history-of-hanover - Tumblr blog

[history-of-hanover]

Growing Up In Hanover

Growing up in the small town of Hanover, MA holds a very special meaning to me. Not only have my siblings and I grown up there, but both of my parents have as well. In fact, the house I live in today was my Dad’s house growing up. He has never lived anywhere else. Not even on a different street. From my childhood home, to the schools, and all the places and history that Hanover has to offer, I can confidently say that I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Not to mention its perfect location of being only about thirty-minutes outside of Boston, and roughly twenty-minutes away from the beach. 

My Dad and his friends in front of my house as teenagers.

Hanover was established in 1727, giving it almost 300 years worth of history and development. The Hanover community takes pride in all of the history we have to offer, which is why every year, the third graders in town go on a field trip in which they tour Hanover. I remember when it was my turn to take this field trip, we all stepped off the bus and got to walk around inside the Stetson House, a popular Hanover attraction written about in a previous blog. This field trip was more important than some students may remember, as I did gain a lot of my knowledge of where I’ve grown up through this tour. Learning about how our town has changed over time and historical events that have taken place has been a core memory for me from that day on.

Every year in the month of June, the town comes together for a weekend-long community event called “Hanover Day,” located at one of two elementary schools in the town. The weekend kicks off with a carnival on Friday night. Many kids get together with friends to play games, win prizes, and go on rides. On Saturday, many, many booths fill the field of Sylvester Elementary School. Small or local businesses would set up all around. People can stop by, get some merchandise, and there are even little gifts you can buy at some of the booths. When night time comes around, the community comes back together again, at the same field, for a fireworks show, a great way to end the weekend-long event. I remember attending Hanover Day in fourth grade and running into my teacher at the time. She did not live in Hanover, but she thought it would be a good way to come together with the town she teaches for. Growing up, this was always a fun town event to attend with friends and family, and it was always nice seeing people you knew.

Another great way my friends and I would spend time would be going to JC’s Ice Cream. Sports teams, families, and groups of friends would always stop by whether it was after practice, after dinner, or people were just looking for something sweet. The shop has been open since 1972 and is locatted at 812 Washington St. They offer soft serve and Gifford’s hard ice cream as well as Richie’s slush, ice cream sodas, and shakes. My personal favorite has always been coffee ice cream with some peanut butter cups on top, but they have plenty of options to choose from, such as, cookies n’ cream, strawberry, orange sorbet, coconut, mint chip, and peppermint, just to name a few. You can also choose from a variety of toppings such as jimmies, gummy bears, whipped cream, and hot fudge. Other options include milkshakes, sundaes, and slushies. My Dad and I really enjoy stopping by here in the Summer. JC’s has always been a staple to Hanover, and somewhere that many residents love to go.

One of my favorite memories growing up would probably have to be attending the high school football games on Friday nights in the fall. People of all ages would attend the games and it was always an event that the whole town would go to. From middle school all the way up through high school, my friends and I would go together and watch the games and it was always nice seeing the community come together to show their spirit for the town and support our team. Once I was older in high school, it became even more fun having friends on the team and being able to show our support for them. Students would come up with themes that the student section would follow such as white-out, Hawaiian, or western. There was always a great energy inside that field and the football games really brought everyone together.

Hanover is somewhere that will always hold a special meaning to me, as I have lived there my whole life and created so many memories. It is a great community with many great things to do and it is a very pretty town, as there are a lot of old houses to admire while you are driving through. I have always enjoyed growing up in Hanover and I cannot wait for many more years to come in the town.

[history-of-hanover]

A Taste of Hanover

Home to the very first “Marylou’s”

Hanover, MA is home to the very first Marylou’s, one of the most popular coffee shops on the South Shore. “The best coffee in town,” makes getting out of bed easy with their delicious selection of their own original flavors. Located at 211 Washington Street, you will be able to find a coffee to satisfy your every craving. With so many to choose from, you won’t be disappointed. Marylou’s will make your morning just a little bit sweeter. 

The coffee shop was started back in 1986, right in one of the most historical parts of Hanover, called “four corners.” Dating all the way back to 1856, a hotel was located in this part of town but was later torn down after World War I. The spot where the hotel was has since been turned into new shops such as baking and floral shops, and the rest of the area is surrounded by old houses, some of which even date back to the 1700s. The Marylou’s building also happens to be an old house that was converted into a coffee shop. Whether you are looking for something minty, sweet, fruity, or just a classic cup of coffee, Marylou’s has you covered. Their variety of flavors is what keeps customers coming back.

