One measure of the nature of a community is the caliber of the people it produces or significantly influences. The sons and daughters of Haverhill who have achieved a significant degree of fame range from a world famous poet to a colonial heroine; from a motion picture mogul to a physician whose name remains internationally known for medical diagnosis and treatment. Included are persons in military, government and scientific fields.
The Hall of Fame is located on the first floor of the Haverhill Public Library. The Hall of Fame was dedicated on March 6, 1986, with Governor Michael S. Dukakis as the principal speaker. The third induction was held on May 17, 1987 with former Governor and US Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe. The fourth and fifth ceremonies were held on October 14, 1989 with Deputy Secretary of Defense and Haverhill native, Donald J. Atwood. This also served as the community’s first reception for Mr. Atwood, who had left his post as Vice President of General Motors to serve in the George Bush Cabinet.
An explanation of the Hall of Fame comes from the dedication plaque:
“The Haverhill Citizens Hall of Fame was established at the Haverhill Public Library in 1985. Its purpose is to recognize, prominently and permanently, individuals from Haverhill who have made significant contributions to the larger communities of state, country and world, of which we are all citizens.”
“This Hall of Fame, by calling attention to the part that Haverhill has played in the lives of these individuals, will serve as a source of pride and inspiration and will provide an opportunity for future generations to better understand their community’s history.”
A committee of seven Haverhill citizens was established who review the suggested names, and first place them on a nomination list, then once a year meet to vote in one or more new individuals. The major criteria are that the individual must have had a “substantive Haverhill connection,” that they have had a “significant impact beyond Haverhill’s borders,” and that, to allow for the assessment of time, must be deceased.
The following are the present members of the Haverhill Citizens Hall of Fame, in the order in which they were elected to the Hall of Fame.