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
Photograph From the Collection Black and white polaroid of Arthur Pellerin standing in front of Westford Hardware on Broadway Street, at the corner of 3rd Street, in Graniteville. His wife,
Featured Artifact of the Week
Photograph From the Collection Black and white photo of Zoologist Charles Otis Whitman (1842-1910) from 1910. After graduating Bowdwin College, he was the Preceptor (Principal) of Westford Academy from 1868
Featured Artifact of the Week
Drawing From the Collection Framed, original pencil drawing on tissue paper of the memorial fountain at Westford Center from 1913. It is one of several monuments placed there before WWI.
Featured Artifact of the Week
Footlocker From the Military Exhibit Black-colored, wood footlocker that belonged to Wayland Francis Balch (1839 – 1937) of Westford. The container is labeled “W.A.B. 1864.” He was the last surviving
Featured Artifact of the Week
From the Collection Game Checker game in a red folding case styled like a leather-bound book (4.5″ x 4.5″ x 1″). Wooden board with holes for checker pegs in a
Featured Artifact of the Week
Photograph From the Collection Black and white photo from 1925 of Viola Merriam Day (1911-2007) who was the dau. of Arthur E. Day and Angie Emerline Parfitt Ingraham (1910-1995) standing
Featured Artifact of the Week
Photograph Photograph on cardstock of Lydia Arabella “Belle” Walker (1842-1924). She was the daughter of Josiah Walker (1809-1898) and Lydia Duncan Hurd (1810-1834). Originally from Natick, the family moved to
Featured Artifact of the Week
Group Photograph From the Collection Group black and white photo showing women from multiple Westford families, including Atwood. It was taken no later than 1935. Sisters Sarah Caroline “Carry” Atwood
Featured Artifact of the Week
From the Collection Postcard 1913 postcard with a hand-colored picture of Bradford St. in the Forge Village section of Westford. The card was published by L.L. Lester, Lowell, MA. It