School History

Who is Joseph R. Burgess? Why is our school called Burgess Elementary? What achievements in the Sturbridge community earned Joseph Burgess such an honor? When did the citizens of this Massachusetts town bestow the distinction of naming a school after Mr. Burgess? In my thirty‐four year tenure in the Burgess community, I never personally knew Joseph Burgess. Despite the fact that many of us could not always fully answer all of the aforementioned questions, this man's name was always held in high regard. Therefore, it seems appropriate that we all reflect back and become enlightened.

Born in 1893, Joseph Reed Burgess devoted 46 years of his life to education. His initial preparation began at Bridgewater State College, but, he later pursued graduate work at both Harvard University and the University of New Hampshire. Beginning his professional career in a most simplistic manner, Joseph Burgess taught sons and daughters of fishermen in his native Rockland, Massachusetts, community.

Burgess's affinity for the coast of New England is reflected in other early positions in Eastham on Cape Cod and in Sanford, Maine, in 1916. After his marriage, Burgess moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts, where he became principal and coach at the Sawyer School. Opportunities then brought Joseph Burgess to our area ‐ first via an assistant superintendency in the Agawam‐ West Springfield‐ Ludlow schools. Next, he assumed the position of superintendent of Monson, Brimfield and Wales. Later two of those communities would join together to form the present Union 61 School District. In 1925, drawn back to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Joseph Burgess accepted the title of Nantucket's administrative leader until 1937. Then, in September of that year, he became superintendent of Sturbridge, Charlton and Holland ‐ which constituted a school union at that time.

This period of leadership extended from 1937 through August 31, 1963. Now, not only had our school chief culminated nearly half a century in education and a quarter century as local educational supervisor, but he also had earned the recognition of being the longest tenured Superintendent in Worcester County. Noting this distinction, the residents of the town of Sturbridge voted on June 10, 1963, to rename Sturbridge Elementary School to the Joseph R. Burgess School. After all, Joseph R. Burgess was instrumental in the planning of our original elementary school which today houses Grades 4‐6 in the south wing.

Returning back to the sea, Joseph Reed Burgess lived the remaining years of his life in Nantucket where he passed away on September 19, 1982, at the age of 89.

Hopefully this reflection back in time has provided a solid connection for you between the person ‐ Joseph R. Burgess ‐ and our school.

Compiled by: Janina W. Swiacki with resources from: Regina Burgess Keightley, Sally Conrad, Harriet Royce and Eugene Hilton