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.