December 2011 Newletter

December, 2011

2011 Holiday House Tour

This season, after a

hiatus of several years, the Salmon Brook Historical Society will again host the Holiday House Tour, December 3rd from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. In celebration of Granby’s 225th anniversary, the tour will feature five unique antique homes on Salmon Brook Street along with the Truman Gillette home on North Granby Road.

The homes range in age, one being built in the eventful year of 1776 to an early Victorian, renovated in the 1840s. Featured homes on the tour are in varying stages of restoration, but all are well loved by the families that own them.

With any sort of cooperation from the weatherman, tour participants should be able to park in one location and take a leisurely stroll down “The Street” and visit all five homes. Refreshments will be served at several locations, so plan to enjoy a wonderful day kicking off the 2011 holiday season. Tickets will be available at Granby Pharmacy and Beman Hardware as well as the Historical Society and all featured homes on the day of the tour for $20 per person.

Make It An SBHS Weekend!

Kick off the festive season with two grand traditions: The Salmon Brook Historical Society’s Holiday House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 3 (see adjoining story for details) and the annual Wassail Party on Sunday, Dec. 4.

The Wassail Party is in its fifth decade. Join the fun!

•This year the party is on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Society’s Rowe and Enders houses, which will be all decked out in holiday decorations.

•The society’s secret-recipe Wassail will be served along with non-alcoholic punch and delicious snacks provided by society volunteers.

•The party is for society members and their guests. Bring prospective members!

Contributions to cover expenses will be gratefully received.

See you there!

See page 2 , read about a time when Christmas was illegal

1

Christmastide in Early New England When Christmas Was Against the Law!

By Ken Kuhl

As we celebrate Christmas this year, many of us don't

realize the history of this holiday in the New England states. Although Granby was established in 1786, it had been the Salmon Brook settlement from the early 18th century as the northern section of Simsbury. Simsbury was settled in the mid 17th century, just a matter of a few decades after the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620.

The Puritans in New England disapproved of the celebration of Christmas because they considered it a heathen holiday. In Europe, Christmas had become a raucous and wild celebration not unlike the Marti Gras in New Orleans. Between the years of 1659 to 1681, a Massachusetts law even punished offenders with a hefty five shilling fine for making merry! After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America's new constitution.

It wasn't until the 19th century that Americans began to embrace Christmas. Americans re-invented Christmas, changing it from a rollicking and rowdy carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. In 1819, best-selling author Washington Irving wrote The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon , a series of stories about the celebration of Christmas in an English manor house.

The sketches feature a squire who invited the peasants into his home for the holiday. In Irving's mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. While not based on any holiday celebration he had attended, many feel that Irving's account actually "invented" tradition by implying that it was describing the true customs of the season.

In 1822, a dentist named Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem An Account of a Visit from Saint Nicolas, which became better known as The Night before Christmas. In the year of 1850, Christmas trees started to be sold commercially in the United States. This started because images of the royal family of England with their tree were printed in English magazines in 1848. A Harper's Magazine illustrator by the name of Thomas Nast created images of Santa for the Christmas editions in 1863, which continued into the 1890s.

Christmas became a legal holiday in the South earlier than in the North; Alabama in 1836, Louisiana and Arkansas in 1838. It wasn't until 1870 that Christmas Day became a federal holiday in Washington D.C. and by 1885 Congress had extended it to federal employees throughout the country.

From the late 19th century onward, the American people began to celebrate Christmas in earnest, transforming the holiday from a one-day happening to a month long celebration.

As you celebrate this Christmas Season, may your home be filled with peace and warmth to all who enter.

2

Recent Donations to the Archives and the Collections

by Carol Laun, Archivist and Acting Curator

The SBHS Library

has received wonderful Granby books, many from the authors. Bill Hart gave “In My Lifetime” (it can be purchased at SBHS, Granby Pharmacy or Drummer). Karl Van Valkenburgh wrote a history of Granby’s St. Mark’s Masonic Lodge No. 91, titled “Fraternity in a Small Town” (available on line at blurb.com).

Melba Griffin donated a copy of “Distinctive Trees of Granby” published by the Civic Club for the 225th celebration.

“Acorn to Oak – Stories of the Town of Granby,” another 225th book, was given by the Senior Center.

