On October 5, 2005 a tropical storm churning off the east coast of Florida was given the name "Tammy" as the 19th named tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The residents of the Monadnock region had no idea how this storm would impact their lives in just a few days. The storm dropped heavy rain from the Carolinas to New England as it moved northward. The storm moved up the Connecticut River Valley, and rain began to fall in Alstead at about 7:00 p.m. on Friday October 7. Almost 11 inches of rain fell over the next 36 hours, spawning the now famous Alstead Flood of 2005.

An exhibit was prepared in Alstead on the first anniversary of the flood to commemorate the event, to remind the residents of the region of the power of the water and the devastation that it caused, and to honor those who lost their lives in the flood. Now, on the second anniversary of the historic flood, the exhibit will be installed at HSCC so a wider audience may learn the story of the Alstead flood of 2005. The exhibit will be in place at the Society from October 10 through October 31, 2007.

Those who were in Alstead on that weekend will never forget those 36 hours. Between 7:00 p.m. on Friday and midnight on Saturday 7½ inches of rain fell, exceeding the estimated 100-year 24-hour rainfall by almost 1½ inches. The normal channels for water movement and dispersal simply could not handle it all. Low lying areas around the region began to flood after midnight. By morning a large percentage of downtown Keene was under water and the village of Stoddard was isolated because all roads leading into the village were flooded.

Back in Alstead, Forest Road (Route 123) was closed to traffic on Saturday night and residents below Lake Warren were notified that they might have to evacuate their homes. At Spooner Flats along Forest Road the rushing water of Camp Brook joined Warren Brook and their commingled flow rushed toward Cold River and then the Connecticut River. At the north end of Spooner Flats the culvert under Cooper Hill Road carried the water of Warren Brook on its way to Cold River. Before midnight on Saturday the 12-foot culvert was full and the water rose five feet and then six feet above it. Spooner flats began to fill with water and the normally dry area became a lake.

At 1:00 a.m. on Sunday morning Lake Warren flowed over the top of the dam at the northwest corner of the lake and sent even more water into Spooner Flats below. The level of the water behind the Cooper Hill Road culvert continued to rise and the residents along Forest Road below the culvert were asked to evacuate at 2:30 a.m. Some residents refused to leave their homes.

By 5:30 Sunday morning Spooner Flats had become a huge lake as the water rose 33 feet above the culvert inlet at Cooper Hill Road. Alstead's emergency personnel continued to evacuate residents as more than ten inches of rain had fallen in the town. The sun rose at 5:56 a.m. on Sunday October 9. Twelve minutes later water was running over the top of Cooper Hill Road. A code red was declared and all residents downstream were ordered to evacuate. Cooper Hill Road and the area around the culvert were undermined and at 7:01 a.m. the culvert let loose. In about 20 minutes the road was gone and the huge lake that had formed behind it rushed down Warren Brook, along and over Forest Road and toward Alstead Village below in a wall of water 12 to 14 feet high.

The devastation wrought by this wall was almost impossible to comprehend. Homes, businesses, automobiles, trees, hills, boulders, and large sections of Forest Road were simply swept away and disappeared down the river. Several individuals survived by escaping to higher ground as the water rushed toward them. Tragically, four Alstead residents were not so lucky and died in the flood.

The Alstead Flood Exhibit that will be in place at the Historical Society during October literally maps the progress and devastation of the flood waters in the town. Many "before and after" illustrations chronicle the destructive power of the rushing waters. The exhibit was compiled by the Alstead Historical Society and residents of Alstead who want to be sure that the story of the flood and the lives that were lost are remembered into the future and commemorated as part of the region's history.

This dramatic and poignant exhibition will be in place in the Society's Exhibit Hall, 246 Main Street in Keene, during the organization's open hours from October 10 through October 31.

New Book Tells the Alstead Flood Story

The HSCC Museum Store offers a wide selection of local history books, notecards, posters, maps, and art work. It is open during regular hours and has in stock to accompany the Alstead Flood Exhibit Too Much Water, Too Much Rain: The Story of the Alstead Flood. This wonderfully organized and written book by the Alstead Historical Society and edited by three Fall Mountain High School students offers a chronology of events that fully tells the story of the flood through the many experiences of the Alstead community. The cost of Too Much Water, Too Much Rain is $26.95 for HSCC members and $29.95 for non-HSCC members.

