SOUTHBOROUGH – History can be found all over the Southborough Library – on the shelves, on the walls, in cabinets.
Even in the bottom of a box of donations.
While sorting through the box that an anonymous donor had dropped off about a year ago, library staff came across a “Monopoly”-style game board depicting local businesses.
This “Game of Southborough” came with game pieces, rules, play money – even dice.
It also had a message from Southborough Organization for Schools, the game’s sponsor.
The game was produced sometime during the 1980s; many of the businesses on the board no longer exist, such as Hendries and the Bullwinkle Pub.
So what does one do with a piece of local history? Library Director Ryan Donovan said the game will be added to the standing collection of artifacts at the library.
The collection currently includes a sign from the Southborough Drug hanging on a wall.
According to Donovan, the donor – Charles Margaritis – had stopped by the library in 2019 to donate the sign. Had the library refused, the sign would have been brought to the transfer station.
Just around the corner, shelves contain yearbooks and town reports. Donovan said these items are very popular with researchers.
Near the library’s main entrance stand cabinets containing more of Southborough’s past. These include a can of lard from Deerfoot Farm, a typewriter, a piece of masonry from the original sign, plates and more.
Donovan would like to see the collection in its own secure, climate-controlled space. To that end, the library will be heading to this spring’s Town Meeting to request funds to plan and design an expansion for the library.
The Southborough Library is at 25 Main St. Hours are Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
For information, call 508-485-5031 or visit www.southboroughlib.org.
