Medallion for the Lancaster Massacre
One of the unexpected treasures we discovered during our visit to the Thayer Memorial Library was the Historical Museum located on the upper floor. Established in 1863, even before the construction of Memorial Hall, the museum preserves an eclectic collection of artifacts that tell the story of Lancaster and its people. From Civil War memorabilia and Native American tools to maps, photographs, clothing, and household objects, the museum provides a fascinating glimpse into nearly four centuries of local history.
Among the objects on display was a small keepsake fashioned from what was identified as “Rowlandson Pine.” Embedded in the wood is a medallion commemorating the Lancaster Massacre of February 10, 1676, when Native warriors attacked the frontier settlement during King Philip’s War. The attack resulted in the destruction of much of Lancaster and the capture of Mary Rowlandson, whose subsequent captivity narrative, The Sovereignty and Goodness of God, became one of the earliest and most influential books published in colonial America.
The Historical Museum at the Thayer Memorial Library serves as a remarkable repository of those memories, ensuring that the people and events that shaped Lancaster continue to be remembered by future generations.
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Cornelia Van Rensselaer Thayer: Connected to a Founding Father
Among the treasures preserved in the Lancaster Historical Museum is this 1853 portrait of Cornelia Patterson Van Rensselaer Thayer, painted by renowned American artist George Peter Alexander Healy, one of the most sought-after portrait painters of the nineteenth century. What makes this portrait particularly fascinating is Cornelia’s connection to one of America’s Founding Fathers. Her mother, Margaret […]
The Birthplace of Luther Burbank
Displayed in the Lancaster Historical Museum is a photograph of the Burbank family home as it appeared in 1928. Although the house was demolished in 1936, its story did not end there. Recognizing its historical significance, Henry Ford purchased timbers and other materials from the structure and reconstructed the home in 1937 at Greenfield Village […]
Thayer Library
Another impressive building in the center of Lancaster is the Thayer Memorial Library. During our tour, we learned that the institution’s roots extend far beyond the beautiful structure that stands today. The town’s first library organization, known as the Lancaster Library and later the Lancaster Social Library, was established in 1790. In 1862, residents voted […]
