Mill Villages’ Little Bank will be restored

Submitted by the Grafton Historical Society

Restoring the Little Bank building at the Mill Villages Park on Main Street, South Grafton, has always been on the wish list of its owners, the Grafton Historical Society. 

This week that vision will become a reality thanks to some generous donors and the professional services of E. W Gemme & Sons Co. Inc., painting contractors. 

Mr. Gordon Larrivee, the grandson/son, of the original builders reached out to our society to see how help could be provided to ensure the integrity of the building. A funding request went out to several businesses, producing a nice response from Homefield Credit Union, Koopman’s Lumber Co., and Millbury Credit Union. 

The estimated cost of the repairs will go beyond their donation, but Mr. Larrivee has made an extremely generous offer to secure the additional funding for this important project.

A hardworking veteran, Wilfred Larrivee, was living on Collette St and became interested in trying his luck at woodworking. Encouraged by his Marine Corps Sergeant, “to make up your mind you’re going to do things”, Wilfred began teaching this skill to his wife Natalie, as referenced in a Sunday Telegram & Gazette article “You Can Do It”, dated April 11, 1982. 

The pair started taking orders for their unique display cases and the family business, W. J. Larrivee Mfg, Co began. Remembering the encouragement from his military advisers, Wilfred advanced his woodworking skill, building the replica of the Grafton Saver’s Bank that stands in Grafton Center. 

Situated at the Mill Villages Park, on Main St, South Grafton, the building is not far from the original location to the right of #38. All details point to a construction date in 1937. This location provided banking services of Grafton Co-Operative Bank & Savers Bank in this unique space. 

“Grafton’s Branch Bank” was full-service to accommodate the community. Gordon’s father, Kenneth, although a young man, joined his father to work on the details and hone his skill level on this wonderful building. Kenneth took over the business in 1978.

When it was no longer needed for banking purposes, the Grafton Historical Society purchased the building and moved it next to the Grafton Center Post Office to use for continuing the mission to maintain artifacts and documents relevant to Grafton’s history for current and future generations. 

A “Thank You” goes out to Saver’s Bank of Grafton whose donation allowed this to happen. Since the building hadn’t been used for society business in years, the committee for Mill Villages Park allowed us to move it closer to the original location, once again gracing Main St. South Grafton.

Perhaps you’ve seen the story, told by the Little Bank building itself about the day it had to prepare for the journey back, around the curvy hills of Grafton Center. Written for youth, the story “The Little House” was written by member, Jane Nozzolillo and illustrated by Tara Lee Colazzi and aptly starts with, “I’m the cutest little house in Grafton, maybe in the whole world.” A sentiment shared by many that know the details of this building that promoted a sense of economic principles in Grafton’s growing years. 

It will once again be a source of pride for our community thanks to Gordon’s encouragement. Special events will surely be more fun held in the park now.

The Grafton Historical Society is a 501©3 non-profit all volunteer organization not affiliated or funded by the town of Grafton. We relay on donations from community members for funding and volunteer services. Interested in knowing more about our mission to protect artifacts and documents as early as the Revolutionary period forward? Join our team by calling 508-839-0000, texting 508-320-1173 or emailing graftonmahistory@gmail.com. In the meantime, don’t forget to see where our mission has led us by visiting at 71 Main Street, South Grafton on Tuesday or Sunday from 2 – 4 PM, check our Facebook page, or graftonhistoricalsociety.org website, making sure it is Grafton MA (not VT),

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