Ned Kendall of Ohio gave an 1876 copy of a book about Newgate Prison, formerly owned by Addie Holcomb Kendall. He also allowed me to copy carpenter Horace Kendall’s Account Book from 1824 to 1833. Jim Holcombe of Atlanta donated a cased reprint of the Holcombe Genealogy on acid free paper and also had our somewhat tattered Holcombe Genealogy rebound and put in a slipcase.

The history of Northwest Community Bank, “Two Roads to Community,” was donated by the bank. A book of the Chinese education experiment in New England (which included two Chinese students in Granby) was donated by the author, Edward Rhoads. Jerry Hutt sent a book by artist Samuel Colman. Lucy Holcombe gave a 1916 Hartford City Directory. “Old Houses of Norwich, Connecticut 1660-1800” came from the Flea Market. Granby Public Library donated 16 booklets about shade-grown tobacco.

We also have six new needlework and textile books for research, given by Jean Potetz, Abby Perlsweis and by purchase. Chris and Cheryl Klemmer added to our cemetery book collection with a photo and CD book about the West Granby Cemetery. Leland Cobb Jr. of Maine sent copies of Masonic Annual Reports. Fred Griffin gave some WWI and WWII books.

The Archives received several delightful Hungary Road school photos from Doris Ahrens. Bristol Library sent some pictures of the 1955 flood in North Granby. Karl Van Valkenburgh donated many Masonic items.

Many interesting Granby documents also came from the Ayer family and from Bill Hart.

Collections Toni Shoham donated a beautiful c.1895 Regina music box. The Thursday volunteers were enthralled listening to it. Connie Hare of Vermont gave a large woven splint basket given to her by her godmother, Mary Edwards. A wooden flail made by Horace Kendall was donated by Ned Kendall. The Avery family gave a foot warmer, a plank seat chair branded H. Loomis on the bottom and a whiskey bottle issued with a prescription from Dr. Pendleton to George Avery during Prohibition – only for medicinal purposes, of course.

Many donations were received from the children of the late Dick and Grace Ayer – maps, photos, kerosene lamps, half gallon Lightning canning jar, kitchenware, tools, toys, child’s rocking chair, books, farm items, crocks, a dress sword from a GAR encampment after the Civil War and much more.

The late Al Martyn donated a WWI memorial poster dated 1919, five Civil War medals (in a shadowbox) issued during reunions after the war, a carbide bicycle lamp and two old doorbells c.1900. Fred Griffin gave a collection of bayonets (1812 to WWII), wagon wrench, large bellows, two Connecticut Tercentenary license plates, Civil War medal, lunch box, kitchen items, a boy doll, parasol, store items and more.

Also, a toy washboard from Ruth Robinson; a Granby (Kendall) milk bottle from David Gates; box of school chalk, fork and curling iron (or pleater) from Ruth and Dick Meyer; three large wood clamps from Dave Sessions; a butter press from Dan Cunningham; ice cream scoop and rolling pin from Kathy Morgan; old license plate from Gerry Ledger and a collection of tools from Roger Hayes.

As a Society, we are very fortunate to have so many generous donors. These gifts enable us to preserve the way Granby people lived, worked, dressed and played in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. When we open again for tours in June, we plan to have a special exhibit in the Preservation Barn featuring recent donations.

3

Salmon Brook Historical Society’s entry was honored with a first place award by Granby’s 225th celebration for best historical float.

Image by Peter Dinella

In Memoriam Joyce Andrus Barbara Bronsord Frank Norkus Lee Oliver Bill Percival

Give the Holiday Gift of a Membership!

Send your name and address, with a check made payable to: Salmon Brook Historical Society Granby, Connecticut 06035

STUDENT $3.00 INDIVIDUAL $15.00 FAMILY/GROUP $20.00 SUSTAINING $30.00 LIFE MEMBERSHIP $300.00 4

Fall Flea Market Big Numbers At The Flea Market

By Todd Vibert

Our annual Fall Flea Market held on Oct.15 brought record and near record numbers.

We had over 50 dealers at our show (bringing in $1,400 of revenue). We sold 13 dozen donuts at the concession stand as well as 195 hot dogs, 25 cups of chili and three big pots of coffee were made.

The more important number is the more than 40 volunteers we had to help with the flea market. All of the volunteers did a great job and I thank you for your help.

It’s the volunteers who make this show work and make it a successful day.

