MHSNews0116

Scott Perry - Chair/Editor
Bill McGroarty - Vice Chair
Marijke Dollois - Secretary
Mark Baddorf - Treasurer

The MHS Board meets the third Thursday of the month at 9:00a.m. Pratt Hall in the su mmer, Public Safety Building Conference Room in the Winter.

History Quiz

1. What year was the first road paved in Vermont?

A. 1896 B. 1904 C. 1911 D. 1921

2. Where?

3. Montgomery now has nine places on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). About how many NRHP sites are in VT.

A. 1,000 B. 2,000

C. 3,000 D. 5,000

4. How many NRHP sites are there in Franklin County?

A. 54 B. 75 C. 102 D. 135

CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

Social Capital - Bowling Alone

This year's League of Local Historical Societies and Museums (LLHSM) Annual Meeting in Burlington was one of the best yet. Partly because of the awards we received recognizing our excellent work, and a lifetime of sustained contributions of Elsie and Lutz Saborowski (see photos below); but also because of several excellent presentations; from non-profit fundamentals to putting together walking tours. The key note speech was delivered by Stuart Comstock-Gay of the Vermont Community Foundation, who talked about what sociologists term as Social Capital and the role that organizations like ours play in fostering it in communities.

According to a short paper by Robert D. Putnam ""social capital" refers to features of social organization such as networks, norms, and social trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit." Putnam noted a decline in civic engagement in the U.S. and studied the fall in participation in a number of social contexts including a decline in bowling leagues even though non-league bowling increased.

Along the the way he and others studied impacts. Did you know that joining and participating in an organization correlated to the same increase in health as quitting smoking? The impact of social media and other digital technology on Social Capital are still being debated. This link is to the Putnam paper which is a fascinating read.

Gay ended by applauding all of or our efforts and urging us to consider the importance of this indirect (not explicitly specified in our Mission) result of our work. Sitting there I couldn't help but think about the MHS and the many other groups we have in Montgomery from the Fire Department, to the Grateful Treads, to the various committees and commissions, and local government and school. I also thought of the latest chapter in the Town history written by Jo Anne Bennett which echoes the same sentiment. I think we have a lot of Social Capital. We can always use more. Perhaps we should build a bowling alley! Thanks for your support.

Scott

LLHSM AWARD PHOTOS

Tim Chapin accepts the Award of Excellence
for the West Wall Capital Campaign and Restoration Project
from former Governor Jim Douglas.

Lutz and Elsie Saborowski recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award
for supporting Montgomery's heritage and history.

Montgomery Historical Society delegation with Gov. Douglas.

2016 "THEN AND NOW"CALENDARS

Every two years since 2012 we've published a "Then and Now" calendar sharing some of our archival photos and the corresponding view today. They are a bargain at just $15 and available at Lutz's, the Town Office and on our website for a limited time only.

Cover of the 2016 "Then and Now" Calendar

MES CRAFT SHOW

We participated in a local craft show organized by our own Sue Wilson in early December to benefit the Montgomery Elementary School. We offered books, calendars, vintage covered bridges ornaments and stained glass window note cards. Can't get more local than that!

Marijke Dollois and Susan Baddorf staff the MHS booth.

TD BANK AFFINITY PROGRAM REMINDER

This time of year we remind everyone about the TD Bank Affinity program. Anyone with a TD Bank account can designate the MHS as their Affinity partner and the Bank will make a donation based on the average aggregated annual balance.

Thanks to all of you that have already designated us. We are one of the few non-profits that have had enough program members to be eligible, and to receive an annual donation, every year.

We can always use additional members. The more participants and the more we save, the greater the donation from TD Bank.

2015 MEMBERSHIP WRAP UP

Thanks to all of you for helping us achieve our annual membership goals of 200+ memberships and over $10,000 in membership dues donations for 2015. We are humbled by your support . We are 43 years old and going strong!

OPEN HOUSE

About two dozen adults and children stopped by during our Open House on December 19th to take in the decorations and enjoy cookies and cider. Invariably we have a few people, including locals, who have never been in the building so impromptu tours break out. Many were also eager to see the final results of the West Wall project.

CANDLES AND CAROLS PACKED HOUSE AGAIN

Nearly 120 people crammed into Pratt Hall on December 20th for our first Candles and Carols sing-along since 2012. 2013's was canceled by the ice storm and 2014's construction forced another cancellation.

Steve Hays took on the musical lead, Suzanne Dollois told a story that explained why evergreen trees get to keep their leaves for winter, and Scott Perry related the story of Randolph the Bread Nose Reindeer. Titus Pressler's (the younger) interpretation of "five golden rings" was exquisite! Matt Crowley's goose a laying needed work!!

We were joined by about 15 students from Peru and Indonesia attending a student exchange program affiliated with Jay Peak. Their enthusiasm made up for any language short comings and they took a lot of selfies with the decorations.

Thanks once again to Steve, Suzanne, and chief decorator, Noela McGroarty. Also to Sam Murphy for the wonderful gingerbread house we gave away to a lucky winner! We even had a little snow!!

CHANCEL ROOF AND 2016 WORK

Rob Barnard finished the new metal chancel roof in November, culminating our work on Pratt Hall for 2015. In 2016 we hope to do the final prep and painting of the West Wall and do some high work on the clock molding and bell section louver moldings.

THIS MONTH IN VERMONT AND MONTGOMERY HISTORY

October: 1864 - St Albans Raid.

November: 2015 - Former Baptist Church officially put on the National Register of Historic Places by U.S. Dept of Interior.

December: 1944 - VT basketball federation adopts rule changes allowing 5 instead of 4 fouls, and unlimited substitutions.

HISTORY QUIZ ANSWERS

1. C. 1911

2. Lyndon.

Theodore N. Vail, President of AT&T, had purchased a modest farmhouse in Lyndon and made yearly additions, until it was transformed into a sprawling mansion. The farm was known as Speedwell Farms, and Vail entertained many notable guests, President Taft among them. Vail had the road to Speedwell Farms paved. It was the first paved road in Vermont. One guest sang praises of Speedwell Farms to the Boston Transcript, proclaiming the road from Lyndon Center "smooth as a billiard table and lined with young shade trees." Source: VT Book of Days

3. A. About 1,000

4. A. 54