The Worcester North Agricultural Society was incorporated in 1852, and has extensive fair grounds and a trotting park in the easterly part of the township.

The city owns two cemeteries.  Laurel Hill Cemetery is large and has been in use for at least seventy-five years.  It occupies a hill overhanging the river, and is truly a city of the dead overlooking the city of the living.  Forest Hill Cemetery is on the Mount Elam road, two miles south of the city, and is of more recent origin.  St. Bernard’s Cemetery, in the easterly part of the town, is owned by the Roman Catholics.

Fitchburg hospitality is well known, and Masonic or other organizations are always sure of royal entertainment and a grand good time when they visit their Fitchburg brethren.

Art, literature and music have always been cultivated here.  Though there is no organized art club in town, there are not a few artists here of merit whose skill with crayon and brush is fully appreciated.

[Illustration:  LAUREL HILL.  RESIDENCE OF CHARLES MASON, ROLLSTONE STREET.]

The Fitchburg Literary Club was organized some fifteen years ago.  Its membership has been large and its meetings interesting.  Mr. R.G.  Huling is now the President of the club.  Several writers of prose and verse reside in town.

In proof of musical talent we refer with just pride to the Fitchburg Military Band, G.A.  Patz, Director.  The band, under the faithful and skillful management of the late Warren S. Russell, attained almost the highest rank among the musical organizations of New England.  Mr. Russell was a most estimable man, of rare musical ability, and his death in March, 1884, was a sad blow to the members of the band, and to the citizens of Fitchburg as well.  At his funeral, March 18, 1884, the floral tributes from many musical organizations in New England, the presence of Mr. D.W.  Reeves, always a warm friend of Mr. Russell, with the American Band of Providence, Rhode Island, whose members voluntarily tendered their services for the occasion gratuitously; the great concourse of citizens and the general suspension of business throughout the city, showed better than any words the estimation in which he was held.  In April, 1884, Mr. Patz became the leader of the band.  That he is eminently qualified for the position is shown by the fact that the band still maintains its high rank and bids fair to surpass in the future the successes of the past.  In the upper common is a very handsome band-stand, erected by means of the generosity of certain citizens, and down town in Railroad Park is another, not quite as ornamental.  The band gives a concert at each place nearly every week during warm weather, and large audiences appreciate the music.  Nor are we lacking in vocal talent.  Several of our residents, some of whom have perfected themselves abroad, have acquired, or are acquiring, reputation as singers.

[Illustration:  RESIDENCE OF HENRY A. GOODRICH, HIGHLAND AVENUE.]