April 2010
2nd Quarter Number 22 |
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 printer friendly pdf version |
Pratt
Hall
Watercolor by Michael Domina |
|
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. Great gifts. Notecards and Michael Domina
prints are still available.
Vermont History Quiz: Originally
named the Union Church in the 1830s, when was Pratt Hall renamed St.
Bartholomew's?
a. 1874 b. 1897 c. 1901 d. 1905 |
Chairman's Message Excerpt from the Teaching American History Professional Development Program Core Activities for Teachers grant proposal, emphasis added... "Goal 1: Increase teacher knowledge and understanding of... historical eras, with an emphasis on democratic principals of freedom, justice, and equality as articulated in national and Vermont founding documents. " The theme of the keynote speech at the League of Local Historical Societies Annual Meeting in late 2009 was that often times some real cultural jewels can be found in small, unassuming, museums and historical societies; also often in the middle of nowhere. So when I was contacted by Scott MacLauglin from UVM about the grant he was writing (above) his thesis struck a chord. He felt professional development of teachers of American history could be enhanced by a partnership network of teachers and such organizations throughout Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties. His grant would spread the effort over the next five years and be aimed at building relationships, including some paid internships for teachers for any number of history related projects. (I'm working on ideas now.) While I'm not an expert on education in any way this seems basic to our mission and a natural fit. We host school visits, award scholarships, mount exhibits, and sponsor speakers; and now with any luck we will be able to support area teachers with our humble collection and energetic people. The Board agreed to sign our organization up for the program and is enthusiastic about our potential role. As always, thanks for your support, Scott Perry, Chairman |
| Thank You
Two special acknowledgments in this edition. Robert Farrar of
Orleans, VT donated about a dozen panorama photos of the Nelson and Hall log
yard, HQ Building, and logging activities. The collection included
pictures of vehicles (six steam? stacks) and views of Montgomery Center
from across the Trout River.
(Look for the triangular windows still on the Town Hall)
The St. Albans Museum also donated two pictures it was de-accessioning, one of the Hutchin's Bridge and the other of the Congregational Church. This is one of the best shots of the church many of us had ever seen. 
Sad Farewell
We are sad to report that Penny Bennett passed away recently
at the age of 86 at her home in Dover, NJ. Penny and her husband, Jack,
have been members of the MHS since 1985 and both actively participated in
the MHS activities whenever they were in Montgomery, staying in their house
on West Hill.
Penny is especially remembered for being "cashier" for many years at the "Concerts on the Common" and for being a saleslady par excellence when the Society held "AugustFest". Penny will also be remembered for her cheerfulness and optimism in spite of her many years battling health problems - she was always full of laughter and had lots of stories to tell of her travels around the world. We will miss her. Annual Art Show and Sale Date Set
|
3rd Edition Of Town History Book Underway
Jo Anne Bennett (now a grandmother!!!)
will be leading our effort to update the Town History book, written
by Sara Taylor, Bill Branthoover and Joe Sherman. The new material
will cover the last 20 years of developments in the town.
She writes "I would very much like to speak with anyone who can talk about: . the ’97 Flood . the new School Building . the new Public Safety Building . Town Demographics . Covered Bridges . Business & Commercial Developments . Arts in Montgomery . Economic changes – especially the demise of Dairy Farming developments at Jay Peak . Churches . any Other Topic that needs to be covered Please contact me at 326-4322, via email at daveandjoanne@mymts.net, or via USPS at P.O. Box 91, Montgomery, 05470" Would You Like A Tour Of Pratt Hall? Last newsletter we announced any MHS member desiring a tour of Pratt Hall for themselves or guests can do so by contacting any member of the Board or emailing us at pratthall@gmail.com. We're expanding that offer to anyone, member or not. Please bear in mind the heat and water are not on until late April.
