The unexpected return of a stolen sword from the statue of General William Shepard has sparked a renewed enthusiasm for preserving the rich history of Westfield. This resurgence is evident in the recent influx of historical donations to the local Historical Commission.

Cindy Gaylord, who chairs the Historical Commission, noted a significant increase in offers from community members eager to contribute historical artifacts related to Westfield’s past. This wave of generosity was catalyzed by the national attention surrounding the sword’s return, which had been missing from the Gen. Shepard statue located on the Park Square Green for decades.

The sword was originally stolen in 1980 by a student from Westfield State University. Recently, the individual, now a veteran, stumbled upon the sword while sorting through storage and chose to return it anonymously to the city of Westfield.

One of the remarkable donations inspired by the sword’s return is a first aid kit from a late 19th-century Westfield ambulance. Gaylord described the kit as containing basic medical tools of the time, including a bullet for patients to bite on, a wooden stake likely used as a splint, and a needle and thread from a local thread manufacturer of that era.

Another significant donation includes a pair of large mahogany molds from the H.B. Smith Co., a historic Westfield company. An engineer from Tighe and Bond, who had salvaged the molds during the demolition of the company’s building, initially planned to repurpose them as tables. However, inspired by the sword’s return, he decided to donate them to the Historical Commission instead.

Gaylord expressed optimism that the commission will continue to receive historical artifacts for preservation and display, enriching Westfield’s cultural heritage.

The notorious stolen bronze sword is slated to be displayed at the Westfield Athenaeum’s Edwin Smith Historical Museum, where it will join the Gen. Shepard collection. Meanwhile, a replacement sword has already been installed on the statue.

“We hope that once the library is fully open again, people will come to see the exhibit,” Gaylord remarked, inviting the community to engage with their local history.