Our Thanksgiving Storm

For those who may have not gotten out that day, these shots were taken on 28 November at 7:30 a.m. We only received 5" or so, but it was wet and heavy and created havoc with downed power lines, limbs and even a transformer fire in the village.

Out the door with my camera.

Looking south on Boston Post Rd at Middle Street

On BPR looking at Middle Street and the Flatiron.

Congregational Church or our Second Meetinghouse. (1774)

Third County Courthouse, now the Town Hall. (1823)

The Common. (1735)

Colonel Robert Means Mansion. (1785)

Cleaning up and plowing the Common. (1735)

On the Common

Nothing stops our DPW, even Thanksgiving Day!

Looking down School Street at the Congregational Church.

Jonathan White House. (c1818)

Congregational Church and the Common.

Soldiers Monument. (1871)

Congregational Chapel, now, one of two museums in the Village operated by the Historical Society of Amherst. Stop in for a visit sometime.(1858) 

The corner of Church and Middle Streets.

Boston Post Road, near the Flatiron.

And the end to another great Thanksgiving with my cousins, uncle, sister, nieces and nephews, family and friends.

And the next day, 29 November, under bright blue skies, the Amherst "Turkey Trot"got underway.

Two races, one a 5 kilometer run/walk and a one mile "fun run" attracted nearly 130 participants as they wound there way through beautiful Amherst Village.

The flag dropped and the 5K race is off and running.

This is the 15th annual race organized by the Amherst Junior Womens Club.

Coming up Foundry Street and turning north on Boston Post Road.

Amherst Village Tomorrow

Dear fellow Amherst Historic Society  members,

Some of you may be aware that there is a study underway regarding the future of Amherst Village. This study is meant to help develop a long-term strategic plan for the Village. 

As stewards of two buildings/museums in the historic district it is important that our membership gets involved. The link below will direct you to a survey titled Amherst Village Tomorrow. By participating in this survey your input will help identify the most pressing issues facing the Village and help formulate strategies to address them.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/?sm=CHRcY%2bA0JloH7cAuWsOQmRbdhoMiDIl6RHzLsjy7MQc%3d

Thank you in advance for your time and attention.

Dave Clark

President

The Historical Society of Amherst, NH... 

supports two museums, both located on Middle Street in Amherst Village.

Their hours are available on our website and are well worth the visit.

The Chapel Museum, built in 1858, is the white building to the right in this postcard.

A more recent photo of the Chapel Museum taken in 2012.

And now we have yet another reason to visit the Chapel Museum as Martha Cox, Katrina Holman and Susan Fischer prepare to re-hang the restored painting of Amherst citizen Barnabas David. If you'd like to see this portrait before its conservation click HERE, then drop down to the second row of photos and go to the far right. The difference is remarkable.

Please read Katrina Holmans story below.

Information and group photo above provided by Katrina Holman.

Information on the back of the Barnabas David portrait

Katrina Holman is an independent historical researcher and president of the Nipmugs chapter of Questers. Her historical articles appear regularly in the Amherst Citizen and the Historical Society of Amherst, NH's newsletter.

Historic Painting Returns to Amherst After Restoration

The large oil portrait of Barnabas Bradt David (1802-1883), painted in 1884 by Boston artist Thomas H. Badger (1820-1897) for Barnabas’s son James, looks fabulous after its recent professional conservation, including careful cleaning and repair. Mr. B. B. David was a partner in the whip man- ufacturing business of Melendy & David, who employed men and women in their factory in Amherst Village for four decades. Holding the painting, back again in its original frame, on the day of its return to the museum, October 21, 2014, are Martha Cox of Maine, painting conservator (on left); Katrina Holman, president of Nipmugs Questers; and Susan Fischer, curator for the Historical Society of Amherst. The conservation cost of $2,365 was funded by Nipmugs, a 24-member local chapter of The Questers, a non-profit organization headquartered in Philadelphia, thanks to a combination of a Questers preservation & restoration grant of $1,700 and proceeds from the sale of Historic Amherst suncatchers by Nipmugs. 

From the Amherst Citizen, Page 5, 10/28/14

Historical Society Meeting

20 October 2014

Congregational Church, Amherst, NH Village.

Amherst Historical Society president David Clark addresses the gathering with news, information concerning maintenance projects and our current financial status. The September ANTIQUES ON THE GREEN he advised, was, in spite of the less than perfect weather, another success. Continue below for a blogpost and photography concerning this annual event.

Neil Benner introduces Michael Warren from Mont Vernon, NH who is a "history enthusiast, metal detectorist and public speaker" who was here tonight to enlighten us concerning his metal detecting adventures.

Michael brought with him a varied selection of artifacts that he has discovered over the last few years. They include coins, belt buckles, nails, buttons; some that date to the 18th century. Would you like to have Michael come and search your property? You can reach him at: michael.warren007@gmail.com

He passed several pieces around with his 10X loupe for members to inspect.

Michael brought this detector with him as well as an underwater version and another small, handheld unit that he uses as he digs. He explained how he chooses areas to search, such as near a back door, which is the most utilized door in a New England home; near an old well, which again is an active area and near old cellar holes and barns.

Father and son, Aaron and Caleb Porter from Milford attended the meeting because they're avid metal detectorists themselves and were anxious to hear Micheal speak.

Caleb showed me many of his most recent finds and how he photographs and catalogs his collection.

Within a few days of Michael Warrens presentation, Dave and Sue Clark invited him to scan their property on Mack Hill Road. Rather than me describing his finds, please read Michaels email to the Clarks concerning his discoveries.

Dave,

Here is some information surrounding a Spanish New Years tradition. It calls for sweeping the old year out the front door and then sweeping in coins for good luck. Perhaps Glen was sharing traditions that he learned about in his travels and lost the couple coins that I found?

Additionally, I found a couple other neat items at your home this week. Picture attached. Of most interest is an English Half Penny that I am 99% sure is 1746 based on the bust of King George II and the almost legible date. This was located ~20' to the left of the front well, ~1/2 way on the hill.  It is anyone's guess as to whether the coin was in pocket in 1773 when you believe the original house was built. Could mean some activity on the property at an earlier date. 

Enjoy,

 Michael

To read more about Michael Warren, click HERE.

And, don't forget to join us for a meeting, bring a friend, maybe two as Neil continually strives to find interesting speakers to entertain the group. We meet five times annually, every other month during the third Monday from October through May at the Congregational Church in Amherst Village. Click over to our websites, HERE or HERE for membership information as well as great sources of information concerning town history.

Our next meeting is on Monday 8 December from 7:30 pm until 9:00 pm where we'll learn about NH ON SKIS, by John Allen.