History of Central Toastmasters

Central Toastmasters Club #2277 was chartered in December of 1956. It was originally known as the Heald Machine Toastmasters Club, only open to employees, and met at the Cosgrove Club on Mechanic Street in Worcester. Because of declining participation, membership was opened to the public in 1958. The club was renamed Central Toastmasters. The Greendale YMCA donated space for the club to meet. In 1973 Toastmasters International opened up its membership to women. In 1977, because it was suggested that the availability of food and beverages might entice new members, the Eden Restaurant on Franklin Street was chosen as the new meeting place. Central Toastmasters moved back to the Greendale YMCA in 1984 because poor downtown parking facilities were thought to have been a deterrent to women members.

Central Toastmasters is a community dinner club that is chartered to meet in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Since 1985, the club has met at a series of Worcester restaurants. Among the meeting sites for Central Toastmasters during these years were the Regency Suites Hotel, Anna’s Kitchen, The Webster House Restaurant, O’Connor’s Restaurant, the Canal Restaurant, and Nonna’s Restaurant. Prior to the pandemic, the club met at the Mezcal Restaurant.

Since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic in April 2020, the club has met virtually via Zoom.