Special Display:
Glover-Baldwin Chair

• Five Slat, ladderback, fireside chair, c. 1700.
• Birch and ash with turned mushroom armrests.
• Believed made in Springfield. First owned by Peletiah Glover II, (1665-1737) of Springfield, Mass., son of Springfield's second minister Rev. Peletiah Glover.
• Peletiah II deeded extensive properties to his sons, and the inventory lists three great chairs. Son Thomas (1688-1775) moved to Wilbraham (then the Outward Commons of Springfield) and c. 1740 built a house on what is now Maple Street. In all likelyhood, the chair accompanied Thomas to Wilbraham.
• Thomas left his property to his nephew, John Glover (1753-1830), who c.1780 built a house which stands today at 10 Maple Street.
• The chair was found in the 1780 house which was purchased in 1836 by John Baldwin (1803-1880), grandson of Rev. Moses Baldwin, minister of Palmer, Mass..
• Chair descended in the Baldwin family of Wilbraham through the mid 1990s.
• Acquired January 1998 by the Atheneum Society of Wilbraham. On display at The Old Meeting House Museum, 450 Main Street, Wilbraham.

Thank you for your help and contributions!

Acquisition Committee: Pete Ablondi, 596-6700; Bob Swallow, 596-4761; Ross Karlson, 596-6526; Len Surdyka, 596-8208; Morrie Hayn, 596-4795; Carol Albano, Wilbraham Historical Commission, 596-6657; and Glen Clark.