Rutland Historical Society

06/19/2026

Original Proprietors of Rutland

While some common names in town go back to the original proprietors, there are many on this list that haven’t been seen in these parts in quite some time.

06/18/2026

06/17/2026

Coaching Day, August 1905

Popular around and before the turn of the 20th century, Coaching Days were major events in town!

06/16/2026

The Rutland Diner

Does anyone remember Raymond and Lorraine Doolittle’s Rutland Diner?
Living nearby on Sunnyside Ave., it appears that the dinner had multiple break-ins as the merchandise and the money proved to be as popular as the food.

06/15/2026

North Rutland
Two Perspectives

These two photos were taken in the late 1920s near the intersection of Intervale Road and what is now RT 68.

FIRST PHOTO

The first photo shows Moulton Pond on the far left and an out-building that apparently occompanied the mill, which was across East County Road (now RT 68). Debris from the demolition of mill housing owned by the Moulton family can be seen in front of Moulton Pond in the lower left.
Through the legs of the water tower is the house on Davis Street that was owned by a millworker (William Locke), and later by the Bashaw family, and then by a member of the Handy family. A wrap around porch would be added to the house, which became a gathering place for many of the teenagers who lived in the village.
The road in the center of the photo leads up the hill, away from the village and towards what is now the intersection of RT 56 & 68.

SECOND PHOTO

This is a photo of the mill at North Rutland.
For perspective, the same out-building can be seen on the left. The watertower is of course common to both photos.
The street that passes across the photo is Intervale Road.

06/14/2026

1922 Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Team

It looks like the photo was taken in front of the stage in the old Red School? The net in the background was probably used to keep the ball from going onto the stage and delaying the game.
There shoes are starting to resemble modern basketball hi-tops.
What else can you gather from this image?

06/12/2026

Join us for our Fourth of July Lemonade Social
Sunday, June 28th, 2026 at Rutland Historical Society
1-3 PM.
Location- The Wood House, 232 Main St.,Rutland
Join us for our annual Lemonade Social and this year’s special exhibit! Enjoy yummy treats and cool off with a glass of fresh lemonade while you learn about the rich cultural history of our town’s Finnish American residents and Rutland’s Sovittaja Park/Finn Park who are celebrating their 100th Anniversary! Follow them - Finnish Heritage Society Sovittaja for their schedule of events at their beautiful Sovittaja Park location!

06/12/2026

April 1926
The Moment of Truth

Gow vs. Goodnough
Boston vs. Worcester
Swift River vs. Ware River Valley
Reservoir vs. Diversion

In the end the Boston area politicians outmaneuvered their Central MA counterpart. Offering Worcester an option that they knew they couldn’t afford, the Boston area stole the prize.
The faith of Rutland and the towns of the Swift River Valley were sealed.

06/11/2026

New to the historical society in June is this beautiful doll from the late 1800s. Donated by the Spindler family, it belonged to Alice Thrasher Spindler, wife of William Spindler.
Alice was born in 1869 in Westfield and died in Rutland in 1959.
They lived in a small red house behind the Bob and Rosalie Spindler home on Glenwood Road. Alice came from Westfield and met William when they were both patients with TB at the State San. They married and remained in Rutland. This doll posseses a beautiful heavy porcelain head with bright blue eyes and rosy cheeks. Her dress is fragile brown cotton. Her body is cloth. It is displayed here in the carriage from the Mattie Smith estate.
William Spindler was the farm manager at the State San and would walk from Glenwood Road every day to go to work.
Diane Spindler, who donated the doll, said her grandmother kept the doll in a cupboard and did not let the grandchildren play with her. Which is why we have it now!!

06/10/2026

One Eyed Chauffeur

July 8, 1937
While the word on the street was quite different as to how this tragedy occurred, it reminds us to play safely this July 4th season.