News from Mont Vernon

On Tuesday December 3rd 2013 Micheal Warren will speak at the Mont Vernon Fire Department at 7:30 PM. His topic is HISTORY IN YOUR HANDS. To learn more, please read the letter posted above, received from the Mont Vernon Historical Society. 

Now, contrary to popular opinion, you do not need a passport to venture north into Mont Vernon! I know, I lived there very happily for 28 years.

A few announcements from other organizations.

We receive much information from other organizations. Here's a partial list that may interest you. Follow the Links.

Nashua Historical Society

Colonial Art Classes: Learn to make colonial fabric Christmas ornaments taught by members of the NHS. Two Thursday evenings sessions November 14 and 21. $20 per person, prepaid. Call them at 603.883.0015 if this is of interest.

TREASURES IN YOUR HOME by Charlie Wibel has been rescheduled for November 19, 2013 at 7:30 pm.

New Hampshire Preservation Alliance

New London, NH House Tour: Saturday & Sunday December 7&8.  www.thefells.org

Christmas at Canterbury: December 7 & 14, 3-8 pm. wwwshakers.org

Strawberry Banke Candlelight Stroll: December 7/8, 14/15, 21/22

Reading Your Old House: Historic New England, January 16,  617.227.3956

Old House and Barn Expo: March 15&16, Center of NH

Are you Looking For Interesting Reading?
Then try this from the New Hampshire Preservation Trust.
NH Preservation 

Old Sturbridge Village

The Oliver Wight House, 1783

Old Sturbridge Village is one of 11 museums participating in FOUR CENTURIES OF MASSACHUSETTS FURNITURE. The exhibit will display here from October 19, 2013 until May 4, 2014 until it moves on to its next location. Furniture from 1620 until present day will be featured. Click HERE to see furniture highlights. OSV is more than just a living museum and offers, lectures, special exhibits and special events to capture the interest of the most dedicated antiquarian. 

Historic New England

Still looking for more to do this winter? Check out the EVENT page at Historic New England for a huge variety of stimulating presentations ranging from a tour of Chestnut Street in Salem, Mass to a lecture concerning the 75th anniversary of the 1938 hurricane. Historic New England has 36 properties, open and available to the public.   

Historic Deerfield Village

September 1956, Magazine Antiques

Historic Deerfield Village in Deerfield, Mass is another great destination with homes to visit, lectures to attend and special exhibits to capture your imagination. Click on their OVERVIEW page where you'll learn a lot. Be prepared to stay a while though!

And don't forget about our next meeting on December 9th, at 7:30 pm at the Congregational Church, where guest speaker Mike Pride will speak about, 

Our War: A new look at New Hampshire in the Civil War.

Bring a guest!

HALLOWEEN AT THE WIGWAM

By 6 pm, darkness had descended upon the village as ghouls, ghosts, goblins and yes, a few princesses, a couple of baseball players, ninjas, Superman and even a miniature Tom Brady, wandered about in a heavy mist in search of candy. Under the watchful eye of members of our police force, fire department and many parents, a safe, festive atmosphere unfolded for our younger, smaller citizens. 

The Wigwam, built in 1839 as a Methodist Chapel. 

As is the tradition, the Historical Society of Amherst opened its Wigwam Museum to visitors and trick or treaters to mix a little history with the forage for sugar. Snickers and M&M's may be sweet, but after all, what's sweeter than the history of Souhegan West from 1733?

Wigwam curator Chris Marshall met our tiny guests in the foyer, passed out candy and directed them into the museum. Chris thinks that although the weather was mild, the light rain reduced the guest count to 500 or so, from what normally reaches 800.

Evan Superman "dropped in" for a visit.

Our resident ghoul who told kids that the "Society lets him out once a year to greet visitors," comforts Jackie Marshall as the entourage of enthusiastic kids began. 

Several Princesses and a Civil War veteran (we like this kid, maybe he'll speak at our next meeting that concerns Amherst's role in the Civil War) proceed by the Concord Coach after bravely passing our ghoul.

The Concord Coach, built in Concord, NH in 1849 

Just one day after winning their third World Series in a decade and their first at home in fabled Fenway Park, one of the bearded players joined us in Amherst for our festivities. He told us that Fenway, the oldest major league baseball stadium in use, opened on April 20, 1912 just five days after the RMS Titanic sank near Newfoundland. 

All the youngsters and their parents enjoyed their journey through the Wigwam. We hope that this spark ignites a moment of curiosity and that many will choose to investigate the Historical Society of Amherst and learn of their hometowns rich history. To discover more about your town, click here to peruse the Society's website. 

Thanks to all who came out tonight to visit the Wigwam, those who donated candy and to members Rob Maxfield, Katrina Holman, Rommy Krush, Judith Jones, and Chris, Jackie and Nathalie Marshall who manned the post. And don't forget about our next meeting on December 9th, at 7:30 pm at the Congregational Church, where guest speaker Mike Pride will speak about, 

Our War: A new look at New Hampshire in the Civil War.

Bring a guest!

Do you have something to share? Send it to randpeck@gmail.com