Featured Artifact of the Week

Printing Plate

Printing Plate (Printed)
As Printed in 1937 Magazine
Printing Plate
Original
From the Collection

10″x101/4” printing plate of the historical Nashoba Valley Apple Belt, which was a 75 mile stretch through Groton, Ayer, Harvard, Bolton, Maynard, Littleton, and Westford. The plate was associated with the Nashoba Apple Blossom Festival’s 1937 magazine. It was created by etching the image onto metal. and then nailed onto the wood block. A monotype plate, it was designed to be placed alongside preset words on a printing press.

The festival was originally held in Westford in 1935. It was re-organized by the Westford Kiwanis organization in 1968, as a major event that now includes a parade, a carnival, and fireworks. The festival is celebrated mostly just in Westford today, always occurring in mid-May.*

The plate was donated in 1983 by Westford’s J.V. Fletcher Library.

The Apple Blossom Festival takes place on the 2nd Saturday after the first Monday of May. This eccentric scheduling originated from when Town Meeting was held the Saturday after May elections. The festival was held the following Saturday. Even though the scheduling of the town meeting no longer follows the historical pattern, the tradition of the festival scheduling continues.

W.1983.13.6