Each week, Westford Museum Researcher, Jeff Henry, chooses an artifact or group of artifacts from the collection of the Westford Museum and shares it with you.
Jeffrey M. Henry moved from Sandy Hook, CT, to Westford, MA, with his family in the fall of 1996. In 2005, he graduated from Westford Academy, with interests in archaeology, history, and mythology. He went on to major in anthropology (archaeology specialization) and minor in history at Franklin Pierce University, graduating in 2009. A year prior, he began to volunteer at the Westford Historical Society and Museum. His first project involved cataloging the Atwood collection. After participating in archaeological excavations in Maine and Massachusetts, he primarily worked in museums from 2010 to 2018. His literature review and analysis on the subject of the Westford Knight, The Signpost: The Evolution of the Westford Knight, was first published in 2015. In 2017, he achieved his MA in history from Southern New Hampshire University. He transitioned his career into public libraries by 2019, later achieving his MS in Library and Information Science from Simmons University in 2022. Jeff continues to volunteer for the Westford Museum.
Featured Artifact of the Week
Button From the collection Button from a Civil War Soldier uniform that would have been worn between 1861-1865. The front reads: “Mass. Volunteer Militia.” The back reads: “Extra Quality.” The
Featured Artifact of the Week
Advertisement From the collection 10″ x 17″ calendar advertisement: “Best Wishes 1936.” A boy and his dog are also featured. The calendar is from Thomas P. Cosgrove Range and Fuel
Featured Artifact of the Week
Photograph From the collection Photograph (albumen print) taken prior to 1868, making this one of the oldest dated photographs in the collection. First developed in the mid nineteenth century, albumen
Featured Artifact of the Week
Print From the collection Laser print of the Sherman Dewey Fletcher house at 33 Main St. in 1899. Capt. Sherman Heywood Fletcher (1846-1928) of Troop F, MVM, is holding reins of
Featured Artifact of the Week
Photograph From the collection 1899 black and white photograph of the house at 55 Brookside Rd. If features Charles Smith Edwards (with horse) in his home at Brookside, which is
Featured Artifact of the Week
Site Plan From the Collection One of 12 surveyor plans of 62 Main St, the Donald Cameron House. They were made by Caroline M. Whitney and Smith & Brooks Civil
Featured Artifact of the Week
Wood Sign From the Medical Exhibit White painted wood sign, 60″ x 28″, with black paint for text, of the Westford Osteopathic Hospital. The hospital was run by Dr. Ralph
Featured Artifact of the Week
Quilt From the colletion Quilt entitled “Town of Westford 2008,” made by the Nashoba Quilters as a gift to the Town of Westford. It measures 90″ wide and 87″ high.
Featured Artifact of the Week
Needle Holder From the collection Handmade needle book made for Emily Augusta Fletcher (1819-1901), grandmother of Gertrude (1877-1969) and Julia Fletcher (1879-1965), from around 1900. It was made from punched