An independent nonprofit 501c3 history center.
Funded by the generosity of people like you.
Shawsheen Life:
A Place to Live
All homes in Shawsheen Village were rented through the Homestead Association which had its offices in the Post Office Building.
Homes in the village were divided into two distinct areas. One contained red brick houses for the top management which became known as “brick Shawsheen”. The other contained smaller wood framed houses for the middle managers. Painted white with green shutters this area became known as “white Shawsheen”.
Cars, laundry and garbage bins were considered unsightly. Houses were not built with garages and residents were expected to store their cars in one of two central garages on North Main and Haverhill Streets. It was considered that cars would not be needed frequently; the village had been designed with everything within walking distance. Houses were designed with fenced area near the rear door to hide the garbage bins. The use of the Shawsheen Laundry on Haverhill Street was encouraged to avoid the sight of washing lines in yards.
Residents could shop at the Shawsheen Market located in the Post Office building. The Shawsheen Restaurant supplied baked goods for the store and the Shawsheen Dairy suppied milk, cream, butter and cheese. The Dairy opened in the spring of 1923 processing milk from the American Woolen Mill farms in West Andover. The Andover Townsman declared that it was the most “elaborate, sanitary and up-to-date creamery which it is possible to build”. The Dairy also supplied the local American Woolen Company mills, the Shawsheen Manor hotel and the Shawsheen Spa.
Residents could shop at the Shawsheen Market located in the Post Office building. The Shawsheen Restaurant supplied baked goods for the store and the Shawsheen Dairy suppied milk, cream, butter and cheese. The Dairy opened in the spring of 1923 processing milk from the American Woolen Mill farms in West Andover. The Andover Townsman declared that it was the most “elaborate, sanitary and up-to-date creamery which it is possible to build”. The Dairy also supplied the local American Woolen Company mills, the Shawsheen Manor hotel and the Shawsheen Spa.
The influx of new residents to the village overwhelmed Richardson School the small, 3 room, school house which had served Frye village. A new school was built by the Town of Andover in 1924 on a parcel of land donated by William M Wood. However, Wood declined honor of having the school named after him and it was named Shawsheen School.
Preserving the pastEducating for the future
Connecting with our community
Preserving the past
Educating for the future
Connecting with our community
Andover Center for History & Culture
97 Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
978-475-2236
Andover Center for History & Culture
97 Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
978-475-2236
The History Center is funded by individual, foundation, and corporate donations and receives no Town of Andover funding.
Show your commitment to Andover's history by donating today.
The History Center is funded by individual, foundation, and corporate donations and receives no Town of Andover funding.
Show your commitment to Andover's history by donating today.
Show your commitment to Andover's history by donating today.
