The fascinating history of Worcester illustrated through old and modern pictures.

Author Kenneth J. Moynihan chronicles the fascinating early history of this bustling junction town and offers readers a front-row view of Worcester's dramatic, nearly forgotten past. The Nipmuc Indians destroyed the first settlement at Worcester in 1675. A second attempt was made in the 1680s, but a permanent settlement did not take root until 1713. Worcester's first citizens battled French and Indian enemies and endured a succession of political, ethnic and religious rivalries. How did the Nipmuc deal with the English threat? How did settlers cope with changes in economic and political life after the Revolution? For the first time in 170 years, a historian takes a fresh look at the history of early Worcester.

By the late nineteenth century, Swedish immigrants began arriving by the thousands in New England, attracted by the area's heavy industry. In particular, the steel and ceramic shops of Worcester provided a livelihood for many of them. As a result, new areas of Swedish settlements developed throughout the surrounding towns. Swedes of Greater Worcester captures the area's Swedish heritage through a collection of images that displays everything from vintage weddings to ski-jumping events and stories known only by the families of the Swedes who first traveled to Worcester. These images represent a time when the Swedish element was a vital and vibrant part of the identity of the greater Worcester area.

Worcester is the second largest city in the state of Massachusetts and was an industrial mill town—which made it the home to numerous mills, factories, three-deckers, and immigrants from different countries. Located in the central part of the state, this city thrives in harmony with its people where some of them are famous athletes, poets, actors, politicians and inventors. In this city, author Robert Pitchman was born and in his book, The Boy From Worcester, he honestly and unflinchingly relates his journey through life and survival. In this book, Pitchman reveals the story of his life with no holds barred. He is Worcester-born who, due to circumstances beyond his control and being an only child, was forced to survive on his own. At the age of six years old, his parents got divorced, which eventually led him to live in an orphanage just outside Worcester. When he was 15 years old, he went back to live with his mother and to survive by his own wits. In this city, he witnessed the various phases of development through the mills, factories, different enterprises, and cultural diversity—including the segregation that was apparent during that time. He had seen the city’s historical evolution, the success and fame of many individuals in various fields, and the invention of many useful things that are relevant to the world. This book is not an ordinary recounting of the author’s life of struggles growing up, it also highlights the people and culture of Worcester’s people, their unique norms and practices, the social interaction, and the numerous occurrences that help Pitchman shape his life. This was the city where he grew up, and became a man. Worcester is the city he loved, and, this is his story.

Worcester, with its diverse economic base, has been known as the Heart of the Commonwealth” for over 100 years.

This little guide takes the reader on a tour of the city, capturing the iconic sights in bygone days.

A fully illustrated look back in time at Worcester showing how life in the city has changed over the last century.