June, 2013
Take the Summer Garden Tour ….by Heather Tomasetti
Salmon Brook Historical Society presents a Summer Garden Tour of Granby on June 22 from 10–4, and June 23 from 11–3. The self-guided tour covers 11 locations throughout the town. Tickets are $10 per person and include the tour and a Saturday morning lecture on “Landscaping with Natives” held at Holcomb Farm from 9 – 10 am. Guest speaker is Sarah Bailey, who is a Certified Advanced Master Gardener and a Connecticut Accredited Nursery Professional. Along with being the Hartford County Coordinator for the UConn Extension Master Gardener program, Sarah also works in the private sector as a staff horticulturist and maintains several private gardens. The garden tour will include water features, a vineyard, mini gardens linked with pathways, container gardens, the Children’s Garden, a premier hosta nursery (over 1,600 varieties), an orchard, and so much more. As one garden may offer a glimpse of hummingbirds, another offers whimsical creatures and creations nestled among the foliage. Come and see all the flora made beautiful by our hard-working gardeners. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the following locations in Granby: Granby Pharmacy, Beman Hardware, Peppermill Country Deli & Bakery, and Lost Acres Orchard. Tickets can also be purchased the day of the tour at the participating gardens and at the Saturday morning lecture at Holcomb Farm. Information and maps are located on the website www.salmonbrookhistorical.org and the Society’s Facebook page. Questions? Call the Society at 860-653-9713 and leave a message. Participants provide their own transportation and may view the gardens in any order. Garden Tour Guide
Summer Exhibit :
(see page 7)
Downton Abbey Years (see page 6)
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Archivist Report
by Carol Laun, Archivist and Acting Curator
The Society was given an early 1800s account book that belonged to a Wilton weaver named Betts. We offered it to the Wilton Historical Society and they were delighted. Several representatives came to pick it up and tour our Society. They were very impressed with our complex and I was pleased at their reaction to the account book. In addition to recognizing happily most of the names in the book, they said their museum building was a Betts house and there was a large weaving loom in one room. I recently testified, along with others from Granby, in a court case involving public access to the ancient Lee Cemetery, located off Harvey Drive. We have just learned that the court has decided the case in favor of the Town, allowing access. The owner of the right-of-way had blocked access for years, but state law says towns have to maintain all of their old cemeteries. Besides the town, the American Legion, genealogists, researchers, historians and family descendants also need access. Thanks to the shopping prowess of Ginny Wutka, we have new curtains in the Rowe House and Enders Victorian Parlor. Her special sale discounts saved the Society hundreds of dollars. The rooms look wonderful! Come and see the Rowe tab curtains and the elegant lace in the Victorian room. In our advisory capacity concerning construction in the Center Historic District, the Board of Directors wrote a letter to Granby Planning and Zoning about the proposed Maltbie property development. The Society is the repository for Maltbie family photos, documents, letters, honors and also many items. The history of Judge William Mills Maltbie is important in Granby and in Connecticut. He was Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court for many years, served on important state and regional commissions, received honors from dozens of organizations, yet always kept his feet firmly planted in Granby. Thanks to Kate Bernard for gathering the young Civil War soldiers and girls to march in the Memorial Day Parade. Also to Marilyn and Tom Nystrom for carrying the banner on a very windy day. Thanks to Roger Young and Jim Rosano who volunteered to drive Civic Club members Polly Hall and Ethyl Lyman and display Civic Club’s 100 year Celebration signs on their antique cars. Many Society members are also in the Civic Club and we have the Civic Club records in our archives, so the Society is helping with the celebration. Two Devnew family descendants recently visited our archives. They brought some family items to donate, gave many scanned family documents and photos (all identified) and shared their genealogy. In return we shared genealogy they didn’t have and it was a delightful visit. One treasure we received was a set of golf clubs with the tags from the Salmon Brook Country Club still attached. The old golf course is now Salmon Brook Park. Dorie is the daughter of David Devnew and Lynne is the daughter of Stuart Devnew. Dorie also promised to mail us her father’s smoking jacket for the Downton Abbey exhibit. We are still looking for an assistant curator to learn from me and to eventually become the curator. If you are interested, stop in any Tuesday or Thursday morning.
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In Memoriam by Carol Laun
Marjorie (Jerry) Betts Jerry will be remembered as a dedicated long time member and invaluable volunteer. Her considerable talents were put to use so many times as she pitched in to help with nearly all society occasions as the need arose. She has left her positive mark on the society and will be missed greatly.
Frank William "Bill" Carmon III Bill was a life member and a very good friend to the Society. His assistant, the late Jimmy Hall, restored and painted our horse-drawn, glass sided hearse. Then Bill transported and sponsored the Hayes hearse in the Windsor 350th Parade. We worked together on the Cemetery Association Board when they initiated the "Burials in the Granby Center Cemetery" book. Bill also generously gave us the more than 70 chairs we use in the Preservation Barn. He loved Granby and Granby will miss him.
