After a short update on the Society’s collection, Roy Helander will recount the chronology of Alku, Maynard’s Finnish Temperance Society.
Before the rise of mass media, groups like the temperance societies formed the base of social life with meetings, activities, sports events, talks, drama groups, music.
We hope you can join us at the Library in the Fowler School, 3 Tiger Drive (off of Great Road / Rt. 117). The Library is located down the hall to the right as you come in the main entrance.
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.