Susan Landers Gilbert, President
Richard Church, V. President
Barbara Woodward, Treasurer

Trustees
Ernest L. Bell, William Faulkner, Verne Greene, John W. Harris, Gregory Knouff, Sean O'Mara, David Proper, Jane Reynolds, Stillman Rogers, Philip Taaffe, Jim Talbert, Bob Weekes, Christine Weeks

Staff Changes at HSCC

Curatorial assistant Marie Royce Ruffle retired from the Society last June. Marie had been involved with HSCC as a volunteer and board member prior to joining the staff as curatorial assistant 17 years ago. In addition to overseeing the Society's artifact collections, Marie is well known for two other responsibilities within the organization. She worked long hours behind the scenes to insure that each of our feature exhibits was perfectly arranged and displayed for the crowds on opening night. Several photos of Marie installing exhibits appeared in the Keene Sentinel in recent years, bringing her much deserved attention for those duties. She may be best remembered, however, for her work as manager and docent at our Wyman Tavern period house. She loved the Tavern and knew the building, its history, and collections in great detail. Her detailed guided tours were legendary and drew praise from visitors from across the country. Marie was professional, talented, fun to work with, and very interested in history and the Society itself. She is already deeply missed by the staff and volunteers, but is remaining active with the organization as a volunteer. We express our sincere gratitude for her 17 years of service to the Society.

The newly formed position of director of operations at the Society has been filled by Julie C. Dickson of Keene. This new administrative position is important to the future direction of the Society and we are pleased that Julie has accepted the challenge to develop the position. She worked for our neighbor Keene State College for more than 20 years. Julie worked in the advancement office and spent the last 13 years as assistant and executive assistant to the president of the college. She possesses skills, knowledge and an understanding of the community that will be valuable assets in this new position. Julie lives in Keene with her husband Jay Smeltz. We are delighted that she has joined us and hope that you will stop in at the Society to meet her.

11th Annual Benefit Auction

The Historical Society's 11th annual benefit auction will be held on Saturday October 6, 2007 in the Society's Exhibit Hall. This important fundraising event has raised more than $60,000 for the organization over the years. Plan to attend and acquire a delightful antique, collectible or gift certificate for yourself or to use as a gift. Many quality items have already been received for the auction, including furniture, paintings, transferware, early maps, paintings, bottles, pottery, postcards, local history books, silver, gift certificates, and a variety of other items. The Gallery at Knotty Pine Auction Service has once again generously donated its time to manage the sale, with Knotty Pine's John Pappas serving as auctioneer.

The auction is one of the Society's most important fundraising events of the year. We hope you will consider making a donation or consignment to the sale. Auction lots will be accepted until September 26th. We encourage everyone to attend and to bring your friends as you will surely find an item to treasure while supporting the Historical Society. Watch your mailbox for additional details.

Precision Manufacturing Exhibit

HSCC's next feature exhibit will focus on precision manufacturing in the Connecticut River Valley. The exhibit will open on November 14 in the Society's Exhibit Hall, and feature four components: the Precision Manufacturing Exhibit, selected in 1999 to represent NH statewide precision machining at the Smithsonian Institution; the SPIN Exhibit, selected in 2000 by the Clinton White House as New Hampshire's arts & humanities project for the Millennium; the Mill Tapestry Project, a 6' x 13' tapestry that depicts the Dorr Woolen in the mill village of Guild, NH; and the precision manufacturing industry in Keene, from historic gun, turbine, and automobile manufacturers to today's firms such as Markem, Kingsbury, Timken, Precitech, and many others. Three of the four exhibit components were designed by Patryc Wiggins of the Guild Institute. The exhibit will inaugurate a city-wide project focusing on Keene's world class precision manufacturing and advanced engineering industries. The initial phase of the project will include lectures, factory tours, and school programs. Details of the exhibit and associated programs will be in the Historical Society's November newsletter.

September Membership Meeting With The
Chamber Singers of Keene

HSCC will offer a special September membership meeting that will feature The Chamber Singers of Keene in a program entitled "'Nothing Else to Do:' A Lecture/Concert Journey Through Early American Music." The Keene Chamber Singers were founded in 1994, and are a group of about 20 men and women dedicated to bringing choral chamber music in all its forms to Monadnock Region audiences. They are directed by Jean Nelson, a retired music educator and past president of the New Hampshire Music Educators Association and the New Hampshire Choral Directors Association, and currently a supervisor of student teachers in music at Keene State College.

This program on Early American vocal music will feature the music of William Billings, Justin Morgan, Stephen Foster, Aaron Copland, and others. Please join us for a wonderful evening of songs and musical history by The Keene Chamber Singers on Tuesday September 25, 2007 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in HSCC's Exhibit Hall.

Please note that the September Membership Meeting will be on a Tuesday instead of our normal Monday meeting day.

Education News

HSCC will offer a fall introductory class on "Doing Genealogy Research" through the Keene State College Continuing Education Program. This five-week course will demonstrate how to conduct genealogical research, with each session examining different aspects of the research process, including how to get started, using local history resources, museums, libraries, internet, cemeteries, deeds, and probate records. Through lectures, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and field trips the class will offer the basic skills and tools to start you on the path toward uncovering your family heritage.

