SBHS Newsletter June 2016

208 Salmon Brook Street Granby, Connecticut, 06035

________________________________________________________________________

Don’t Miss This Summer Exhibits…

There Is Something For Everyone!

Granby’s Children — Photographs, Toys & Textiles

June, 2016

By Jean Potetz

This summer’s special exhibit focuses on the children of Granby. It features early photographs of town children and a collection of toys spanning a wide number of years. Walking through the Preservation Barn you just might find an old toy tractor that’ll catch your eye, or perhaps the same version of Monopoly you spent rainy summer afternoons playing as a kid. A Victorian doll carriage and a pair of roller skates are displayed along with games, paper dolls, doll furniture and more.

The Redwork Quilt on display is an interesting collection of embroidered pictures. The exhibit is fun and colorful, and not to be missed.

In the houses you’ll find young Joseph H. Beman’s wooden wagon (circa 1900) and a variety of children’s textile items — the delicate handmade christening gown and girls’ camp uniform both worn by Mary W. Edwards, a dress worn by little Austria Holcomb in 1843, Mildred Colton’s incredible crepe-paper dress, early cross-stitch samplers made by young girls from Granby, and a colorful cross-stitched child’s prayer stitched by Polly Hall.

A recently accessioned Victorian-era wicker cradle and stand are on display in the Victorian Parlor, as is an exquisite gown of cream satin and lace, circa 1880s. You can read more about these exhibits in the Archivist Report and Textile News elsewhere in this newsletter.

Granby Quilts This summer we have nine quilts on display in the houses. Spanning the years of 1825 to 1940, most of them are from Granby families. Two have not been exhibited previously: the Centennial Flag Quilt from the Shattuck family, circa 1876, and the Avery family’s Diamond in a Square Quilt, circa 1900-1915. Both of these quilts are wonderful additions to our historic quilt collection.

So, mark your calendars now – we’re open Sundays from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. through September. You may need two visits to see it all!

Spring Flea Market (see page 5)

Textiles Report (see page 7)

1

Archivist’s Report

by Carol Laun, Archivist and Acting Curator

A Special Exhibit About Children The special exhibit in the Preservation Barn this year features toys and some photos of Granby children. A visit will be a walk down memory lane for all generations.

We have GI Joe, a beautiful black hooded doll carriage, books, paper dolls, blocks, puzzles, doll clothes and doll dishes, trucks, jeeps, games from Monopoly to Parcheesi and a spelling game that will stump everybody. We even have a small pool table.

Bring your children and grandchildren – someone will be sure to recognize a familiar toy. We have nothing electronic or that requires a battery!

Other items in the Archivist’s report: A visitor from Vermont generously allowed us to have Peter Dinella copy all the photos in his Loomis family album. One of his Loomis ancestors lived for a time with the Truman Gillet family on North Granby Road (now a B&B) and the album also had pictures of Truman and his wife. Other researchers from Oregon were very happy with the Godard family information in our files and will share their genealogy via email.

We received a very grateful note from the Avon Historical Society, thanking us for sending a donation to help restore the Derrin House after their unfortunate fire.

The “Heavy Metal “ sales for the Flea Market have ended. The next step is to transport the remaining metal to the scrap dealer in Hartford.

A resident of Salmon Brook Street found some strange looking dried plants in the walls when doing some renovations. Research revealed that the plants were broom corn and used in the past to make brooms. The 1865 Granby map indicates that there was a broom factory a little north of the historical society. So we have a new exhibit.

The Cossitt Library is celebrating 125 years with a variety of programs and my articles in the Drummer. They are planning a ragtime jazz concert in late June, lectures in the fall from Mark Williams and me and more musical programs. Watch for their schedule of events and join the celebration.

After the summer tours, we are planning to have the flaking paint on the ceilings of the Rowe House second floor, scraped, repaired if necessary and repainted. Now that we no longer have a leaking roof, the ceilings can safely be repaired.

2

THE SECOND GRADERS CAME !

