Watercolor
This framed watercolor, measuring 23.5″ x 19.5″, was painted by William “Bill” Atwood Millett (1922-2007) before 1970. It depicts the northern tip of the Town Common, with the town’s War Memorial visible near the bottom right. The memorial, erected in 1924, honors all the wars in which the United States has participated. Also featured near the center of the painting is the school bus garage, which was demolished around 1970 to make way for the town hall parking area. The bus, prominently displayed, was owned and driven by lifelong Westford resident Edward T. “Uncle Ed” Sullivan (1909-1980), who lived next door to the garage.
Bill Millett was a local artist who studied in Europe during his youth and was the last member of the Atwood-Carlton-Millett family in Westford. His artistic mediums included watercolors, charcoal, and acrylics. He signed his works in various ways, such as “WM” and the more traditional spelling of his last name, “Millet.” However, many of his paintings did not have a signature. After his death, Millett’s artwork was exhibited at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford and other locations until 2012. His cousin, Deborah Stein, donated much of his estate to the Westford Museum in 2008.
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