Celebration Will Mark Opening Of Community Center
Lithuanian Hall, 13 St George Avenue, South Norwood
The building as it looks today.
Norwood Lithuanians will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Lithuanian Hall on Thanksgiving Day when the Board of Selectmen, General Manager William C. Kendrick, M G. Badocius, attorney for the society since it was founded, and Paul Matricelli, builder, will be guests and speakers as well as veteran members of the society. A program and supper have been arranged.
At a meeting of the Grand Duke Keistutis Benefit Society in the early part of January 1910, certain members raised the question as to how the Norwood Lithuanians could get together and establish a center for themselves for social, educational, and betterment purposes. The matter was discussed and debated by society members and directors throughout the year, and a special committee was appointed to look into the matter further. They soon found that the state would not allow a benefit society to become involved in any undertaking other than the purpose of its organization.
This did not discourage the Lithuanians of Norwood for the committee worked even more enthusiastically and faithfully until June 1912 when they formed and organized a new society under the name: "The Norwood Lithuanian Benevolent Society." It was incorporated under the laws of the state of Massachusetts a little while later. Its purpose was to arrange for lectures in various educational branches to familiarize members with the Constitution and laws of the United States looking toward citizenship. Also the society desired to build a hall where it could meet at any time.
Charter members of the new society were: Michael Sheergals, Pius Jesulaitis, Michael Akalaitis, Vincent P. Repshis, Felix Trushas, Gaspasas Pazniokas, Simon Vaikasas, Antonas Pratasins, Anthony Baranka, Joseph 'Stancikas and Bartholomew A. Tumovicius.
Secure Loan From G. F. Willett
In January of 1914, thoughts were centered upon the building of a hall. President Anthony K. Neviackas, William Zilaitis, and Michael Smolski were chosen as a committee to see that the structure was built according to plans and specifications drawn up by J. Westwood. A contract was signed with Paul A. Uazzuchelli and Company who were to be the builders.
Another committee of President Neviackas and Michael Shergals was designated to negotiate for a loan. They contacted George F. Willett, feeling that, since he was head of Winslow Brothers and Smith where most Lithuanians were employed, he would be willing to help in every way possible. After several conferences with Mr. Willett and his associates, the Norwood Lithuanian Benevolent Society entered into an agreement by which Mr. Willett agreed to provide a loan for the society for the term of two years. Payments were received through the Norwood National Bank, and in 1916 the whole mortgage of Mr Willett's was assigned to the Norwood National Bank, later the Norwood Trust Company. This mortgage was paid honorably to that institution, and the society today has no mortgage on record. Mr. Willett helped the Lithuanians both morally and financially and he even assigned his architect, Mr. Parker, to look into the plans and specifications and to supervise the work in general.
The building was finally completed and the society celebrated the opening of the hall on November 30, 1914, twenty-five years ago this Thanksgiving. There were 97 fully paid-up members and 38 contributing members in the society at that time The late Honorable F. O. Winslow was a large donor to the society, but still it needed more funds and equipment for the opening of the hall.
War Threatens Society
The hall was divided into different rooms. The main hall for meetings, lectures, and entertainments needed chairs and tables; dressing room for performers, the the stage needed scenery; the ladies room, and the classroom, all required equipment; while the library needed books. Courageously the members met the situation and voted unanimously that each member would buy one, two, or three chairs and donate them to the society. Other necessities were obtained through generous contributions made from time to time by the Lithuanians. The renting of the main hall to various Lithuanian societies was very low because as the name implied no profit could be received.
In 1916 the bylaws were changed from a $5.00 initiation fee for a life membership to a 50c monthly fee for every member. During the next year war was declared and a few members were drafted into the army, while some left town altogether. This nearly caused the collapse of the society, but in 1918 new members enrolled and their ideas helped to encourage the spirit of the society although some of their attitudes came in conflict with those of the older members. In this same year, the name of the society was changed to the "Norwood Lithuanian Socialist Society," but in June 1927 the name was again changed to the "Norwood Lithuanian American Citizen's Association", the title which it bears today.
The society was not political, and when the hall was built, it was built with the thought that it could be used by everybody without prejudice to race, creed, or religion. Today it maintains the same tradition. The society built the hall with facilities for a community center for the Lithuanians of the town, as a place where they could hold lectures and meetings for the study of political, economic, social, and health problems. A clubroom provides facilities for social purposes. The income derived from subscriptions, rentals and sales is used for the general maintenance and operating expenses of the building.
All Lithuanians, their friends, and associates are invited to participate in the gala celebration of the anniversary of the hall on Thanksgiving Day. A. K. Neviakas heads the committee making the arrangements while assisting him are John Casper, president; Peter Blazis, vice president; Paul Krucas, recording secretary; Anna C.. Treciokas, financial secretary; John Grybus and John Dixon.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)
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