In 1993, Randolph celebrated its Bicentennial. A new history book was commissioned to help raise funds to defray the cost of the many bicentennial events (there was a Grand Ball at Lombardos spectacular function center in North Randolph visible from the junction of Route 128 and 28, a Historic House Tour, then over the July 4th Weekend an Antique Auto Show, Flea Market and Field Day, and concluding in November: An Interfaith Service at the High School Auditorium). The Society's President (Mr. Henry Cooke IV) who is an active professional historian undertook the task. The result was Beneath the Elms, containing 136 pages and numerous pictures, the book has been warmly received since its publication.

Click on either thumbnail for a larger view.

Copies are still available at a cost of $25 each (please add $3 for postage and shipment within the Continental U.S.) All proceeds will go towards the Save Stetson Hall Fund and are tax deductible as the fund is a 501(c)(3) entity.

Please send a check payable (in U.S. funds) to the order of "Friends of Randolph History", to: Randolph Historical Society, 360 North Main Street, Randolph, MA 02368. If you would like a signed copy please include the dedication you wish.

Copies are also available at the Town Clerk's Office or at the Executive Secretary's office both of which are in the new Town Hall at 41 South Main St.

Until the Great Hurricane of 1938 delivered the first of a one-two punch, the second being Dutch Elm disease, both North and South Main Streets were famous for the overarching Elm trees which lined them. Postcards of Randolph sold at the Porter Drugstore in the 1890's featured these magnificent trees as does the dustjacket of the new book. A popular and long lived column in the local newspaper about town events was entitled Beneath the Elms so it seemed appropriate to revive that title for the new pictorial history book.

There are limited quantities of the other memorabilia produced during the Bicentennial, click on the links below to learn more about them:

A Video History of Randolph Mass.

1882 Bird'seye View of Randolph

Pairpoint Lead Glass Cup Plates

Bicentennial Afghan

Dustjacket from Beneath the Elms

Bicentennial Commemorative Coins