Submitted by the Bedford Historical Society
This building, now the Town Center, was constructed in 1891. The name “Union” refers to the fact that it replaced the separate schools that had existed in each of the town’s four quarters and in the center.
Bedford Resident Wallace G. Webber, a founder of the Paine Webber investment firm, was the chairman of the building committee. An elaborate dedication ceremony on December 31, 1891 included signing by the school children and professional singers; a scripture reading and prayers; addresses by various officials; and a lecture on the history of Bedford schools by Abram English Brown.
The photo showing the front view is from a hand-colored postcard of “Union Schoolhouse, Bedford, Mass.” and was printed in Germany by the United Art Publishing Company of New York City. The back view was taken by Charles W. Jenks, to accompany his donation of money to construct a new fence for the schoolyard.
These photos are brought to you courtesy of the Bedford Historical Society. The Society was founded in 1893 and exists today to preserve Bedford’s history. Learn more about the Society at its web page, www.bedfordmahistory.org or on its Facebook page. Visit the Historical Society in its archives in the Bedford Police Station. Contact the Society by email at [email protected] or call 781-275-7276 for hours or directions.
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