If you are looking for just a simple coffee, you can always just get black coffee and if you wuld like, you can add sweeteners or try one of their flavors, made however you like it. To name a few, you can choose from white chocolate chip, mocha mint, strawberry nut, banana nut, blueberry cinnamon, hazelnut, snickerdoodle, and many more. If you are going for something even sweeter or with all the more flavor, you can select from their “specialty” coffee menu, which includes flavors such as butterfinger, twix, peanutbutter, and almond joy. Lastly, if you are really having a sweet tooth, you can choose from the “extra specialty” menu, which I would say is their most popular menu, especially amongst the middle-high school age range, with flavors such as girl scout cookie, strawberry shortcake, minty lou, caramel lou, and many more including their signature drink, the funky fanabla, a delicious chocolatey treat. 

On top of all their coffee choices, you can also indulge in other options such as smoothies, frozen drinks, and even food such as pastries and breakfast sandwhiches. Their most popular frozen drink would have to be the oreo cookie monster, often ordered by young kids, but great for anyone to enjoy.  My personal favorite comes from the extra specialty menu and it is called the turtle, inspired by turtle chocolate clusters. It's the perfect balance of sweet and flavorful while still tasting like coffee. While the turtle is my personal favorite, I would argue that girl scout cookie is their most popular flavor. It has the perfect mint and chocolate combination, just like how you would imagine a girl scout cookie to be. Regardless of the flavor you choose, your drink will taste exactly like what it is called. With so many different coffees to try, how would you not you not want to keep coming back to try them all?

Upon entering the shop, Marylou's friendly staff will make you feel welcome. There is always a bubbly and active atmosphere that fills the building, and if you come by often enough, chances are they will definitely refer to you by name and know your order. The employees show great care towards their customers, as they will often ask them how their drink looks or if they would like anything else to be added to it. Feel free to take a seat at one of the stools by the window and chat with your friends while enjoying your cup of coffee. I have always felt welcome and comfortable when walking into a Marylou’s, and I have never left unsatisfied by the service or my order. The service is always quick and efficient and it is always a great experience each time I go.

Their pink and black color scheme that fills the store is one you would recognize anywhere. Since the Hanover shop was started back in 1986, many more locations have opened up across the South Shore, including five stores in Rhode Island, and one on Cape Cod. If you are ever visiting the South Shore of Massachusetts, Marylou’s is a place that you must visit. With so many options to choose from, I am sure you will find something you like, and want to come back for more.

[history-of-hanover]

A Look Into 57 Years In Hanover

Patricia Williams

My grandmother, Patricia Williams, age 80, has been a resident of Hanover, Massachusetts since her early twenties. Not only has she just been living there for 57 years, but she even found herself a career working for the school system back in her days of work, where she was in charge of handling the payroll at the superintendent's office. Her cape-style home has seen many changes over the years, including the progression of my grandparents' relationship where they went on to find careers in the area, raise three children, retire, and still continue to take care of their Hanover home today. When she married my grandfather, Robert, he had been working in Milton, MA. They were looking for a new location to move to and a man my grandfather worked with at the time told him about Hanover. They looked into houses in the area and immediately felt like it was their new home. It was an easy commute for my grandfather, right near the highway, filled with nice, quiet neighborhoods, and they settled in a house that eventually became their home, deciding to stay there for many years to come. She has always appreciated the sense of community that Hanover has given her, especially since her days working for the schools. She admires the history, beauty, and activity that the town has to offer, even after she has watched it evolve so much over the years. After growing up in Dorchester, she can confidently say that Hanover is her true home. As a Hanover resident myself, I wanted to hear from my grandmother how our community has changed over time.

What is your favorite part about Hanover?

My favorite part I would say is my neighborhood. I have made so many great friends living in my little neighborhood (Walnut Hill) all these years and I have always loved living here. My neighborhood hasn’t changed too much either, it still looks as nice as when it was first built.

What is your favorite historical part?

I really just love the old, colonial houses. You know I love looking at houses, and Hanover has so many nice ones to look at. I really like the Stetson House as well. I just like how many old, meaningful things there are to look at in our town.

Why did you choose to live here?

We chose to live here because your grandfather was working in Milton at the time so, it was close by enough that it was easy for him to get to work. It was close to the highway, nearby, and a friend of mine's husband was working with your grandfather and told us about the area, so we did, and we really liked it.

How has Hanover changed over time?

Over time, there have been a lot of buildings and a lot of houses that have gone on. What is now our Planet Fitness used to be a department store called, “Stones,” there was not a restaurant to be seen, and our town dump used to just be a fire that we threw our trash into. There was no mall and very few gas stations. Now, there are all these nice neighborhoods, lots of restaurants and fast food, tons of gas stations, and we have a brand new mall being put in.

