The City of Worcester has a long and rich history of important people, places and events. The Office of the City Clerk is the keeper of many significant historical records, memorabilia and information that is vital to Worcester’s heritage.
Worcester named after Worcester, England was first established as a town in 1722 and later became a city in 1848. During the past three centuries Worcester has evolved from its modest, but instrumental revolutionary beginnings to a major manufacturing center to its current concentration of world-class colleges and universities, medical facilities and teaching hospitals.
Worcester's history boasts many firsts, inventions and innovations as well as visits from American presidents and significant historical figures.
For more information about Worcester’s history we encourage you to visit the Worcester Historical Museum in person or online.
Worcester Historical Museum Website
In 1774, a Patriot organization drafted an agreement to boycott imported British goods that was subsequently approved in the town meeting. Soon after, a group of Tories (Royal sympathizers), including the Town Clerk, drafted and formally entered into the town record their protest against the boycott, although it had not been approved by a vote of the town. Three months later, the Patriots forced the Town Clerk to blot out the Tory Protest from the town record. Learn more about the Tory Protest at revolutionaryworcester.org.
In 1776, towns across Massachusetts were required to read the Declaration of Independence first at church and then they were told to enter it into their permanent town record. Isaiah Thomas read the Declaration of Independence in public at the Worcester Old South Meeting House on July 14, 1776.
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City Clerk
City Hall Room 206
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: 508-799-1121
Fax: 508-799-1194
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Office Hours:
Monday
8:45 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday
8:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
