History & Culture
In Town
West Boylston Historical Society
The West Boylston Historical Society has been researching and preserving the town's unique history for over 30 years. The society's headquarters are at the circa 1770s Bigelow Tavern, currently used to house historic documents and West Boylston memorabilia. The Tavern's ell is being renovated for use as a museum and research center. The Historical Society, including a Museum Store, is open every Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
West Boylston's most famous resident is Robert Bailey Thomas, the founder of the Old Farmer's Almanac in print since 1792. Thomas also served as the first Town Clerk in 1808. The Town's National Register of Historic Places properties include the Bigelow Tavern Historic District, the Oakdale Village Historic District, the Quinapoxet River Bridge at Thomas Street and the iconic Old Stone Church.
West Boylston Arts Foundation
The West Boylston Arts Foundation was founded to help sustain the West Boylston Public Schools' arts education program and to invigorate the district's arts programs by providing children with field trips to museums and music and drama performances. The WBAF sponsors arts programs (art workshops, summer theater, etc.) plus fundraising performances such as the 2011 ARTS ROCK! Summer Concerts, which were held on Saturday nights in June, July & August at the West Boylston High School football field at Goodale Park.
Beaman Memorial Public Library
The Beaman Memorial Public Library has been serving the residents of West Boylston since 1912, when it housed a collection of 8,000 books. The facility has grown greatly over the years to assist the town's almost 8,000 residents plus another 2,000 non-residents, including a $2.5 million renovation and expansion in 1999. Today, it is a modern facility that "provides room for future growth, accommodates new technologies and offers the public a comfortable and welcoming place" to read, research, use the Internet, hold meetings and enjoy the library's many programs.
Nearby
Worcester Art Museum
World-renowned for its collections which span more than fifty centuries, the Worcester Art Museum features must-see masterpieces, classes for adults and children, dining at the Museum Café and a Museum Shop.
Mechanics Hall
Mechanics Hall is recognized worldwide as an acoustical masterpiece. Mechanics Hall hosts world-class performers, international classical orchestras, jazz legends, folk and acoustic heroes and recording artists.
Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts presents world-class theater, music and entertainment events in a beautifully restored historic theater in Worcester. Broadway performances, comedy, concerts of all kinds, ballet, dance, opera, children's and civic events are staged here. The wide breadth of programming aims to satisfy an array of tastes, interests and age groups.
DCU Convention Center
A state-of-the-art Arena & Convention facility, the DCU Convention Center hosts concerts, sporting events, family shows, conventions, trade shows, meetings and banquets. It is also the home of the professional hockey team, the Worcester Sharks.