Everyday Kids
(Under construction)
As countless residents have discovered over the years, Sherborn is a wonderful place to be a kid. Yes, oftentimes young folk lament the hometown "nothing to do" doldrums, and not everyone finds a comfort zone in such a small community. But for so many others past & present, childhood in Sherborn has flourished due to strong community relationships combined with open spaces, ballfields, forests, bodies of water, superb schools and more, all of which have rendered the town a pretty special place for sub-adults. And generations have felt this way, as we can see though the evidence lens of time, including photos, letters, journals, newspaper articles and much more
Timeline: local kids over time
Pre-1800: childhood before childhood
1800-1860: all work and little play
1861-1865: the Civil Warriors​​​​​​​​​​​​
October 1861: As the Civil War broke out, "The scholars of District No. 2", led by co-editresses Martha A. Dowse and Lydia P. Lathrop, wrote and published The Wreath, a wonderful glimpse into the world of young folks during an extreme national crisis. To read their work, hit this link, which will take you to the "My Old School" page, where the full PDF waits.
1862: Here's an interesting look into one teenager's world during the war. SHC&M's Doug Brown stumbled across a rare collection at the New England Antiquarian Society, 15 year old Lewis Leland's The Illustrated News, his interpretation of a Harper's Weekly of the time (more at the Local Projects link)​​​​​​​
1866-1900: industrious children​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
1870 +/- (left): The old Center School, colorized. Back reads "Center School, Washington St.
Teacher Deborah Perry Dowse"
1890: Back reads "1890 Southwest School Sherborn Mass
Teacher: Miss Alice Fletcher had 9 scholars"
1901-1920: American centurians​​​​
1921-1930: The Roarless '20's
1929: Miss Eunice and Miss Alice Dowse were quite a remarkable pair, as teens and as adults! (Boston Herald 12/151929)
1931-1940: Depressed youngsters
1934+: This is an absolutely wonderful account of life as a Sherborn kid during the Depression years and beyond. Philip Baker's recollections and engaging writing style make this a true treat! This link will bring you to the Local Projects page where the entire PDF is ready for you.
1941-1945: the war effort
1946-1960: Cold War & Boomers​​​​​​​​​​​​​
1958: Center School Easter Parade (right) and "Center School Easter Parade winners" (below)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
1959: With but three TV channels, entertainment came in many other shapes and sizes back in the mid 20th century. In these two shots, local kids marvel as Unity Hall moves from its original location, just slightly down the hill from the Community Center/UU Church on 27, to what's now Unity Farm. What a scene!
1961-1970:
1963: Miss Olsen and Miss Freniere (later Mrs. Akeley), epic Pine Hill School kindergarten combo. Maybe a few familiar faces there in this Boston Herald photograph (3/10/1963)
1971-1980:
1973: Back in the early 70's, a group of kids led by Rary Delaney held a "Backyard Carnival" to benefit the Leukemia Foundation. Through TV programs like Zoom, kids could mail away for a how-to package of materials, plan the event, build homemade games & attractions, and call in the masses! Bike riders from the area would come with their spare change and enjoy a day of fun. Like so many site videos, this one originates with the persistent, and at times annoying (at least to his offspring), 8mm lens of Bob Delaney.
1978: Springtime outfits for the Wirth sisters, Pretty sure that's Winnie and Whitney (Shirley?) Herald, 5/11/1978
Late 1970's: Sledding at Pine Hill, best run in town? (Eliot Taylor slide)
1980: Two months into the Iranian hostage crisis (11/4/1979-1/20/1981), a group of politically active junior high kids in the Wood Road/Page Farm neighborhood staged a protest and the Boston Herald snapped a shot (Herald, 1/16/1980)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
1981-2000:
2001-today