Westborough – As part of Westborough’s 300th anniversary celebration, R. Christopher Noonan, historic preservationist and historic real estate specialist, will lead an architectural tour, “Vintonville: Immigrant Workers to International Business,” Saturday, Sept. 16, from 1-3 p.m.
The soundtrack will be provided by Luanne Crosby on ukulele, singing her 300th anniversary song, a tribute to the town’s evolution, and other relevant compositions adding some musical fun to the festivities.
Around the 1820s and 1830s, reflecting a national trend, the railroad (Boston-Worcester) and canal (Blackstone Canal) systems were developed in Central Massachusetts by the first wave of Irish immigrants. As the mid-19th century approached, the Irish rooted in neighborhoods like Vintonville and worked in the maturing boot and shoe and straw goods industries. Between 1855 and 1875, Vintonville was a Westborough enclave of the first Irish families to immigrate. By the early 20th century, Vintonville housed European immigrants from Italy, Austria, Norway, Sweden, England and Scotland, with Italians as the majority of property owners by 1920.
Vintonville was adjacent to the manufacturing district defined by South, Cottage, Green, Beachmont and Beech streets. Most of the historic residential neighborhood is defined by a series of mid- to late-19th century modest homes. Greek revival, Italianate and Queen Anne-style details broadcast the architectural intent of the homes with the neighborhood built out by 1896.
Vintonville had a few interesting commercial properties, a cheese shop (1860) tied to the dairy industry and Westborough Saving Bank; a meat market (1860); and the Armour refrigerated warehouse on Brigham Street. A bicycle shop (1889) was influenced by evolving transportation technology; the factory converted in 1899 to Stanley Locomobile (automobile) Company. In late 1901, the same site then hosted the James Cooper Tannery processing New Zealand and Scotland sheepskins and Australian’s kangaroo skins until 1971.
These, among other sites, will be discussed along the walk. Participants will meet at Bay State Common Bandstand, 10 Union St., at 1 p.m. If heavy rain is forecast, the event will be held Sunday, Sept. 17, at the same time. Check www.westborough300.com for weather updates and a full listing of walking tours for the year.
