STERLING MA

STERLING MA
Sterling Memorial Area
Built - 1981



The western Massachusetts town of Sterling is not only proud of its past history but also of its historical buildings that have been preserved over their long past including Lunt's Pavilion, downtown buildings, the Sterling Inn, and Waushacum Pond and Park. The town is also the birthplace of Mary Sawyer from the rhyme, written by Sarah Hale, of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" fame. Mary did grow up in Sterling with her relatives still living in the town. It is believed that after Mary's lamb had died, she knitted its wool into mittens and stockings. When the Civil War broke out, she unraveled the wool and then sold it off to help raise money for the war effort. There is a statue of the lamb on the town common.
Sterling's "gazebo" was built in 1981 with plans drawn up by Arthur French and built in Sterling's Memorial Area by Edmond Wronski. The structure was built in celebration of the town's centennial birthday with 90% of the funds to build the bandstand from donations with all of the lumber donated. Since the town got a late start in the building of the structure, the citizens had to frantically rush the work to get it done on time for their celebration and finally dedicated the bandstand on April 26, 1981.
The town's Recreation Committee holds band concerts during the summer months with the Wachusett Community Band and Sterling Music Exchange as past headliners. Memorial Day parades finish at the bandstand each year with guest speakers using the structure as their venue.
INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY:
Town of Sterling, Town Clerk's Office

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