The flea market was running smoothly as the general public came not only to eat, but to browse and buy goods. The morning started as a cool, clear and dry October day, but around one o’clock a short rain shower came down for ten minutes. As the dealers were drying off their goods, there was another ten-minute shower!

Mother Nature essentially closed the show with her surprise; with dealers and the public leaving in droves.

The silver lining in those rain clouds? Many people ran into the Preservation Barn and started to buy our “hot goods,” as we made over $1,600 from the Barn.

Despite a difficult economy this year, our May and October flea market shows made the Salmon Brook Historical Society $7,000 -- nearly a thousand dollars more than the previous year.

5

Textile Report Fall of 2011 and Beyond!

by Jean Potetz

O

ver the last few months, the Textiles

volunteers have finished storing the bed-sized quilt collection in the Textile Storage Room and begun working with the clothing side of the collection. We’ve also continued working toward our goal to make our textiles more visible to visitors.

Earlier this year, we contracted with master carpenter Gene Suponski of Granby to build a large display case allowing us to exhibit a quilt on the main floor of the Preservation Barn. Our Eight-Pointed Star quilt, circa 1840-1865, was given the honor of being the first quilt displayed in it. This beautiful golden-oak case was made possible by a generous grant from The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Presently we are working with women’s clothing and as we prepare these vintage gowns for storage, we’re planning next year’s clothing exhibit. This year’s display of Ella Merriam Hayes’ 1877 wedding gown created considerable interest. As a result, we are planning a more extensive exhibit for 2012.

Our third annual Quilt Airing will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012. It will encompass quilts from 1876 through the 1930s. Women’s gowns from that time period will also be on display. Watch this newsletter and the Granby Drummer next year for registration information, but mark your calendar now.

We have received some exciting donations over the past months. From the Ayer family we received items of clothing and additions to our doll clothing collection. Connie Hare donated a double-woven blue and white wool coverlet from the early 1800s. Jerry Hutt gave an American flag wall quilt of cotton, linen and wool from the Aaron Draper Shattuck family. From Steve Hastings we received clothing items worn by Granby’s Wilcox and Holcomb families including the wedding gown worn by his mother, Lois Wilcox, in 1936.

Shirley Murtha donated a pre-printed cotton infant’s kimono pattern from the early 1940s, and Sally Markey gave reproduction clothing worn by her parents while working as docents at Old Sturbridge Village.

As always, additional help is needed with the storage process. At present, we are very much in need of one or two volunteers to sew identifying labels on clothing items so they can be boxed and stored. If you can handle a needle, your help on Thursday mornings would be very appreciated — just a few stitches per label and it’s done. If you’re interested, call Jean Potetz at 653-7647.

6

Fall Engine Show

SBHS Tours and Engine Show a Big Draw for Granby’s 225th As part of the Town of Granby 225th celebration, the Salmon Brook Historical Society opened the barn museum and Rowe and Enders houses for tours on October 1. Since that Saturday is usually scheduled for our Antique Gas Engine and Tractor show, it was decided that that the engine show be held on our grounds as planned.

The day started out overcast and rainy, which caused some of our regular exhibitors such as the fair organ, the large hit and miss 15 hp Abenaque, and the corn grinding demonstrations not to show up. But 13 hardy exhibitors with their tractors, cord wood saw, and small hit and miss engines did show up to make the show a success once the rain stopped. We attracted at lot of new spectators from the activities at the park and our food booth did a steady business with our coffee and Mrs. Murphy’s donuts in the morning and our hot dogs at lunch time. Rep. John Larson even found his way to our show.

Many thanks to all the volunteers that helped make the show a success and a special thanks to Todd Vibert for managing the parking lot to keep it open for the SBHS events.

Dave Laun

7

The Salmon Brook Historical Society PO Box 840 Granby, Connecticut 06035

Salmon Brook Historical Society 208 Salmon Brook Street Granby, Connecticut 06035 860-653-9713 Or go to: www.salmonbrookhistorical.org

Calendar of Events

 Holiday House Tour, Saturday, Dec. 3 – 10-3 Wassail Party: Sunday, Dec. 4 - 3-5 p.m.

Hours:Tuesday 9:00 to Noon Genealogical & Archival Research Thursday 9:00 to Noon Thursday Morning Group

Follow us on

December 2011 Issue •SBHS Newsletter Publishing Committee: Leila Hawken, Bob Schrepf •Layout: Ken Kuhl •Photography: Peter Dinella,