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Saugus Historical Society |
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Saugus Historical Society
Our "home" (pictured above) is located at 30 Main Street, Saugus Center.
Saugus Historical Society
P.O. Box 1209
Saugus, MA 01906-1209
For information, please call (781) 233 - 7232 and leave a message.
Randy-Sue Abber, Membership (781) 231-0 877
The purpose of the Saugus Historical Society is to cultivate an interest in the history of the
town and to collect and preserve all matter pertaining to the town’s history and citizenry.
The organization was begun in 1928.
Meetings are held 6 times per year:
on the second Wednesday of the month
in March, April, May, September, October, and November.
at 30 Main Street, Saugus, MA 01906
Gathering time is 6:00 to 7:00 pm - Meeting starts at 7:00 pm
Light refreshments will be served and treats are always appreciated.
Visitors are always welcome.
A business meeting and refreshments precede the main program.
The main program typically includes a speaker and often a slide-show.
Members, their guests, and the general public are invited to attend.
There is no charge.
Plans for a Park at Round Hill in Saugus
Let’s go Sachems! Residents often yell this phrase at sports games, in hopes of a victory
for the red-and-white. But in the excitement, the word Sachem and the historical significance
of it are often overlooked. The Saugus Historical Commission is doing its part to make sure
that doesn’t happen by developing a park at Round Hill to call attention to the town’s extensive
Native American history. Plans have yet to be finalized, but the Historical Commission is
pursuing a proposal to build a park at Round Hill, located behind the Public Safety Building.
A rendering unveiled at last month’s Historical Commission meeting shows granite bollards
to prevent vehicles from intruding into the space, a handicapped accessible path, benches
and a sign detailing the history and significance of the area.
Stephen Carlson, chairman of the Historical Commission, explained that approval would be sought
for the park’s creation on the warrant of the next Special Town Meeting. “We’re not asking the
town to fund the project,” he said. “But we do want to make sure the town approves of the plans.”
Saugus boasts deep Native American roots and Round Hill is one of many locations where
artifacts have been recovered. First settled in 1629, Saugus is the Native American name for
“great” or “extended.” The area that once included Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Reading, Swampscott,
and Wakefield was presided over by a sachem, a man considered a king by Native Americans.
Featured on the town seal is Montowampate, the sachem of Saugus, holding a bow in one hand
and an arrow in the other. Behind him is the historic site of Round Hill, with a spruce tree growing
atop. Today, Round Hill is a wooded area that rises behind the Public Safety complex. According
to town historians, the site was once a sacred meeting place for Montowampate and his braves.
Going forward, the Historical Commission expects to meet with Town Manager Andrew Bisignani,
Department of Public Works Director Joseph Attubato and public safety officials to discuss creating
the park at Round Hill. Nearby residents will be kept in the loop while the project moves forward.
The ultimate decision rests with Town Meeting as to whether to put a park at the site.
If all necessary approvals are obtained, Carlson expects some of the construction might be
performed by town employees, but the majority of the cost will be covered by private investors.
“We will be looking for donations from businesses and town residents,” he said.
Saugus archives available for research
The Saugus Historical Society's collection of documents, photographs, books,
postcards, newpapers, and artifacts have been carefully indexed and preserved
over the past eight years by Fred Brooks.
They may all be utilized for research purposes dealing with the history of Saugus.
Please call the Historical Society (781) 233-7232 for an appointment.
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