How would you describe Hanover then and now?

I would say it was much quieter back then. We didn’t have as much traffic or things to do. Once the original mall went in, it got out of control with how busy everything became. Now I would say it is very busy, especially with all of our restaurants and shops.

What is one of your favorite stories from living here?There are so many to choose from. I don’t think I can think of one in particular right now, but I have always loved how my own kids decided to live here as well and raise their own kids. I love that I have been able to live close to my grandchildren and watch them grow up here too.

How did you get  your job at the superintendent's office?

I was working a different, smaller job for this man at the time and he was a higher-up who worked for the school system and he just liked me and wanted to offer me a better position so he just came up to me one day and said I would start full time on Monday. I really enjoyed just about everything at that job. I liked the people that I was working with and I liked the actual job itself. 

How long did you work there and what did you learn?

I worked that job for nineteen years. It taught me more about the community we live in, and how our town works and also just what it means to have a real job.

Did working for the schools/town change your perspective on the town?

It didn’t change my perspective too much. It was nice working for where I live and working for the school system that my children were a part of. I enjoyed who I worked with and it made me feel better about the town I was a part of.

What made you stay all these years?Your grandfather and I had just settled into our home and we liked it. I was pregnant with your mother at the time when we moved in and eventually had two more children after that, they were already in the school system, they liked it here, my husband and I liked it here. It just worked for us. We have a nice neighborhood, a good house, and just everything we need.

Would you ever consider leaving Hanover?

I have considered it before but I know I would never actually do it. I have just thought about finding a house that would match what I am looking for more, but I like living here and everything we have here. 

[history-of-hanover]

A Piece of Hanover's History

Growing up in the small town of Hanover, Massachusetts, history has always been right in my backyard. Located on the South Shore, Hanover was established in 1727 and is now made up of roughly 15,000 people today. Many houses and establishments have been around for hundreds of years, including one of Hanovers oldest houses, the Stetson house. The Stetsons were a big, middle-class family living in Hanover, who opened their house for religious services after the town's church had burned down during the 19th century.

This two and a half story, bright yellow colonial-style house was built by Samuel Stetson himself in 1716, although construction began around roughly 1694. By the 1870s, the family had run out of ownership of the house, after being owned by three successive generations of the Stetsons. The third generation had birthed and raised nineteen children, all fathered by Samuel Stetson. Samuel had been through two marriages, resulting in three children with his first wife and sixteen with his second. Some of his children even served in the Civil War. Inside the house, you will feel welcomed by the large fireplace located in the common room. In fact, this fireplace is one of six located within the house. You can also find the music room, the dining room, which was only used for special occasions, and the cozy kitchen where Mrs. Stetson would occasionally bake. 

“As one of the oldest houses in town, and one of the oldest houses right in the center, the Stetson House has played a role in the development and growth of the town,” says Stephen O’Neil, executive director of the Hanover Historical Society. “Town meetings and church services were being held inside the Stetson House while the church was being built.” O’Neil has been working with the Hanover Historical Society since March of 2016. This private, non-profit organization was founded in 1927 in order to preserve, collect, and interpret Hanover’s history through events, exhibits, photographs, documents, and various other pieces. “I am the Executive Director of the Hanover Historical Society. I have been working in museums, libraries, and archives for almost thirty years, and have curated more than thirty exhibits. I am a published author, and have taught at University level for 15 years,” O’Neil explained. When asked what he likes about working at the Stetson house, he responded, “the most fun is when all ten third grade classes visit the house in May and June, it’s great to tell stories, answer their questions, and share my enthusiasm for history.”

      Stephen O’Neil, Executive Director of The Hanover Historical Society   

One of the Stetson daughters dresses

The house even holds on to some of Hanover’s most historical pieces. Since 1928, the Hanover Historical Society has kept items associated with the history of town inside the Stetson House, such as books, objects, furniture, and many other historical objects. “Much of the house has its original woodwork,” O’Neil described, “you can see where there are little score marks on the mantelpiece from where candle flames burned into the wood over the years.” As far as his favorite part of the house, he said, “there are really no right angles in this house, it is built around the center chimney stack and the doors are made with angles at the top, if you were to drop a marble on the floor it would roll to any other direction.”

Anyone can stop by and check out this important piece of Hanovers history. Tours have been offered to the public ever since 1928. Located at 514 Hanover Street in Hanover, Massachusetts, the Stetson house is open for tours on Saturday afternoons from 12-4pm as well as Wednesdays from 2-4pm for additional tours and research. You also might be able to take a look inside when there are special events or occasions that are taking place in the town.