BROOKFIELD MA

BROOKFIELD MA

Brookfield Common

Built - 1998

The town of Brookfield is located in central Massachusetts within the Worcester County Region. It is a quiet town which derived its name because of it being situated in a meadow with a stream. Life is quiet in Brookfield other than during the town's major event, the annual Apple Country Fair, which comes each October.
Brookfield's bandstand is a 20-foot Victorian-style octagonal structure situated on Brookfield's Commons directly in the middle of town. This eye-catching bandstand was completed in May of 1998 by Kloter Farms of Ellington, Connecticut after being financed by the Brookfield Community Club through capital funds received from the sale of artwork which was donated by a local artist, Jacob Knight. The Brookfield Community Club also raised funds for the building of the structure through memorial donations by families listed on "plaques" on the inner portion of the bandstand which is part of the roof's support. The cost of their bandstand was $10,400 with an additional $800 for electrical work and $3,000 for "aprion" brickwork mostly received through memorial donations. The bandstand is supported by heavy-duty 6X6 posts which were pre-wired.
After the completion of the town's bandstand, the Brookfield Community Club dedicated it to the citizens of the town during a large ceremony which took place in October of 1998 which also marked Brookfield's 325th anniversary during the town's Apple Country Fair.
The bandstand has held a number of concerts in the summer with blue grass and country rock music. It is also used for Boy Scout meetins as well as for general public and community events. In the winter time, it is adorned with a Christmas tree and lights.
State Senator Steve Brewster and Representative Dave Tuttle have been notables on the bandstand which stands proudly in their large common area and has been a welcomed addition to the town since built.


INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY:
Phillip Peirce, Vice Chair
Brookfield Community Club

WEST BROOKFIELD MA

WEST BROOKFIELD MA

Helen Paige Shackley Bandstand

West Brookfield Common

Built - 1972

West Brookfield is located about 20 miles west of Worcester and is situated on the historic Boston Post Road. The town was a halfway stop on the stage coach route from Worcester to Springfield. It had the sites of the first white settlement, the Indian villages and is considered to be the mother town of the Quaboag Plantation which was deeded in 1600. It was later incorporated and called Brookfield. The name Quaboag is a Nipmuc Indian name meaning "before the pond" which is Lake Wekabaug in the town.
The town of West Brookfield has a large expanse of land which is designated as West Brookfield Town Common where their beautiful Helen Paige Shackley Bandstand sits on the far end of the common. This magnificent structure was built and dedicated on May 20, 1972 and has been used every year since then for summer concerts and other venues. The bandstand is the first and only one the town has had in its long history.
Thurston Munson was the architect on the bandstand project with Dallas Folk & H. P. Cummings Construction Company as the firm hired to build the structure. The bandstand finances was supported by the Quaboag Park Funds, Helen B. Hawks Fund, and the John G. Shackley and Helen Paige Shackley Funds. The completion of the bandstand brought a stirring dedication on May 20th with concerts and speakers kicking off the summer program.

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY:
Amy Dugas, Member
W. Brookfield Historical Commission