Roy Helander will present a history of the Finnish Temperance Society, “Alku”, which was organized in Maynard from 1895 to 1967.  It was one of about 50 Temperance Societies that were formed in New England.

Perhaps the earliest photo we have of some of the members of the Society circa 1908:

In May of 1922 Alku decided to purchase some land in West Concord to create a summer recreation site called Punkaharju:

Each summer Alku members would parade down Powdermill Road (now Rt. 62) to West Concord:

Some Alku members from 1912:

We hope you can join us and learn more about Alku and temperance societies in New England and how they shaped life here in Maynard for over a half a century.