WATERTOWN – A powerful reunion between past and present took place on May 7, when the Historical Society of Watertown returned a nearly century-old photograph to the Shutt Detachment Marine Corps League on Mount Auburn Street.

The black-and-white image, taken on November 11, 1930, captures the original unveiling of the World War I memorial in front of what was then American Legion Post 99. That very building, now home to the Shutt Detachment, VFW Post 1105, and Operation American Soldier, served as the backdrop once again as the framed photo was officially handed off during a small, meaningful ceremony.

The artifact had been stored with the Historical Society since 1994, when the American Legion post closed and members of the Historical Society salvaged a large collection of memorabilia—ranging from trophies and plaques to portraits, candid photos, and newspaper clippings.

The handoff is part of a broader effort by the Historical Society to make more of its American Legion collection available to the public. On June 7, the Society will host a special viewing event at the Edmund Fowle House on Marshall Street, where families will be invited to browse photos and artifacts—and potentially reclaim items connected to relatives or local history.

A full list of framed commander portraits will be available on the Historical Society’s website in advance of the event. Community members unable to attend will also have the opportunity to schedule viewings at a later date.

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