I have a collection of pictures of both the outside and inside of D. B. Wesson's home on Maple Street, Springfield MA. It was destroyed by fire Feb 20, 1966. Here are before and after pictures along with a picture of his library.

Attached Files

	Home of D B Wesson. .pdf (1.13 MB, 365 views)
	Library .pdf (911.0 KB, 249 views)
	D B Wesson's house after the fire Feb. 20, 1966.pdf (1.12 MB, 234 views)

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Don Mundell

Great pictures, Don.

Larry Niemczyk

Larry
I have more. I'll post more if there is interest.

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Don Mundell

Interest here Don!

Was anyone living there at the time of the fire?

Bob

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R. M. Bob Horton
#2170

Very interested
Was the house owned by the Wesson family when it burnt down?
What Smith & Wesson history may have been lost forever if still occupied by Daniels descendants, the original Model 1 wooden model for example?

After D B Wesson's death in 1906, several attempts to give it to various organizations, the family gave the home to the Connecticut Valley Historical Society. It came with the stipulation that they raise one hundred thousand dollars for a maintenance fund. Attempts were made by the CVHM to raise this amount, but they failed. In January 1915 a group of young men considered forming "The Colony Club". A preliminary meeting was held. Its purpose was to discuss whether the group would take an option on the Wesson property. On May 12, 1915 the club formally acquired the property, and the officers signed a mortage for $51,000.00.
This information is from a booklet I own. It was printed in 1963, by,
The Connecticutt Valley Historical Museum. Sunday morning Feb 20 1966 after a dinner party for the MacDuffie School for Girls, on his way to work ,Alfred Albano discovered the fire. He radioed the fire department at 2:15 stated flames were coming out of every window he could see.
Alarms were turned in at 2:15, 2:18, 2:19, 2:26 and 2:34AM.
The building was a total loss and torn down.
I do have several door knobs, hinges and one of the wrought iron driveway cages, which weighs over 200 lbs.

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Don Mundell

Don,
Do you still have the 86 oil drums full of ashes that you shoveled up?

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

pretty cool stuff don..i have some very old postcards here that feature the home

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Lee 84, I sold two.
By the way, some of the marble columns survived. At the last Springfield Annual, I took several members to the RED ROSE in downtown Springfield. Inside and outside, there are several columns from DB's house.
I with post several of the postcards I have that show the mansion.

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Don Mundell

This is great.. I love history, especially with pictures. Thanks for sharing...