Worthen Collection Revealed

Most folks in these parts know a bit about Edwin B. Worthen, who so aptly documented Lexington life during an especialy interesting time in the town's development. But now, is revealing Worthen works to the world – or the World Wide Web anyway.   

This week, the library announced that the Edwin B. Worthen Collection “Virtual Exhibit,” a searchable database of local history materials, had been made available online.

“Donated to the Cary Library in 1976, the Worthen Collection includes materials that document life in Lexington from its earliest settlements to the mid-20thh century,” said a library press release. “While the Worthen Collection has been available to researchers over the years, the materials were never fully catalogued, making it difficult to use them to their full potential. Essentially, they have remained hidden treasures – until now.”

The collection includes manuscripts, research notes, file materials and memorabilia that were collected by Worthen, his son Edwin B. Worthen Jr., and his daughter Anita P. Worthen.

“Using PastPerfect Museum Software, a team of librarians, archivists, students and volunteers catalogued the materials in the Wrothen Collection and created a ‘Virtual Exhibit’ of lantern slides, photos, documents, maps, objects and newspapers,” the press release said. “Users may explore each part of the collection or search the entire database.”

The launch of the Virtual Exhibit marks the culmination of a year-long effort by a Library Sciences and Technology Assistance grant from the Institute of Library and Museum Services, which was administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.  Additional funding was provided as a gift from the estate of Anita P. Worthen, who died in 2008.

For more information, contact Cary Library’s Reference Department at 781-862-6288 ext. 250, or submit an e-mail inquiry on http://www.carylibrary.org/reference/askus.html