Marium Foster's Boston & Maine Railroad
Historical Society Annual Membership Meeting
Story Circle Group
The Nursery of Liberty Exhibit Programs
Annual Summer Trip to Boston
Education News
"Reflections" Series Showings
2009 Sponsors
Philip Faulkner Honored
2010 Red Sox Game
Cheshire County Vital Records
Wyman Tavern News
Annual Used Book Sale
Antique Appraisal Day Returns
Calendar of Events

Marium Foster's Boston & Maine Railroad

Historical Society volunteer Brad Blodget has been working for two years on a project to organize and catalog the photo collection of former Keene resident, Marium E. Foster, who died in 1983. Marium worked for the Boston & Maine Railroad for four decades and served as a Fitchburg Division correspondent for the B&M Railroad Employees’ Magazine from 1928 until 1960, chronicling events in the lives of numerous local B&M employees and daily activities in the Fitchburg Division. The result was a collection of 1200 photos that illustrate a generation of railroad history in and around Keene.

Most of this collection is comprised of photos and negatives donated at various times by her niece, Flora May Hammond of Keene. Since the project began, Helen (Simoneau) Desmarais of Winchendon, Massachusetts, donated an additional 21 Foster photos which have been consolidated into the collection. Helen Desmarais’ father was Napoleon "Poly" Simoneau, Boston & Maine Railroad agent in Keene from 1958 to the mid-1960’s. Brad undertook this project in January 2008 and has, so far, spent over 400 hours working with the collection. Each photo is researched, captioned, and organized in archival sleeves. A finding aid for the collection is being prepared, which will also include a biographical sketch of Miss Foster.

To date, 1,186 photo prints, plus many duplicates and negatives, have been classified and assigned to categories. Most of the black & white photos cover the period 1933-1967. The largest categories include railroad people and scenes along the Boston & Maine’s Cheshire Branch between South Ashburnham, Massachusetts and Bellows Falls, Vermont. Keene and Winchendon, Massachusetts, are especially well-represented in the railroad categories, with 203 and 410 photos, respectively. Thirty-five photos of the iconic streamline train (number 6000) running as the Cheshire, comprise a discrete category. Some of the other catego- ries of images include homes, downtown/Central Square, Keene and parades.

Brad reports that a particularly challenging part of organizing this collection has been trying to identify the many individuals, mostly railroad-associated people, in the photos. Out of approximately 425 railroad people who Marium captured on film, the identities of some remain a mystery. HSCC members, retired railroad employees, and others have been of invaluable assistance with the task of identifying people in the photos. Brad would be very interested in hearing any historical tidbits or remembrances of Miss Foster that anyone may wish to share. He can be reached at 1246 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520 or 508-829-2496.

The Marium E. Foster Collection is another example of the Society’s effort to "preserve history". Her 1200 photographs offer a view of an essential element of transportation history that many remember, but that has now disappeared from our local landscape. The Society is considering collecting the best of these images in a photo history book.

Historical Society Annual Membership Meeting

Marcia Schmidt Blaine will be the speaker at HSCC’s annual meeting on Monday, April 26, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Blaine, Associate Professor of History at Plymouth State University, will explore the world of 18th century female tavern keepers with a program entitled “A Woman That Keeps Good Order:” Women, Tavern Keeping, and Public Approval.

When her husband died in 1736, Ann Jose Harvey became the owner of a prominent Portsmouth, New Hampshire tavern and sole guardian of at least seven small children. In a world were men dominated most business affairs, Ann Harvey oversaw government regulations, licensing, the handling of drunks, and controlled the flow of information in an increasingly prosperous tavern for at least twenty years. A tavern, however, was potentially the most disruptive place in town. Why would the government allow a woman to run a tavern? Why would a woman want to keep one? Why would her community approve of it?

Here in Keene, two prominent taverns were run by the wife and family after their husband had died. Isaac Wyman died in 1790, and his wife Sarah and family continued running the tavern into the early 19th century. Janet Ralston operated the Ralston Tavern after her husband Alexander died in 1819. The Ralston Tavern is now Margueritas on Main Street. Refreshments will be served following the meeting. For more information, call 352-1895, or email Tom at dired@hsccnh.org.

Story Circle Group

The Story Circle Group, which was part of the recent Reflection Film Series, will be offering a series of story circles beginning in April. Everyone is welcome to attend and/or participate in the sharing and collecting of these valuable pieces of our region’s history.

Saturday - April 24 at 10:30 a.m.
"School Days Remembered" story circle will be an opportunity to share stories about your experiences of going to school. Held at the HSCC.