The class will be held at HSCC on Wednesday evenings beginning September 26th and continuing through October 24th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. HSCC's Director of Education Tom Haynes and local genealogist Verne Greene will be teaching the class. To register, please contact Continuing Education at Keene State College at 358-2290, 800-572-1909, or continuing-ed@keene.edu, or visit the Keene State College website at www.keene.edu/conted. Cost for the class is $125.00. For further information on any aspect of the class, please contact Tom Haynes at 352-1895 or dired@hsccnh.org.

Throughout the school year, HSCC's Director of Education Tom Haynes will be available between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month to assist any educator in developing or enhancing classroom material that has a local history component. Teacher Research Nights will begin on October 10, 2007 and continue through May 14, 2008.

Volunteering

Volunteers play a vital role at HSCC, and we are always interested in deepening our volunteer support. We have many different kinds of volunteer positions to fit your interests. If you would like to consider volunteering, please contact Julie Dickson at 352-1895 or dirop@hsccnh.org.

Wyman Tavern News

We wish to thank our wonderful 2007 Tavern Keepers: Anonymous; Juliana Bergeron; Bragdon & Berkson, P.C., Stephen Bragdon; Mary Louise Caffrey; Rick and Betsey Church; Dartmouth Club of Southwest NH; A.G. Edwards and Sons, Jim Talbert; Hamshaw Lumber, Inc.; Sarah Handford; The Insurance Source, Cheryl Belair; IPG Employee Benefits; Peter, Neil and Cathy Jenness; The Melanson Company, Inc.; Robert and Jan Weekes; Albert Weeks; and Barbara and Norman Woodward.

Our Wyman Tavern was an active place this summer. In June, more than 360 students toured the Tavern, led by period dressed guides as part of their spring school group visit.

Over five weeks during July and August, HSCC introduced a new summer series of programs for kids and families on 18th Century Life in Cheshire County. These two-and one-day programs offered participants an opportunity to experience and reflect on what life was like in the region during the late 18th century. The programs included 18th Century Games and Toys; Storytelling, Silhouettes, and Shadow Plays, with their shadow plays performed at the Tavern on a Friday evening; Diaries and Journaling; and Samplers and Quilts.

Each of the summer programs was well received and attended, and we look forward to offering educational programs for kids and family at the Tavern next year.

Our fifth annual Wyman Tavern Lecture Series on Early American Life in Cheshire County was held in July and August. This year's series theme was "Survivors of War: Experiences & Remembrances," with programs on Susannah Johnson and her family who were English captives during the French and Indian War; Josiah Richardson who fought at the Bennington battle with General John Stark in 1777; and Cpl. Lewis Smith who was a member of the 14th Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers during the Civil War.

We wish to thank Marie Royce Ruffle, Bob & Sue Wellwood, Caroline Huntley, Laurel Powell, Eric Lindquist, and the many volunteers who helped contribute to a successful spring and summer of educational programs at the Wyman Tavern.

The Wyman Tavern Museum and the Horatio Colony House Museum will open their doors for a Candlelight Open House on Friday October 5th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

The Tavern was built in 1762 and used as a tavern by the Wyman family for 40 years. The Reverend Zedekiah S. Barstow, the last minister hired by the town of Keene, made the tavern his home for the next 55 years. Both the Tavern and Barstow period of occupation are represented in the museum.

The Horatio Colony House Museum is a stately Federal style home that was built in 1806. It was the home of Horatio Colony, descendant of one of Keene's historic families. The house is filled with original family furnishings and fabulous collections. The furnishings span from the 18th through the late 19th century, giving the house a warm, eclectic look of refinement and grace.

Both museum facilities are located on the same side of Main Street (west side) and within easy walking distance. The Wyman Tavern Museum is at 339 Main and the Horatio Colony House Museum is at 199 Main Street. Please come feel the warmth and charm of the Wyman Tavern when lit by candlelight as it might have been two hundred years ago during this free and open to the public open house.

During the fall the Wyman Tavern will be open by appointment only until Friday November 9th when it closes for the winter. To schedule a visit or perhaps a meeting at one of Keene's most historic structures, please contact HSCC at 352-1895.

Roundtable Forum

The fall meeting of the Monadnock Historical Societies Forum will be held at the Troy Historical Society's Kimball Hall, 4 Depot Street, on Thursday October 18, 2007 beginning at 9:30 a.m. To highlight the recent restoration of the Troy Railroad Depot, this Roundtable meeting will focus on the history of the railroad in the Monadnock Region, and will include presentations, a panel discussion, and a tour of the Troy Historical Society's museum and restored depot.

The Monadnock Historical Societies Forum participated in Reliving New Hampshire's Past, a history fair hosted by the Newport Historical Society on Saturday June 2nd. Although the turnout for the fair was less than expected, the networking with the other participants was helpful and informative.

