Discovered Piece of Nearly 100-Year-Old Massachusetts History is a Step Back in Time

What was happening in Massachusetts and the U.S. in 1939? Well for one, the Boston Bruins were in the Stanley Cup finals against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was Boston's first appearance in the Finals since 1930! Boston won the series 4–1, winning their second Stanley Cup. This was the first Stanley Cup Finals ever to be contested as a best-of-seven series. Go B's!

Wachusett Potato Chip company was founded in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, just two years prior (the company takes its name from nearby Mount Wachusett). Endicott College was founded as a two-year, all women's college in Beverly, Massachusetts.

The President was Franklin D. Roosevelt. He became the first president to ever be televised in our nation's history when he opened the New York World's fair.

And, perhaps most importantly, The Wizard of Oz came out in August of 1939, grossing a whopping $12,270,000. And Gone with the Wind came out that year as well. What an iconic year for American cinematography!

You might be wondering why we are taking this stroll down memory lane. Well, I wanted to the paint the scene of what was happening in the world during the year this bookmark was made.

Attleboro Public Library posted the photo below on their Facebook page this week with the caption: "WOW! We received this bookmark from 1939 (!!!) via New Hampshire earlier this week. What a piece of history."

How cool is that? A few observations:

• Attleboro Coal Company got some solid advertising on that bookmark.
• I'm jealous that the library was open until 9pm back in the day on Mon, Wed, and Sat.
• Commenters on this post shouted out local Attleboro spots mentioned on the bookmark like Dodgeville Pool and Hebronville Mill.
• I can't help but wonder what the late fees were on the book that accompanied this bookmark.

The older I get, the greater my appreciation for history becomes! Have you ever found a really cool piece of your town's history? Let us know in the comments.