Wednesday - May 19 at 7:00 p.m.
"The One Room Schoolhouse" story circle will be an opportunity for anyone, teachers or students, to share their one or two room schoolhouse experiences. Held at the HSCC.

Saturday - June 12 at 10:30 a.m.
"Entertainment and Eateries" story circle will be an opportunity to share your remembrances on events that you attended and places you ate. Held at the Keene Public Library.

The Story Circle Group is a collaboration between the Keene Public Library, Cheshire TV, Monadnock Institute, and the Historical Society of Cheshire County.

The Nursery of Liberty:
Schools and Education in the Monadnock Region

Wednesday - April 21, 2010 Eleanor VanderHeagen will present a program on "A Hundred Years of Training Teachers" which will explore the history of Keene State College, from its roots as a Normal School to its current role in the community. Program begins at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday - May 1, 2010
Nursery of Liberty Gallery Walk at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday - May 19, 2010
"The One Room Schoolhouse Story Circle." See Story Circle Group Schedule.

Sunday - June 13, 2010
Open House tour of the region’s One Room Schoolhouses. 12:00 to 4:00 pm.

Wednesday - June 16, 2010
Nursery of Liberty Gallery Walk at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday - July 1, 2010
Last day to view The Nursery of Liberty: Schools and Education in the Monadnock Region.

For further information on any of these programs, please contact HSCC at 352-1895 or hscc@hsccnh.org.

Annual Summer Trip to Boston

Are you looking to do some genealogical research in Boston? Or would you like to visit historic sites, shop, or sightsee in Boston for a day? If so, HSCC is planning a bus trip for Wednesday, July 21st, and currently taking reservation for our trip to Boston.

The bus will leave HSCC at 6:45 a.m. and will stop at the National Archives Regional Office in Waltham, downtown Boston in front of the New England Historic and Genealogical Society on Newbury Street, and at the J.F.K Library and Massachusetts Archives at Colombia Point. The bus will leave Boston about 4:30 p.m. and return to Keene about 7:30 p.m.

Cost for this day long trip is $30.00 for HSCC members and $35.00 for non-members. We need at least 32 people to register to make this trip possible, so please let your friends know about this opportunity for research and fun in Boston. To sign up for this trip, please contact HSCC at 352-1895 or hscc@hsccnh.org.

Education News

On the second Wednesday of each month during the school year between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m., HSCC’s Director of Education will be available to work with any educator who is seeking to use more local history in their classroom. For further information, please contact Tom Haynes at 352-1895 or dired@hsccnh.org.

HSCC’s Transportation Fund covers the cost of a school bus so children throughout Cheshire County can have quality museum experiences in Keene. In partnership with the Horatio Colony House Museum, in the five years the fund has operated children from almost every community in Cheshire County have visited Keene. Because of tighter school budgets and limited money for field trips, the Transportation Fund has become increasingly important to regional schools. Please consider a contribution to the Transportation Fund to help HSCC maintain this valuable and increasingly used service. For further information, please contact Tom Haynes at 352-1895 or dired@hsccnh.org. Thank you!

"Reflections" Series Showings

The five "Reflections" movies will be shown at the Keene Public Library starting in April. Showings will be at 7 pm on Thursdays and 2 pm on Saturdays.  The schedule will be:

April 15 & 17 – "The Hurricane of 1938"
April 22 & 24 – "Trolleys, Trains and Flyers"
April 29 & May 1 – "Pisgah: A Place Apart"
May 6 & 8 – "The County Complex: Farm, Nursing Home, Jail"
May 13 & 14 – "Flannels to Fuses: Textile Mills in the Monadnock Region"

DVD copies of each movie as well as the boxed set of all five movies are available for sale here at the Historical Society for $15 each or $50 for the boxed set.

HSCC 2009 Program Sponsors

Ariel Printing
Ashuelot Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
Connecticut River Bank
Creative Encounters
Good Fortune
Keene Sentinel
Monadnock Folklore Society
New Hampshire Humanities Council
Savings Bank of Walpole
Carin Torp Healing Arts PLLC

2009 Auction Sponsors

The Gravina Wealth Management Group
Of Wells Fargo Advisors
In the Company of Flowers
Kristin's Bistro and Bakery
Sunflowers Cafe and Catering
Cheshire Oil Company
Hampshire First Bank
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Jacobs
Barbara Jones
Perfecta Wines
Pregent Antiques & Auctions
Cheshire Medical Center

Philip Faulkner Honored

Phil Faulkner has long been an active and supportive member of the Historical Society of Cheshire County, serving on the board of trustees, various committees, conducting research, and supporting the organization in many other ways. His work in the area of local history goes far beyond the Historical Society, however. He has also contributed countless hours working with the Keene Heritage Commission, Foundation for the Preservation of Historic Keene, Monadnock Conservancy, Keene city government, and numerous other organizations to preserve the heritage of Keene and the region.

