By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Preserving and sharing the history of Marlborough is very important to many residents of the city. Robert “Bob” McCabe, a life-long resident of Marlborough, expressed his interest to former Mayor Dennis Hunt while he was in office and he suggested that he join Olde Marlborough, Inc.
McCabe accepted the suggestion and has been a member and director for several years, trying to carry the message to all.
“I want to make residents aware of the heritage the city of Marlborough holds and to recognize the wealth we have, preserve it and share it with young and old,” he said. “We are a small active group working hard to keep what we have and actively build on it.”
In keeping with the mission of Olde Marlborough – “to engage, educate and entertain through accurate living historical interpretation, authentic objects, historic structures stories and lives from America’s past” – several years ago McCabe proposed preserving what is left of historical points of Marlborough through murals and having them displayed in various locations. The idea was not appealing to city officials at the time so he and the group abandoned the project.
The group also investigates old property with historical significance with hopes of attaining ownership at some time.
McCabe‘s interest in the city and its residents led him to serve with the local Boys & Girls Club as a director and president.
“In essence, I have always loved my home town and feel obliged to stay active in some capacity,” he said.
He graduated from West Point in 1963, served in Vietnam and left the service in 1969 when he accepted a position with the New England Electric Company. He served as district manager in Marlborough in the early 1970s and as president of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce and is active in the Marlborough Rotary Club.
McCabe recently joined the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Board of Directors, representing Olde Marlborough. He is hopeful he will gain support and interest from other board members who have a deep interest in the city of Marlborough.
Actively working with McCabe is Robert Kane, a member of Old Marlborough’s Board of Directors who is also curator for the Marlborough Historical Society. They recently chaired the group’s popular Metrowest Festival of Trees, held in December at the Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough. It all started six years ago as a small “Christmas at the Farm” Festival of Trees with 17 trees at the Peter Rice Homestead. It has grown annually to more than 70 trees, wreaths, and other novelty items on display and an attendance of more than 4,000 people.
Another local historian that is active in Olde Marlborough is Attorney Doug Rowe who also provides a meeting place for the group at his office at 21 Cotting Ave. Anyone wishing to join the group may call Rowe at 508-485-5555.