We wish to thank volunteers Neil Jenness, Jan Carpenter, and Carin Torp for all their efforts in creating and hosting the Newport History Day booth during the fair for the benefit and promotion of the Roundtable Forum.

The Grantham Historical Society has invited Tom Haynes, HSCC's Director of Education and organizer of the Monadnock Historical Societies Forum, to speak at their October membership meeting to discuss establishing a Roundtable Forum with the historical organization in the Grantham and Newport area. The success of the Monadnock Historical Societies Forum is a model for other regional forums to consider throughout the state and the New England region.

For further information on this upcoming meeting in Troy or any other aspect of the Roundtable Forum, please contact Tom Haynes at 352-1895 or dired@hsccnh.org.

2007 Sponsors

We want to thank our community partners who are generously supporting our 2007 educational programs. Please acknowledge their support by letting them know how much you appreciate their contributions in helping us share our rich history.

To all 2007 sponsors:            Thank You!

Sponsors and Programs for 2007

A.G. Edwards of Keene - February newsletter.

Ariel Printing of Keene - April newsletter.

Ashuelot Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution - June teacher workshop on the Age of Expansion and Reform.

C & S Wholesale Grocers of Keene - spring/summer New Hampshire Then & Now Exhibit.

Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth Hitchcock Keene - New HSCC brochure.

Connecticut River Bank of Charlestown and Keene - February membership meeting on Julia Ward Howe.

Mark Corliss Multi-Media Creations of Keene - spring/summer New Hampshire Then & Now Exhibit.

Colony House Bed & Breakfast of Keene - June newsletter.

Cox Woodworking of Westmoreland - Winter Meetinghouse Exhibit.

Creative Encounters of Keene - spring/summer New Hampshire Then & Now Exhibit.

Fenton Family Dealerships of Keene - Transportation Fund.

Tom & Elke Hanna of Keene - spring/summer New Hampshire Then & Now Exhibit bookmarks.

Indian King Framery & Ashton Gallery of Keene - spring/summer New Hampshire Then & Now Exhibit.

Nick Isaak of Keene - spring/summer New Hampshire Then & Now Exhibit.

Karevy Photography of Keene - spring/summer New Hampshire Then & Now Exhibit.

Keene Elm City Rotary Club - Transportation Fund.

Keene Lions Club - Transportation Fund.

Keene Rotary Club - Transportation Fund.

The Keene Sentinel - Winter Meetinghouse Exhibit; spring/summer New Hampshire Then & Now Exhibit; June Teacher Workshop; Summer Programs at the Wyman Tavern.

Keene State College Diversity Commission and Commission on the Status of Woman - February membership meeting on Julia Ward Howe.

Munsonville Ladies Group - Transportation Fund.

New England Art Exchange of Keene - spring/summer New Hampshire Then & Now Exhibit.

New Hampshire Humanities Council - June Teacher Workshop; and Wyman Tavern Lecture Series.

Ocean National Bank of Keene - Winter Meetinghouse Exhibit and Publication.

Daniel V. Scully, Architect of Keene - Winter Meetinghouse Exhibit.

Ray's Camera & Photography of Keene - spring/summer New Hampshire Then & Now Exhibit.

Shaw Gallery & Frame Shop of Keene - spring/summer New Hampshire Then & Now Exhibit.

SVE Associates of Keene - Winter Meetinghouse Exhibit.

Albert H. Weeks, P.C. of Keene - Winter Meetinghouse Exhibit bookmarks.

Weller & Michal Architects of Keene - Winter Meetinghouse Exhibit.

Calendar of Events

For further information, call 603-352-1895, email hscc@hsccnh.org, or visit our website at www.hsccnh.org

Saturday - September 1
Wyman Tavern closes for the summer season.

Tuesday - September 25
Membership Meeting at HSCC, Chamber Singers of Keene, 7:30 p.m. (see related article). Please note that the membership meeting will be on a Tuesday instead of our normal Monday meeting day.

Wednesday - September 26
Genealogy Class. Five-week introductory class at HSCC to October 24 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. (see related article).

Friday - October 5
Wyman Tavern Open House, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wyman Tavern (see related article).

Saturday - October 6
Antique and Collectible Auction, at HSCC, 10:00 a.m. (see related article).

Saturday - October 10
Alstead Flood Exhibit Opening at HSCC (see related article). Exhibit will be on view through Saturday October 31.

Wednesday - October 14
Teacher Research Night, HSCC from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. (see related article).

Thursday - October 18
Roundtable Forum in Troy, 9:30 a.m. (see related article).

Wednesday - November 14
Precision Manufacturing Exhibit Opening at HSCC (see related article).

Thursday-Saturday - November 22-24
HSCC will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday.