The date was Dec. 28, 1772. The place was the Pembroke Meeting House, today the site of First Church in Pembroke. The building was actually the second on that spot, having replaced a previous structure, which by 1727 had become too small for a growing township. These were the years before the concept of “separation of church and state,” so both government meetings and religious services were held in the same place.

It’s that time of year again! Everyone crowds into the malls and other shopping centers and the pace of life speeds into overdrive as we try to get all our Christmas and holiday shopping done. Where would we be without those malls? What did our Pembroke ancestors ever do without them? Here is a little peek. 

In keeping with this spooky season, I thought I might tell some tales from beyond the realm of our five senses — a kind of “Twilight Zone,” if you will, of Pembroke’s historical past. Two of these stories come from my own experiences; the last comes from the prolific pen of Curt Norris, chronicler of South Shore history.

Most of us drive by it several times a day without giving it much attention. However, at this time of year, known as Halloween, with the trimmings and trappings revolving around black cats, ghosts, goblins and tombstones etched with R.I.P., suddenly the town cemetery becomes the inspiration for all the good-natured fun. Few of us think of it as an excellent example of local history in its purest form.

Ever wonder how the names for your street, your favorite pond, or a particular section of town were named? Names like Center Street, Lakeshore Drive, Ocean Avenue, etc. are often based on geographical location, while names like Elm Street, Maple Avenue and High Street are usually based on early descriptions of a particular location. Frequently, however, clues to local history can be discovered simply by looking at a map of an area.

If we look back at the history of mail delivery, it becomes apparent that the history of America might have been very different without a system of correspondence and “keeping in touch” with the widespread inhabitants of the original 13 colonies.

During the heyday of shipbuilding on the North River (the mid-19th century), there were a total of 15 shipyards along her banks. Several of these yards were located in Pembroke. These were the Turner Yard, Seabury’s Point and the Job’s Landing and Brick Kiln shipyards. Shipbuilding on the North River actually spanned three centuries, from the late 1660s with the Turner and Smith families until the launching of the last ship built on the river, the Helen M. Foster, in 1871.

As the first decade of the new century heads to a close and the children of Pembroke head off to school, I thought it might be interesting to revisit how and when the educational system in Pembroke began.   

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Throughout Pembroke’s historical past, the town has been blessed with many notable figures — some very well known, some lesser known. Harry MacGregor Woods stands among those in the first category. 

The year was 1924. The annual meeting of the town of Pembroke voted to join a growing movement of other Massachusetts cities and towns in setting aside tracts of land for public recreational use. Pembroke residents voted to set aside a portion of the former Town Farm (poor house) on Mattakeesett Street as a Town Forest. This action provided a protected area in which nature, with the careful help and planning of man, could develop into a “sanctuary of green growth” which would be preserved for future generations. In addition to the natural stand of trees, 5,000 pine trees, a gift from the Massachusetts Forestry Association, were planted along the forest’s eastern ridge.      

So — it’s the beginning of July, and it looks like, perhaps, we’re going to have a summer season after all. It has definitely been a long time coming — that cool rain has made for some lush foliage and plenty of weeds, but my garden needs SUN!

The history of the town of Pembroke overflows with events and names of citizens who played important roles in the history not only of our area but also of the nation. They are part of our legacy and many of us never tire of hearing about them.

A number of years ago, Yankee Magazine came to town to cover our annual Fish Fry (to be held this year on Sunday, May 3 at Tommy Reading Park, a.k.a. the Herring Run). As they travelled around our town, the Yankee crew also discovered our former Center Library (now the senior center) cupola adorned with its unique bee.