Swansea Historical Society

Topic of the Month

Lost Homes of Swansea


Previous Topics of the Month



Tour the Store

While the Luther Store is closed for maintenance and repairs, the SHS is presenting this small tour of some interesting artifacts inside the store.
Please click here to view the tour.
(updated 9-27-22)


HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Please click here to learn about what historic preservation is and to read about the Historic Preservation Movement in the United States.


Tours
The Luther Store is currently closed for renovations


Research
By appointment only
Anyone wishing to do research (e.g. viewing family files or something in the Swansea Historical Society's collections) please contact Carl Becker at 508-379-0972 or Cheryl Bogle at 508-496-9564 to schedule an appointment.


Check out the
Items in the Store



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Swansea Historical Society!


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Welcome to the Swansea Historical Society!

The Swansea Historical Society is a non profit organization dedicated to preserving, collecting and researching historical information and items. The society also takes pride in creating ways to help future generations understand their heritage and the history of Swansea.

Founded January 23rd, 1941 the Swansea Historical Society celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2021!


Join Us for Our Upcoming Events


Annual Meeting

    Membership Application - click here to view OR right-click (PC)/ctl-click (Mac) to download (PDF)

    Executive Board Application - click here to view OR right-click (PC)/ctl-click (Mac) to download (PDF)



WW I & II Talk



Pumpkin Patch Event



Joseph Case High School Yearbooks Available


The SHS was gifted with many copies of the Joseph Case High School Yearbook. With permission from the gifter, we are selling the extra copies to help with the cost of repairs to the Luther Store.

Yearbooks are $15 each and can be purchased by contacting Cheryl Bogle at 508-496-9564 or integracrete2@gmail.com.

These are the available years:

  • 1946 - 4 copies
  • 1948 - 1 copies
  • 1949 - 1 copy
  • 1951 - 1 copy
  • 1953 - 3 copies
  • 1954 - 1 copies
  • 1956 - 2 copies
  • 1958 - 1 copy
  • 1959 - 1 copy
  • 1960 - 3 copies
  • 1961 - 3 copies
  • 1962 - 2 copies
  • 1963 - 1 copies
  • 1964 - 1 copy
  • 1965 - 1 copy
  • 1966 - 5 copies
  • 1967 - 1 copy
  • 1968 - 1 copy
  • 1969 - 2 copies
  • 1970 - 2 copy
  • 1971 - 1 copy
  • 1973 - 1 copy
  • 1977 - 1 copy
  • 1978 - 1 copy
  • 1981 - 1 copy
  • 1986 - 3 copy



SHS Temporary Storage


The Swansea Historical Society would like to thank Dave Thompson from Go Mini's Portable Storage for helping us put a storage unit on the grounds of the Luther Store while we address some structural issues with the second floor.



Luther Store Update - June 2025


After the first floor ceiling was taken down, structural issues were exposed. The second floor window on the east face of the building has been leaking for quite some time, causing damage to the framing beneath the window moving down to the second floor sill, joists and framing. Our contractor has taken care of the second floor framing but we now need to address the window framing and any other damage in that area.

For many years, the SHS has been calling a small room on the second floor of the Luther Store "the library." This room was JG Luther's office.

Too many heavy objects had been stored in that area which caused the support beams to severely deflect. To add support, two permanent columns have been placed in the back room of the first floor where those deflected beams are located.

We have other structural issues to address as well as the replacement of rotted joists. Most at the windows, chimney and fireplaces need to be rebuilt as well as several other issues. These will be taken care of as we can afford to. All structural and environmental issues will be taken care of before we open the store to the public.

When the store is ready to be reopened, the second floor is going to be used for storage only. No public access to the 2nd floor will be allowed. We are not 100% sure how things will be laid out in the Store. We are thinking of recreating an 1800s General Store on the main floor as soon as you walk in. To the left on the main level is the addition area that will be for exhibits. The back room will store our historical documents and research materials.


SHS Family Research - The Helen Pierce Collection


The Swansea Historical Society has a collection of local family files compiled by Helen Pierce. Please check our Resources page for a list of available names to aide in your research.



Swansea Historical Society Store



Please check out the items available in our SHS store. They make great holiday gifts!

SHS Store Items



Swansea Historical Society 2022 Family Recipe Cookbook is still available!


Please contact Cheryl Bogle (508-496-9564) or Sandy Clark to purchase a Swansea Historical Society Family Recipe Cookbook or fill out and order form (see link on the right) and mail to the SHS with your payment.



Luther Store Issues & Repairs


Swansea Luther Store from Swansea Community Network on Vimeo.


WBZ Radio Interview:

"For centuries, Swansea residents have patronized and loved the J.G. Luther Store on Old Warren Road. Time takes its toll on buildings like this, but the Swansea Historical Society has been able to keep up - until COVID hit. Now, they're scrambling to try and fix massive structural and pest problems in hopes of saving this beloved historical landmark. Cheryl Bogle from the Swansea Historical Society has details on what happened, and how you can help them get the store back to good."

NOTE: The SHS interview is the second half of the podcast."



Luther Store Collage

 
 

 
 


Upcoming Events



Autumn Swag Workshop

CANCELLED


Talk on World Wars I & II Memorabilia

September 21st, 2025
2:00 p.m.


SHS Annual Meeting

September 21st, 2025
1:00 p.m.


Pumpkin Patch Event

October 11th, 2025
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Pie Baking Contest
JUDGES NEEDED for both contests - please contact Cheryl Bogle to volunteer


Abram's Rock Walk

October 26th, 2025


Christmas Wreaths and Swags Workshop

November 2025




Summer 2025 Newsletter


Spring 2025 Newsletter


Winter 2024/25 Newsletter


Fall 2024 Newsletter


Summer 2024 Newsletter


SHS Family Recipe Cookbook

On sale now!
Cookbook Info
Cookbooks can also be purchased at Riverside Art (1600 G.A.R. Hwy, Somerset) or the Swansea Public Library