January
2009
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Artifacts & Fiction Montgomery Historical Society P.O. Box 47 Montgomery, VT 05470 e-mail pratthall@gmail.com www.montgomeryvt.us/mhs.htm Click here for a pdf version |
Number
17
"Holy Spirit"Pratt Hall Window |
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Scott Perry - Chair/Editor Bill McGroarty - Vice Chair Marijke Dollois - Secretary Sue Wilson - Treasurer The MHS Board meets the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30. Pratt Hall in the summer, Public Safety Building Conference Room in the winter. Note cards based on the Stained Glass Windows
of Pratt Hall make a wonderful gift.
Vermont
History Quiz:
In 1900, the Vermont Woman's
Suffrage Association petitioned the Senate to pass a law releasing
women "from all taxation...until representation was granted them."
How did the all male Senate respond?
a. Sent it to the Committee on the Insane. b. Sponsored Statewide Town Referenda c. Passed Vt Suffrage Law d. Drafted a Constitutional Amendment |
Chairman's Message As part of the November 2008's League Of Local Historical Societies and VT Museum and Gallery Alliance Annual Meeting, we were treated to a wonderful one act, two actor play, "Mildred Taken Crazy" . It chronicled the life of Mildred Brewster who was found guilty of murder in a love triangle in 1897 Montpelier. Also found insane, she was eventually released and moved to Washington state where she owned a boarding house. It was written and performed by Denny Partridge and Steve Friedman who answered audience questions afterwards. The genesis of the play was an old newspaper framed on the wall of one of their friend's homes. The headline declared the verdict, but no one knew the story. Who were these people, what happened to Mildred, what did it say about that moment in time? Curiosity ate at them and after some detective work, and luck, they pieced together a fascinating story. As in art, so in life many of these journeys of discovery start with a curiosity to know more about others and ourselves whether it's murder or 3-ply packing cases. This is what the MHS is about as well, to find the grains of truth about our heritage and to preserve them for others to discover and enjoy. We have some major challenges ahead of us in this regard, including structural repairs to Pratt Hall and a new archival and exhibit facility. I'm grateful for all of your support, and hope you will be able to continue to help. The Board and I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2009. Happy New Year! Scott Perry Chairman |
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(Reminder: All MHS events are listed on the Town's Community Events Page and the Society's Calendar Page)
(Reminder: All MHS events are listed on the Town's Community Events Page and the Society's Calendar Page)
| Candles and Carols 2008
Why doesn't Santa moon people from his sleigh? He's afraid of getting frostbutt! Our annual community sing along was postponed due to a snow storm, but was held with a small group of hearty souls the following week, December 28th. Thanks to Noela McGroarty and Marijke Dollois for decorating, Andrew Massey for pulling the program together and conducting, and to all who helped continue this Society and Community tradition. I'm starting to gather new jokes for next year.
The sales of these elegant, beautiful note cards featuring photo
close ups of Pratt Hall's stained glass windows, are moving along.
They make a wonderful gift, are locally produced, and help fund our mission.
They are available from many local merchants, including Lutz's Automotive,
and the Town Clerk too. The photos are on our web site,
www.montgomeryvt.us/mhs.htm.
A complete set of 16 different cards is just $16 for members. They are professionally printed on linen stock and include matching linen envelopes. Titles and captions are printed on the back. Thanks to Suzanne Dollois for her photographic expertise and LG Printers in Swanton. MHS
Now Registered /Certified On Grants.gov
Grants.gov is a central clearing house,
or online portal, for applying for federal grants over the internet.
After an extensive (and sometimes confusing) process we successfully
certified the MHS to apply for these grants. The next step will
be to research some likely candidates and complete their applications.
We could use some help is this area, if you can help us out let
any Board member know. Thanks.
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MHS is 35 years Old!!!
2009 marks 35 years since a small group of concerned citizens organized
and formed the Montgomery Historical Society. They saved what was then
called St. Bartholomew's church from demolition and began a labor of love
that remains vital today.
The Board hopes to mount several special events to celebrate our anniversary this year including an exhibit of Montgomery's Marion Towle's (nee Gillman) paintings and embroidery. Please let Parma Jewett know if you have any items we might be able to photograph or exhibit. Thanks. VT
History Expo Canceled
for 2009
In a sign of the times the Vermont Historical Society announced
its annual History Expo for 2009 is canceled. Citing belt tightening
due to budget cuts and other economic factors, the VHS said it would re-evaluate
plans for 2010, and is soliciting ideas. So far some are
suggesting smaller regional expositions, and rotating the site
of the Expo. More info to follow.