By Bill Ross SBHS President
I am looking forward to the next two years as president of the Salmon Brook Historical Society and working with the dedicated members of the Board of Directors. We all share a common bond, the love of history and specifically, Granby history! On a recent trip to Scotland and the Isle of Skye, I was reminded how my love of history is always close at hand. My ancestors came from the Isle of Skye in 1803 aboard the Good Ship Polly and landed in Belfast, Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada. Ross and Gillies (Gillis) were the family names and they were soon clearing the land as pioneers on PEI. While driving on a single track road on the Troternish Peninsula one Saturday morning near Kilmuir and Kilvaxter (where the Rosses and Gillies came from), I came across a farmer who stopped his tractor thinking that this tourist was stuck in a ditch. I struck up a conversation with Duncan McDonald and what do you know...his mother was a Gillies! What a great feeling it was to find a very, very distant relative still farming on land where the Rosses and Gillies had been crofters over 200 years ago. He has never been to the United States but knew all about the Polly and that time in Scottish history when the lords and the kings were clearing the land for sheep.
I would encourage all of you to find one unique aspect or link to your family/heritage this summer or encourage young relatives to learn about their heritage by exploring their family roots. Nothing brings history closer to home than family. 3
Building and Grounds Report
Rowe House: Looking Good!
By David Laun Chairman
The repair work on the exterior of the Rowe house has been completed. Jerry Hunihan of Hunihan Painting and Decorating Contractors, L.L.C. in Suffield was hired to prepare and paint the exterior of the house. All the siding, trim and exterior doors were treated with bleach to kill mildew, then power washed to remove the mildew and loose paint. The siding and trim received two coats of chestnut brown acrylic solid stain and the exterior doors primed and coated with satin enamel that matched the color of the Enders House. A third coat of stain was applied to the south end of the Rowe house because of the extreme weathering that had occurred on the surface. The result is that the Rowe House is looking its best and is in the best condition that it has been in many years with the new roof put on last fall. The work by the Thursday volunteers on the office in the Enders House was put on hold because of the preparation for and cleanup after the very successful spring flea market. Work will resume after the summer exhibits have been set up.
Newsletter Delivered By E-mail? Based on initial positive feedback, the board asks that members let us know whether they want to receive the newsletter by e-mail rather snail mail. The idea is to better serve members and save paper and postage costs. Members who are not online or who otherwise prefer to get the newsletter the old-fashioned way, through the post office, could still do so. At this point, we’re just gauging interest. If you would be interested in receiving the Society’s newsletter by e-mail, reply to Ken Kuhl (kennykuhl @ gmail.com), Bob Schrepf (rschrepf70 @ gmail.com) or call the Society’s office at 860 653 9713. Leave a message with your name if no one’s there.
STUDENT $3.00 INDIVIDUAL $15.00 FAMILY/GROUP $20.00 SUSTAINING $30.00 LIFE MEMBERSHIP $300.00
Have you renewed your membership in the Salmon Brook Historical Society for the calendar year 2013? We have attempted to keep the dues at a reasonable level. If you haven’t renewed for this year or owe back dues, please send us a check. Your continued support is welcome and appreciated. To those of you who have already paid your dues, many thanks.
Send your name and address with a check made payable to: Salmon Brook Historical Society and send to the society at 208 Salmon Brook Street, P.O. Box 840, Granby, CT. 06035
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It’s Win-Win for This By Todd Vibert Rite of Spring One of the many good qualities of the Salmon Brook Historical Society is the volunteer spirit of members who help with the Spring Flea Market. More than 50 members gave at least two hours of their time to make the Saturday, May 18, Flea Market a well-run show. Not only did we have super volunteers, but we also had terrific weather with bright sunshine, blue skies and high temperatures of 71 degrees. The combination of committed volunteers and good weather helped to make it one of the most successful spring flea markets in recent memory. The Flea Market produced over $4,000 dollars for the Salmon Brook Historical Society. The pricing crew, led by Ellen Cunha, and Nancy Olsen’s veteran crew that worked the Preservation Barn, made 55 percent of the profit for the Society. The Preservation Barn made approximately $2, 200 dollars. The cooking and concession crew made $980 by selling 217 hot dogs, 125 cans of soda, and 30 bags of chips. Dave Laun and his crew did a magnificent job setting up the flea market and communicating with the dealers and vendors as we gained over $1,500 through fees from those dealers and vendors. Not only did we make money for the flea market, but so too did the vendors and dealers. In this win-win situation we hope the dealers and vendors will come back for the next flea market. Below are some facts from the flea market as well as the names of our members who volunteered their time and made our flea market very successful. I will start contacting people after Labor Day to get ready for our fall flea market, which is Saturday, October 19th. Anyone who would like to volunteer for the Fall Flea Market or donate an item for the flea market can contact me, Todd Vibert, at 860-653-9506 after Labor Day.
Spring 2012
Spring 2013
Hot dogs
190
217
Soda cans
114
125
Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts
10 doz.
