Shirley Historical Society

05/22/2026

Thank you Bill, Mary, John, Barb, and Jackie for getting Schoolhouse #8 cleaned up for its Open House on Saturday afternoon.
This building is on Church St., next to the War Memorial building, and will welcome visitors after the Memorial Day parade and ceremonies.
Sit in an antique desk and take a Shirley 250th History Quiz - just for the fun of it.
Thank you voters for approving the CPA funding to repair the ceiling and exterior brickwork.

05/09/2026

LOOK UP THE HILLSIDE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF LEOMINSTER ROAD FOR THIS MARKER.
Shirley was actually part of the Groton Plantation for one hundred years.
At one time, the Shirley Selectmen would walk the town bounds to make sure they were correct.
One of the corners that the Selectmen measured from was the old granite post showing the corner of old Groton. The post is still there, marking the border between Shirley and Lunenburg. It is visible from the roadway. Have you seen it?

04/29/2026

YARD SALE SATURDAY
May 2, 2026 starting at 8:00 am
Shirley Historical Society
182 Center Road
RAIN OR SHINE - Inside and Outside
Restrooms available and chili for sale

For a complete list of town sales, go here
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04/13/2026

Samson Cordage Works started producing rope in Shirley in 1888 and remained a major employer in Shirley for over 100 years.
Their headquarters is now in the state of Washington, but Shirley Historical Museum still has a large collection of Samson photos, blueprints, floorplans, and rope samples.
The recent trip around the moon reminds us of how our rope has been used.
1962: Since the Friendship Space program, Samson double-braided ropes have been used to retrieve NASA space capsules
1972: Samson Nystron double-braid rope became the first synthetic fiber rope used to moor an oil tanker to a loading Buoy in the North Sea.
1977: The first flight of NASA’s Space Shuttle used lightweight, high-strength Samson ropes to operate the shuttle’s cargo bay doors.
2026: The ropes holding the “front porch” to Orion MIGHT have been Samson rope. NASA has neither confirmed nor denied.

04/01/2026

It's that time again!
The Shirley Historical Society is collecting good slightly-used items for the All Town Spring Yard Sale on Saturday May 2nd.
Donors can bring items to the Museum, 182 Center Road on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays between 10 am and 1 pm.
No clothes, books, or large heavy items.
Note that there will be yard sales around Devens on the same day.

If you want to have your own yard sale, and have your address listed, contact Rosie at [email protected].

03/23/2026

The Shirley Historical Society had a wonderful turnout at yesterday's Women's History Month Tea.
The program featured the stories of four Shirley women who led revolutionary lives.
Pictured are Marie Elwyn reading from the letters of political activist Shirley Lawton Houde (1897-1986) and Betsy Colburn Mirkovic reading from the writings of naturalist, poet, and editor Sarah Edgarton Mayo (1819-1848).
Other readings came from the works of Helen Winslow (1851-1938) club woman, author, and feminist, and Hazel MacKaye (1880 - 1944) suffragette and dramatist.
The Historical Society Museum at 182 Center Road has a large collection of books by these women and other Shirley authors.
The Museum is open for visitors, researchers, and volunteers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.

03/21/2026

Sunday March 22nd at 2:00 pm come to the Shirley Historical Society Museum, 182 Center Road in Shirley for tea and cookies and readings from four revolutionary Shirley women:
Helen Winslow, Shirley Lawton Houde, Sarah Edgarton Mayo, and Hazel MacKaye.

03/14/2026

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03/11/2026

In 1977, Tree Warden Rolf Boutilier put a plaque on a large elm tree on Main Street. Almost 50 years later, the plaque and the tree are gone.
Witnessing the commemoration were (left to right) Grange members Lucy Longley, Gordon and Ellen Hitchings, Dot Carlson, Loraine Owens, and Selectman Ralph Sciolla on the far right. In the background is the large brick Davis Block building.
In the other photo, the huge elm tree is on the right, located where the parking is for the current Village Pizza.
On the left had been the Bradford and Heard Insurance agency. On their front lawn was the small glass building with our antique fire wagon on display.

03/09/2026

In the 1800's this part of Shirley was called Woods Village. The Woods brothers had a sawmill and associated businesses in this area. Several mill owners were harnessing the Mulpus brook to power their workshops.
From Ayer, head west on Great Road (route 2A) As soon as you pass the school buses, look on your left. You might be able to see through the woods before the leaves come back on the trees and you will see what remains of the old dam.