In Case You Missed It
Bill and Margaretta Branthoover were the cover girl and boy of the Montgomery Town Report this year, an honor well deserved. The Report also contained a two page article provided by the Society on the Montgomery to E. Berkshire stage. The Report is still available from the the Town Clerk and this link will take you to an online copy. Memorial
Day Commemoration
This year's commemoration will be May 31st at 10:00 at the Montgomery Center upper cemetery. It will include short remarks by a guest speaker, roll call, and military honors by American Legion Post 42 from Enosburg. Please join us in honoring Montgomery's war dead and living veterans. |
|
Tentative
Dates Set for "Concerts By The Common"
Steve Hays has been busy putting
together another wonderful lineup. Right now this is what's in
store for us.
Historical
SpeakersJuly 17: Constitutional Brass Quintent July 31: Traditional Jazz August 14: Harp Trio All concerts start at 8:00p.m. More details will follow. Stay tuned to our web site and signs at Lutz's and in front of Pratt Hall. Consider purchasing a Season's Ticket, it's a great value.
Authors Nicholas & Deborah Clifford present "The Troubled
Roar of the Waters: Vermont in Flood and Recovery, 1927-1931" 7:00p.m.
at the Public Safety Building Conference Room. FREE. The Flood is remembered
as the greatest natural disaster ever to strike Vermont, yet it is far
more that an episode restricted to the history of a single state. An examination
of the flood and reconstruction helps shed light on important facets
of our national history, and helps us understand America's passage through
the difficult years of the 1920's. Sponsored by the Montgomery Library.
Treasurer's Report and Finances (As of: 3/17/10) Lalia Pratt Hays CD - $589.44 Capital Improvements CD - $1,906.59 Stained Glass Window CD - $5,737.01 Savings Balance - Domina Print Project - $226.50 Total Cash On Hand - $16,290.50 Line of Credit Balance Owed - $12,380.00 Affinity Members - 61 Note: We must cover $7,500.00 to match the VT Historic Preservation Grant for repairs/restoration to the front entry of Pratt Hall. |
You should have received a membership renewal by now. Your
financial support, or donation of services or materials in kind, are greatly
appreciated and have a direct and immediate impact on Montgomery.
Membership is the life blood of the MHS.
Additional donations targeted to specific purposes, like the stained glass windows or scholarships are welcome. All donations are tax deductible. Receipts are available from any Board member upon request. Thank You. Archives Report We're making steady progress on computer
cataloging, photographing and moving our holdings to the former Heaton
House. Thanks to the hard work of Parma Jewett, Marijke Dollois,
and Noela McGroarty we are about halfway there. Special thanks to
Curtt Perry for helping with technical and design advice. We are
now able to search by keyword and retrieve records that include a picture
and storage location information. Bill and Margaretta Branthoover's
past efforts to accession items into a card catalog were immensely helpful.
Pratt Hall Work To Begin Soon?
As of this date we still are unsure
of when the repairs and restoration of the clock tower base and front entryway
will begin. We've submitted our Description of Work to the VT Div.
for Historic Preservation and will be signing a formal Grant Agreement soon.
We will then solicit bids, select a prime contractor, and be off to
the races.
Bill McGroarty will be project lead for the Society assisted by Pat Farmer and Ken Secor. We hope to include some volunteer work as part of our match and will let you all know specific ways you can help. Come and get dirty with us! |
|
Montgomery History Quiz
Answer
b. 1897
St. Bartholomew was among the twelve apostles and also appears
as one of the witnesses of the Ascension. He is one of the apostles
of whom no word is reported nor any individual action recorded in
the New Testament. St. Bartholomew is credited with many miracles
having to do with the weight of objects. (Source: Wikipedia)
History Limerick... Montgomery history is fun to display, Whether for study, exhibit or play, We wish you would join us, Be part of the chorus, To "Make History Everyday!" |
We're
An Open Book
As a reminder, the Agendas and Minutes, which include the Treasurer's Reports, are available on our web site. What would you like to see the MHS do? Do you have any ideas for exhibits, or any feedback on our programs and activities? Please let us know. The MHS Board is... Scott
Perry, Bill McGroarty, Sue Wilson, Marijke
Dollois, Pat Farmer, Tim Chapin, Ken Secor, Elsie
Saborowski, Jo Anne Bennett, Parma Jewett, Bill Branthoover,
John Beaty
|