Rare Early Photo
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Acquisitions & Donations
Betty Stanton donated a bevy of items reported on earlier and
made an extra cash donation in November as well.
The following items were donated by Sue Tillotson of Richford, Vermont: - Photographs - “Rhetorical Reader 1842” owned by and signed Chas. H. Clapp - “Fowler’s Blue Book of Selected Household Helps and guide to Household Economy 1920” owned and signed by Mrs. C. A. Gardyne - Letters from Dorothy Gardyne Dimmock to Mary Elkins Soule Thank you ladies for your generosity. Financial Matters The Board voted, at our regular monthly
meeting in November, to use the Lalia Pratt Hays Scholarship CD to
pay down the mortgage on the former Heaton property by $6,300. The
Scholarship account has never generated enough income to cover what
we award, requiring the General Fund to make up the difference.
Additionally, the interest we were earning on the account was about half
the interest we were paying on the mortgage, so we felt we could get
more bang for the buck this way. We will continue to
award the scholarship as before but will fund it entirely from the
General Fund.
The mortgage will be about $17,000 as we begin the new year, and we will consider additional reductions as deemed financially responsible once we begin our 2009 membership drive. |
Pratt Hall Pest Update
Prior to treating Pratt Hall for insects we must clean the attic so
the timbers can be sprayed. Pat Farmer, John Beaty, and Bill McGroarty
got us off to a good start in September.
Another group comprised of Pat, Ken Secor, Charlie Fichman, Allan Kalsmith, Tim Chapin, and Glen Bartolomeo finished off the bulk of the large debris removal in late October. We will be renting a large vacuum and cleaning the dust and soot this spring. It was nasty work with our dust masks black by the time we finished. We will spray in June. The same day Sue Wilson and Marijke Dollois put the gardens to bed for the winter and Parma supplied the whole crew with coffee and homemade doughnuts! Thanks to all. 
Pat Farmer cleaning the attic of Pratt Hall. Photo by Ken Secor using his cell phone! |
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2009 Membership Campaign Begins in March
We will begin our annual membership drive in March. In addition
to the satisfaction of knowing you are doing a good deed, you will receive
membership discounts, this newsletter, and complimentary Megabucks tickets
for all of 2009 ( I made that last one up.) Membership and all
donations are tax exempt. Please let us know if you need a receipt.
Vermont History Quiz Answer
a. Sent it to the Committee on the insane.
In 1917 the state became one of the first in the east to allow women to vote and hold office but only at the local level. The 19th amendment was passed by Congress in 1919 and then sent to the states to be ratified. It was received in Vermont after the legislative session had ended, and in spite of the work of the state's suffragists, Governor Percival Clement refused to convene a special session to vote on the amendment. The national amendment was ratified in 1920, but Vermont did not amend its constitution until 1924. Source "VT Book Of Days" and VT Historical Society. Board Members Chair
- Scott Perry, Vice-Chair Bill McGroarty, Secretary - Marijke Dollois,
Treasurer - Sue Wilson, Pat Farmer, Sally Newton, Jo Anne Bennett, Parma
Jewett, Bill Branthoover, Jon Beaty. Our Board meetings are open to
all members and are on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
We're
An Open Book
As a reminder, the Agendas and Minutes, which include the Treasurer's Reports, are available on our web site. |
MHS Wins Three 2008 League of Local Historical
Society (LLHS) Awards
Sue Wilson was recognized for
Excellence in Individual Achievement for her work as Society Treasurer
and Financial Advisor, a position she's held for over 12 years, and which
includes complete management of all financial assets of the Society.
She processes all expenses and revenues, and invests funds to generate as
much interest income as possible, while maintaining enough liquidity to meet
all of the Society's financial obligations.
The Society's VT History Expo exhibit received an award for Excellence in Exhibits and Museum Techniques. This exhibit documented the innovation claimed by the Atlas Plywood Corporation in the manufacture of 3-ply hardwood plywood packing cases manufactured in Montgomery by the Nelson and Hall Company in the early 1900s. It was cited for expanding the knowledge of the manufacturing process and providing a snapshot of one of the major cultural influences in Montgomery's history for the period. The Society's "Concerts By The Common" program, directed by Steve Hays for 20 years, was singled out with an award for Excellence in Society Operations. The CBTC series was credited for helping make Pratt Hall a "living artifact", keeping people coming into the building for activities, generating membership, and fostering community involvement with local history and restoration efforts. Congratulations to all! 
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