Members of the Heritage Commission and the community recently made generous contributions to the Historical Society in Phil’s honor for his "leadership and dedication on the Heritage Commission." These gifts not only honor his work in the area of historic preservation, but they will also help to insure that the work that Phil has supported for years will continue through the mission of the Historical Society.

This was a wonderful way to recognize and honor Phil Faulkner’s hard work and dedication and to support the work of the Society at the same time. Society director Alan Rumrill said that "the Historical Society is appreciative of these generous contributions, and is deeply appreciative of the tireless efforts of Phil Faulkner to preserve the history of the community."

Batter Up!  7th Annual Trip to Fenway Park

There are a few tickets remaining for our annual trip to watch the Red Sox play. This year’s game is on Tuesday, May 11th against the Toronto Blue Jays. The bus will leave HSCC at 3:30 p.m. for the 7:10 p.m. game time.

Seating for this year’s game will be in two sections. Tickets for the Outfield Grandstand Section 10 will be $65.00 for HSCC members and $70.00 for non-members. Tickets for the Right Field Roof Box Section 27 will be $85.00 for HSCC members and $90.00 for non-members. Ticket costs include game admission, transportation, and a $10 donation to HSCC’s educational programs. To secure your ticket(s), please contact HSCC at 352-1895.

Cheshire County Vital Records Available for Research

The Historical Society recently took another important step in its efforts to enhance its research collections for genealogists and history scholars. The organization purchased 36 reels of microfilm containing copies of the surviving original vital records for most towns in Cheshire County, giving us one of the most complete collections of Cheshire County vital records in existence. These records date from the 1730s to the late 1880s, when towns began to publish their vital records annually. The Society also owns compilations of most of those later vital records.

Prior to this purchase, the Society was often forced to send researchers to town clerks or to the state vital records office to request this information. This will make these important records available in one central location and should also save time for the region’s busy town clerks who may have fewer vital records requests in the future.

This important purchase was made possible by funds from the organization’s Muriel Robbins Fund. This fund was created with contributions made in memory of Muriel Robbins, long-time Society member, board member, and genealogical teacher and advocate; the fund is dedicated to the enhancement of the Society’s research collection. The vital records microfilm is available for research during the Historical Society’s open hours.

Wyman Tavern News

The Wyman Tavern Museum will open for another season of programs and activities beginning on May 4th by appointment, and from 11:00 to 4:00 Thursday through Saturday, beginning on June 3 through September 4.

If you cannot wait to get out into the yard to do some work in the spring, we have a volunteer project you will want to be involved in. Each spring a group of Society trustees, staff, members, and friends volunteer their time on a Saturday morning in April to undertake necessary yard work at the Wyman Tavern to prepare for another season of historical activities. On Saturday April 24 we will gather at the Tavern at 339 Main Street at 9:00 a.m. in the morning to rake, trim, prune, and haul. We hope you will join us for this fun and rewarding morning of volunteer work. Please bring your gloves and a rake.

HSCC has a summer internship position opening for an individual to gain experience in the field of museum studies. This 15 week paid position, 20 hours per week, runs from May 24 through September 2. The intern will be responsible for interpretive tours, developing and overseeing day long children’s programs, and assisting with school groups and summer camps. For further information, please contact Tom Haynes at 352-1895 or dired@hsccnh.org.

HSCC has a need for spring and summer volunteers to help with interpretive tours, school groups, and summer programs at the Tavern. Please contact Tom Haynes at 352-1895 for further information.

The Monadnock Garden Club will be holding their Annual Plant Sale at the Wyman Tavern over the Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 29, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

There will be two summer camps for children at the Tavern in July, along with activities each Friday afternoon.

Monday-Friday - July 12-16 - 9:00 to 4:00
Sheep to Wool: Colonial Farming for Necessities

Monday-Friday - July 26-30 - 9:00 to 4:00
Revolutionary War Kids

Details for all the summer programs will be in the June newsletter, or on the HSCC webpage at www.hsccnh.org.

A Tavern Keeper is an individual, family, or business who supports one week of operations at the Tavern. This support helps cover the costs of the educational programs and summer intern during the 15 weeks the Tavern operates during the summer. Without this support, our wonderful Tavern would remain closed. Please consider supporting a week of operations at the Tavern with a $250.00 donation. Your gift will help keep our Tavern a vibrant and active place this summer. If you are interested in becoming a Tavern Keeper, please contact Tom Haynes at 352-1895 or dired@hsccnh.org.