Granby 2nd graders made their annual visit to SBHS in May.

(images by Peter Dinella) The E-Newsletter is Here!

The Historical Society’s board would like the members to consider receiving the quarterly SBHS News by e-mail instead of by snail mail. It is both environmentally responsible and it is in FULL COLOR! 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.

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.

Have you renewed your membership in the Salmon Brook STUDENT $3.00 INDIVIDUAL $15.00 Historical Society for the calendar year 2016?

We have attempted to keep the dues at a reasonable level. If you FAMILY/GROUP $20.00 SUSTAINING $30.00 haven’t renewed for this year or owe back dues, please send us a LIFE MEMBERSHIP $300.00 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

3

Salmon Brook Historical Society Annual Meeting

by Carol Laun Roger Young received the Linnell Award at the Salmon Brook Historical Society Annual Dinner Meeting held April 19 at First Congregational Church. His many years of volunteer work include driving his antique car in the Memorial Day parade and his present role as schoolmaster for the 2nd grade school tours. Letters from the children indicate that many found attending the Cooley School the best part of the tour.

During the business meeting, the present officers were re-elected: Rich Zlotnick, president; Todd Vibert, vice-president; Roger Hayes, treasurer; Bob Schrepf, secretary and Carol Laun, archivist and acting curator. Two new Board Members were also elected, Howard Berg and Whitey Johnson.

After dinner, Lee David Hamberg, of Southwick, Mass. presented an illustrated program in the Sanctuary. He explained the shifting border area between Connecticut and Massachusetts, often called the Notch or the Southwick Jog. Much of his talk focused on the Moore family of Southwick, who also lived in Westfield, Simsbury and Granby, without ever moving. The Moore House on Rt. 10-202 is now the Southwick Historical Society museum.

Hamberg’s interesting and informative talk touched on the Revolutionary War service of Joseph Moore. His research found documents proving that although Moore died in NY after the disastrous “panic” at Kipps Bay, he did not die on a prison ship as the genealogy reports.

Moore has a memorial gravestone in Granby’s Baptist Cemetery on Rt. 189.

Images by Karen McNey

Farmington Canal Maps The Simsbury Free Library, working with canal expert Carl E. Walter of Granby, has published a series of nine maps, one for every town where the canal was once located. Each map denotes where the canal and various engineering features were once located and where they can still be seen today.

The reverse side of the map offers details into the need for the canal, the construction and financing of the canal, the challenges running the canal, and the reasons for its demise, along with a canal topic unique to each town. Each map also features ten town specific photos of the canal and its features, many of them taken in the 1930s.

The folded maps cost $5 each or a set of all nine for $40. A flat copy of the map is available for $10. The flat maps could be framed or taken to Staples to have them laminated. Maps will be available for sale at the Salmon Brook Historical Society after July 15.

Buyers may purchase maps Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon or during regular 4 tour hours on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m.

Spring Flea Market Better Than Ever!

By Todd Vibert

The Salmon Brook Historical Society’s annual Spring Flea Market, which was held on Saturday, May 14,, was financially the most successful flea market ever.

According to Roger Hayes, our Treasurer, the Society made over $6,000. There were many factors why we did so well. First, the weather was gorgeous with blue skies, a light wind, and a high temperature of 77 degrees. Second, Mary Zlotnick did an outstanding job publicizing the flea market with advertisements in newspapers and with social media as well as putting flyers in businesses in the Farmington Valley area. Third, many members of the Society volunteered their time to help in many ways. Their names are noted at the end of this report.

Finally, thanks to all those members who donated items to the Society to be sold in the Preservation Barn. The Preservation Barn including the jewelry and metal sales brought in $3,300 alone.

The general public started to come in around 8 am and they steadily grew in number each hour up to one o’clock. These visitors also brought their money and appetites. The concession stand brought in $1,100 for the Society as they sold out of assorted chips, Mrs. Murphy’s donuts and the hot dogs as well.

