 1898, which was one year later, certain subscribers met for the purpose of reorganizing under the state charter which had been granted, and then and there adopted by-laws and elected officers for the ensuing year. Charles D. Elliot was elected president; since then we have had John F. Aver for four years and the present incumbent, Frank M. Hawes, for two years.

Step by step this little plant grew, fostered by material which very few communities are blessed with, but the leading spirit did not live long to, see the results. John S. Hayes, our first chairman and founder, died March 7, 1898, during the first year of its existence.

The first literary treat given under the auspices of the Society was by Dr. John Fiske, of Cambridge, celebrated the world over in his department. It was given in Unitarian Hall on a Sunday evening before a large audience. His subject was ‘General Lee of Revolutionary Fame,’ whose headquarters during the siege of Boston in 1775 were in the old house on Sycamore Street, where we held our meetings for some few years.

December, 1898, there was held in Union Hall, Union