Thank You to our 2009 Tavern Keepers
Julianna Bergeron
Arthur & Lynn Simington
Rick & Betsey Church
Bob & Jan Weekes
Susan Landers-Gilbert
Norman & Barbara Woodward
Peter & Cornelia Jenness
Bob & Lisa Wyman
Dr. H. Roger and Nancy Hansen

Donations Needed For Annual Used Book Sale

The Historical Society will hold its tenth annual used book sale on May 7 and 8, 2010 and we need your books! For the tenth year in a row a local book dealer has made a generous contribution of used books for our fund raising event, but we also need additional contributions. Members and friends supplement this sale for us each year by donating up to 1000 volumes to add to those already contributed for the sale.

We are hoping to receive gifts of saleable hardcover nonfiction books to add to the selection available for sale. Topics such as history, antiques, architecture, travel, nature, biography, or similar subjects would be appropriate for this sale. Recent hardcover fiction is also popular, but we are not seeking mass market paperbacks, older fiction, textbooks, or damaged items. This will generally be a “$1.00 per book” sale, but we also have an attractive selection of higher priced items in the fields of history, literature and other categories.

Are your bookshelves overflowing? We would be delighted to receive your books. They should be delivered to the Society by May 5th. Pick-up of items may also be possible. Please call 352-1895 if you are unsure if your books are appropriate for this sale, for additional information or to arrange for pick-up.

Antique Appraisal Day Returns On Saturday June 5

Four well known New Hampshire antique dealers, auctioneers and appraisers will lead the Historical Society’s 2010 antique appraisal day. Generalist Charles Cobb and specialists Richard Betz, Michael George and Rob Kenney will be available to examine and evaluate your items. Do you have a treasure that you would like to know more about – a family heirloom or a yard sale find? Is it valuable? Where did it come from? Should it be insured? Bring your treasures (or pictures of your treasures if they are too big to carry!) to HSCC on Saturday, June 5, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and get your questions answered.

Our appraisal team has more than a century of professional antiques and collectibles experience. They will be prepared to evaluate objects from all major collecting areas except coins, stamps, jewelry and musical instruments. All of our appraisers are generously donating their time to support the Society. Their specialties are:

Charles Cobb, The Cobbs Auctioneers – General antiques
Richard Betz, Hemispheres Antique Maps & Prints – Maps and atlases
Michael George, Bottleshow.com – Early American bottles and glass
Rob Kenney, Homestead Bookshop – Books

Participants are asked to limit the number of items appraised to three. The cost of participating in the appraisal day is $10 per item or $25 for three items. Verbal appraisals will be given. All proceeds benefit the work of the Historical Society.

Calendar of Events

Friday, April 9, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, HSCC Exhibit Hall. Technology and Design one-day Camp.

Wednesday, April 14, 4:00 to 8:00 pm, Wright Room. Teacher Research Night.

Wednesday, April 21, 7:00 pm., HSCC Exhibit Hall. Talk: A Hundred Years of Training Teachers.

Saturday, April 24, 10:30 am, HSCC Exhibit Hall. School Days Remembered Story Circle.

Saturday, April 24, 9:00 am., Wyman Tavern. Clean up Day.

Monday, April 26, 7:00 pm., HSCC Exhibit Hall. Historical Society Annual Meeting.

Friday, April 30, 10:00 am, HSCC Exhibit Hall. CALL Class: In the Shadow of Monadnock. Last Class.

Saturday, May 1, 10:00 am, HSCC Exhibit Hall. Nursery of Liberty Gallery Walk.

Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8, HSCC Exhibit Hall. Used Book Sale.

Tuesday, May 11, 3:30 pm., HSCC. Red Sox Game against Toronto Blue Jays. Bus leaves from front of HSCC.

Wednesday, May 12, 4:00 to 8:00 pm., Wright Room. Teacher Research Night.

Wednesday, May 19, 7:00 pm., HSCC Exhibit Hall. The One Room Schoolhouse Story Circle.

Saturday, May 29, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm., Wyman Tavern. Monadnock Garden Club Plant Sale.

Thursday, June 3, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Wyman Tavern Opens for the Season. (Regular Hours: Thursday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, June 3 through September 4).

Saturday, June 5, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm., HSCC Exhibit Hall. Antique Appraisal Day.

Wednesday, June 16, 7:00 pm., HSCC Exhibit Hall. Nursery of Liberty Gallery Walk.

July 1, HSCC Exhibit Hall. Last Day to view The Nursery of Liberty Exhibit.