Travel back to the earliest days of Woburn, when life was simple and farming was the chief occupation of its settlers. Then, continue your journey as Woburn transforms itself into a small industrialized city on the brink of the twentieth century. Founded in 1640 by ateam of seven able men from Charlestown, Woburn grew, prospered, recorded, and documented its history, providing a legacy for generations to come. Through the weaving of stories and photographs, we witness this growth and marvel at the transformation of village to city. As you delve into these intimate glimpses of Woburn, you will be introduced to rare photographs of Civil War combatants and view significant historical documents, such as the "Bloody Butchery" broadside, which details the battles of Lexington and Concord replete with Woburn heroes. You will be mesmerized by the old-time photographs of landmarks such as "Busy Bend" and "Horn Pond." You will see a Woburn "celebrated for its greenhouses, tanneries, and ice-cutting industries." And you will meet Woburn'scelebrities: the famous, the not so famous, and the infamous.
Author Kathleen M. O'Doherty is the director of the Woburn Public Library. In these pages, she takes you on a colorful journey through Woburn's past to relish the magic of small-town charm in a pictorial history that will leave you nostalgic for another time, whether you are a Woburnite or a first-time visitor.