Who is the Town of Reading? We are all ages, backgrounds, histories, and perspectives – we all have our own story. All of Reading was invited to bring in photos to added to the collection. Participants also had the option to “tell the story” behind the photos on video.
Two days after we (The Carey’s) moved to Reading in August 2015, we got a welcome card in our mailbox from two of the little girls, Chloe and Sam, (our daughter Marlie’s age) who live down the street. You’ll notice they drew a map of the street to show where each house is so Marlie would know where to find them. We now have the card-drawing framed in our parlor.
Contributor's brother took the picture of the memorial obelisk. In May (28th?) of 2011 some of the descendants of Rev. Samuel Whiting got together at the Western Burying Ground in Lynn to celebrate the 375th anniversary of the arrival of Rev. Whiting in the Lynn area. At the time (1636), the area was known as Saugust - but they changed the name to Lynn in honor of Rev. Whiting, because he had come from Kings Lynn in Norfolk, England. Attendees of the 2011 gathering included descendants, members of the Lynn Historical Commission, as well as the first church in Lynn, now the First Church of Christ in Lynn, Congregational. The territory that is now Reading was part of Lynn, so some of the original European residents of Reading in 1639 would have known Rev. Whiting.
4 West Street MobilGas rebuilt in 1962 behind the original. At this time Hanson family house moved to 26 South Street ,which became 26 Border Road. Jay Leno bought his first car here in 1964 at age 14, a 1934 Ford Truck.
4 West Street prior to lube pit being covered by moving garage over it, a small office building moved closer to house, and connecting showroom between garage and office.
Photographer unknown, but almost certainly with contributor's camera (etc.). Carolyn Whiting [contributor] and Louis Ventola with Sweetie in the window. From Fall of 1993. Sweetie was Carolyn Whiting's brother's cat until Carolyn adopted her. The foundation of the house was probably built in 1917 (the water service line went in in 1917, and first appears in the town street list in 1917 as being on Park Street). Originally the house had no number on Park Street, but would become 7 Park Street. They then changed the name of the street, and the house address became 7 Chestnut Road. Between 1936 and 1937, they renumbered many of the houses in Reading, and this house became 17 Chestnut Road. As far as the contributor (Carolyn) knows, the house in the photograph was built in 1947, and so is a bit older than the contributor herself. Carolyn bought the house in January 1985. Carolyn changed the color of the trim from gray to purple and orchid. She painted the trim not knowing that Reading would be using the same colors (purple and white) to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the town. Louis came into Carolyn's life in 1992 and died of cancer in 2003.
Team photo at the Boston Garden following the championship game. Back row: Erica Sanchez, trainer; Dave Huster, asst. coach; Mark Doherty, asst. coach, Charlie Driscoll, asst. coach; Jason Penkethman, manager Players: Ryan Tierney, Nick MacDonald, Eric McNeill, Geno D'Avolio, John-Michael Leach, Tyler Silvey, Brian McCabe, Brett Sweeney, Jon Kaine, Garrett Collins, Michael Shea, Michael Lozzi, Rob Toczylowski, Quinian Junta, Patrick Kiley, Travis Busch, Sean McGoldrick, Ryan Arsenault, Brett Lepore, Bill Cataldo, Devin Albert, Jeff Wyer, Matt Stratton
Hot Spot on Haven Street served as party headquarters for the Millennium Party. Hot Spot was owned by Anna "Ace" Foulds, and closed in June 2012. It was in business for 19 years.
Souvenier button for Millennium Party December 31, 1999. Button sold as a souvenier for the Millennium Party it was also used as a fundraiser and used as an dmittance button to all downtown events.
Birch Meadow Kindergarten Class of 1997 / 1998 who were bused to a Barrows School portable classroom for the year, due to lack of space at Birch Meadow school. It was a difficult year for parents and kids.
One of the last times the RMHS band marched to the football field over the crest of Oakland Road. It was always a thrill to see them come up over the hill, as you would hear them before you would see them. After the high school renovation they no longer used this route.