10 doz.
Dealers
~ 40
~ 50
Barn Sales
$2,296
$2,180
Dealer/Vendor
$1,115
$1,515
Food
$600
$980
Volunteers
~ 50
~ 50
Volunteers for the flea market: Dave Laun, Carol Laun, Jim Glenney, Jim Allen, Dick Potetz, John Horr, Vinnie Secord, Whitey Johnson, Bill Pease, Bob Schrepf, Ellen Cunha, Ruth Robinson, Cynthia Glenney, Sally Markey, Melba Griffin, Marilyn Nystrom, Shirley Davidson, Pat Collins, Corinne Dickerson, Roxanne Rosano, Redi Leake, Sandy Christensen, Lucy Holcombe, Ann St. John, Sue Heminway, Cal Heminway, Ruth Rosebrooks, Edith Wilhelm, Freda Hayes, Jane Ann Pease, Nancy Olsen, Ken Kuhl, Roger Hayes, Kate Bernard, Peg Giles, Heather Tomasetti, Lisa Vibert, Taylorann Vibert, Diane Hernsdorf, Roger Hernsdorf, Patty Sansone, Mike Flynn, Kevin Harter, Rich Zlotnick, Jim Rosano, George Bronsord, Roger Young, Bob Giles, Phil Main, Paul Dewey, Spencer Vibert, Bill Vibert, and Randy Wardrop. 5
The Downton Abbey Years — What Was Happening in Granby, 1912-1928? by Jean Potetz
This year’s summer exhibit is based on the PBS Masterpiece Classic series, Downton Abbey. This history-based drama opens in 1912 with the sinking of the Titanic and slowly progresses through World War I, into the early 1920s and beyond. The characters are those who live or work on a majestic English estate known as Downton Abbey. The series has accumulated a huge following in England, the United States and numerous other countries. Over one hundred years have passed since this story began.
Black silk and lace party dress with rhinestones and tassel trim, 1915. Image by Peter Dinella
So what was life like in Granby during the Downton Abbey years? What were the ladies wearing when they attended those early Civic Club meetings? What were they knitting? What were people reading? What “modern” conveniences were in people’s homes? What about World War I? What was happening in Granby, 1912-1928?
To get a feel for the era, a collection of period clothing and textiles will be on display in our historic houses. Many of these items have never been exhibited before, including a number of beaded gowns and a 1922 Granby Girl Scout uniform. Archivist and Acting Curator Carol Laun has assembled some fascinating Granby photographs, an interesting collection of World War I artifacts and a variety of other items from this time period. They will be exhibited in the Preservation Barn along with Stella Jewett Goddard’s quilt that won first place at the Granby Fair in 1925, and some interesting pieces that Dave Laun has pulled out of storage. Added all together, there should be something to interest everyone. Many of our volunteers helped to make this exhibit come together, especially Carol and Dave Laun, Patty Sansone, Sally Markey, Peter and Bert Dinella, Roxanne Rosano, Ellen Cunha, Pam Palmer, Emily Black, Melba Griffin, Paul Willis and the Thursday Morning Volunteers. This temporary exhibit debuts June 16 and will be open on Sundays from 2:00 – 4:00 through September.
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2013 Tour of Family and Commercial Gardens Garden 1 Garden 2 Garden 3 Garden 4 Garden 5 Garden 6 Garden 7 Garden 8 Garden 9 Garden 10 Garden 11
208 Salmon Brook Street - Abijah Rowe’s Garden, SBHS Grounds 95 Day Street – Dickson/Chase Gardens 15 Harmony Hill – Klein Gardens 103 Petersen Road – Bliss Gardens 12 Notch Road – Jones Gardens Salmon Brook Park – Our Children’s Garden 40 Wells Road – O’Brien’s Nurserymen 80 Lost Acres Road – Lost Acres Vineyard 130 Lost Acres Road – Lost Acres Orchard 10 Evergreen Drive – Gardner Family Gardens 11 Rickwood Lane – Ducharme Family Garden
2nd Grade Tour Mrs. Abijah Rowe’s Garden
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Salmon Brook Historical Society 208 Salmon Brook Street Granby, Connecticut 06035 860-653-9713 Or go to: www.salmonbrookhistorical.org
Granby, Connecticut 06035
PO Box 840 The Salmon Brook Historical Society
Calendar of Events
Sunday SBHS House Tours begin June 2 – September Summer Exhibit: Granby 1912-1928 June 16 – September SBHS Garden Tour June 22 & 23 Gas Engine Show Oct. 5 Fall Flea Market Oct. 19 Wassail Party Dec. 1
Hours: Tuesday 9:00 to Noon Genealogical & Archival Research
Thursday 9:00 to Noon Thursday Morning Group Follow us on:
June 2013 Issue •SBHS Newsletter Publishing Committee Leila Hawken and Bob Schrepf •Layout: Ken Kuhl •Photography: Peter Dinella, Ken Kuhl