Then and Now: A Girl Scout Play From 1919

Here’s a local relic you don’t come across every day, on eBay or anywhere else. It’s a program from 1919 from a three-act play that some local girl scouts held. The program includes a list of cast members (including three Haywards – Myrtle, Lena and Nellie. 

The first person listed in the cast is “Elinor Pearl – of unknown parentage," for what that's worth. 

Some local businesses and town residents of the day are also listed in the program as sponsors, such as the Wardhurst Club, Suntaug Lake Inn, and others.

On a side note, this program actually has two young ladies on it with the first name “Myrtle.” Which of course makes me wonder – how many parents are naming their girls “Myrtle” these days? There’s also an Ethel in the cast, for what it’s worth.

Who knows, maybe a fad involving World War I-era baby names is just around the corner.

Anyhow, the girls were apparently members of the Wah-Wah-Tay-See Patrol and their play (in three acts taking place at camp) was performed at the Lynnfield Chemical Hall on June 4, 1919. Just speaking from memory – I believe the chemical hall is the former fire station that once stood over in the area near Grove Street and OLA, not far from the present-day Loui’s Roast Beef.

The buyer is asking only 99 cents for this program, which appears to be about 5-6 pages long.