The Westford Historical Society Westford, Massachusetts 14 June 2008 (Saturday) 11 am to 1 pm (same day as the STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL on the Town Common, parking at the Congregational Church, J V Fletcher Library, Westford Town Hall, Roudenbush Community Center. Come early, enjoy the Festival, then a short walk to the Atwood House) $5/ticket for Society Members, $7/ticket for non-members [List Members who are interested, are welcome to park at MY house, and walk to the tour. Contact me, Brad Potts brad.potts@mindspring.com.] Atwood-Millett House Tour On Saturday June 14 the Westford Historical Society will provide house tours at the historic Atwood-Millett house at 4 Graniteville Road. The Victorian house retains most of its original architectural features. Although it will be emptied of its contents, the Historical Society will feature various displays highlighting objects from the house and information on the family members who lived there. Daniel and Carolyn Atwood moved to Westford in 1858 from Pelham with five children and Carolyn's father, Edward Carlton of Methuen, and lived on the "Nashoba Farm" at the corner of Hildreth Street and Concord Road. Their sixth child, Mary "May" Atwood was born here in 1860, and their children attended the Westford schools. Daniel and Edward were deacons in the Union Congregational Church, and Daniel also served as its treasurer. In 1878, when Daniel retired from farming, they built the house at 4 Graniteville Road. The barn housed their carriage and horses. The Victorian style home is typical of the period, and it is obvious from papers and objects left in the house that the family enjoyed social occasions, trips to Florida and overseas, and church activities. When Daniel and Carolyn passed on, their three unmarried daughters, Carrie, Lilly and May, lived in the house. Carrie was the choir director at the Congregational Church, Lilly served as its Treasurer after her father's death, and May was the church organist. May Atwood is probably the most remembered in town. She was the benefactor of the Mary Atwood Lecture Fund at the J.V. Fletcher Library, and the upstairs meeting room is named for her. After Carrie and Lilly died in the 1940s, May invited her niece, Grace Millett, and her family to live in the Westford house with her. Grace, her husband Nathan and their son Bill joined May in the house. After 1951, Grace and Bill lived together in the house. Bill, a World War II Navy veteran, was an artist and used the barn as his studio space to paint portraits. His works also include landscapes in oil, pastel and watercolor. Bill Millett lived in the house until his death last November. He was known to many people about town as the ma! n who walked everywhere. Bill frequented the library where he sketched and shared stories with other patrons. The Westford Historical Society is grateful to the heirs of the Atwood-Millett estate who have been very generous in providing this unique opportunity to tour one of Westford Center's historic 19th century homes and in sharing the history of the family with the town. Doors will be open 11am-1pm. Tickets are $5 for adult members of the Historical Society, $7 for non-members. Students and seniors are offered a $2 discount. Children under 13-years are admitted free with an adult. No parking is available at the house, but it is within easy walking distance from Westford Center parking areas.