We had sold 208 hot dogs by 2 o’clock with 39 to go. Whitey Johnson invoked the Bill Pease Rule and the rest of the hot dogs were gone in the next two hours. Also by 2 o’clock the show was slowing down. Most of the dealers were gone by 4 o’clock and the last two vendors were leaving at 4:45. Below is an abbreviated list of how the flea market of 2016 compared to 2015. I would also like to thank the Lost Acres Fire Department, our good neighbors, for allowing us to use field behind the firehouse for parking..

Volunteers Below is the list of spectacular volunteers who made this flea market the most profitable ever. I cannot thank you enough for your help. If you had fun doing this, we can do this again on Oct. 15, the date of our Fall Flea Market.

Heather Tomasetti, Bill Ross, John Morgan, Kathy Morgan, Phil Main, Andrew Main, Karen McNey, Lynn Lochhead, Kevin Harter, Owen Harter, Howard Berg, Carol Laun, Dave Laun, Ken Kuhl, Ellen Cuhna, Dick Potetz, Mary Zlotnick, Rich Zlotnick, Roger Hayes, Whitey Johnson, Marilyn Nystrom, Jim Glenney, Matthew Heller, Matthew Gerace, Jessica Gerace, Vinnie Secord, John Horr, George Bronsord, Peg Giles, Bob Giles, Roger Young, Ruth Robinson, Edith Wilhelm, Regina Landesberg, Ann St. John, Pat Vibert, Lisa Vibert, Spencer Vibert, Taylorann Vibert, Joan Ducharme, Diane Hernsdorf, Roger Hernsdorf, Shirley Davidson, Roxanne Rosano, Jim Rosano, and Paul Dewey.

More Flea Market Recap (page 6)

5

Financial Breakdown of Event ITEM Preservation Barn sales Vendor sales Food sales Hot Dogs sold Mrs. Murphy’s donuts Cans of Soda sold Bottles of Water sold Assorted Chips

SPRING 2015 $2,028 $1,456 $969 203 10 dozen 89 25 30 bags sold

SPRING 2016 $3,300 $1,700 $1,100 247 13 dozen 108 75 30 bags sold

6

Textiles News

by Jean Potetz For the past few months we’ve been busy planning and setting up our portion of the summer exhibit. This year’s theme of Granby’s Children was an interesting one and gave us a chance to explore collection boxes we hadn’t yet opened. The addition of new items such as the beautiful wicker cradle donated by the Colton Family and the Christening gown worn not only by Mary Edwards and her brother, but also by their grandfather Jonathon Bunce Edwards in 1832 provided considerable inspiration. Eventually we settled on a sub-theme of textiles made by or for children. This allowed us to include a variety of children’s textiles including clothing, shoes, and baby bonnets.

Polly Hall’s beautiful cross-stitch embroidery of the children’s prayer, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, fit this venue perfectly and allowed us to exhibit another example of her fine needlework.

The work-in-progress embroidered infant’s gown provides insight into one new mother’s busy life with little time left for embroidery, and is an example of needlework patterns available in the 1940s.

Dressing the 1940s Sweetie Pie doll in the Edwards’ gown and pulling out the finely knit afghan made almost 150 years ago was gratifying, as was creating a vignette involving these items and a woman’s gown of cream satin. You’ll see the end result when you visit the Victorian Parlor over the summer. We hope our efforts bring many visitors through our doorway.

Most of the ten quilts on display were chosen for their connection to Granby. New to our collection, the Shattuck Family 38-Star Centennial Flag Quilt of cotton and wool was likely made in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1876. The Avery Family Diamond in a Square Quilt contains an interesting mix of prints and fabrics and is a window into the fabrics of the early 1900s.

The Redwork Quilt (circa 1890-1915) on display in the Preservation Barn is a remarkable collection of embroidered pictures we felt would provide some fun to those attending the toy exhibit – its maker must have enjoyed seeing these images of children, animals and even a plate of potatoes emerge from her stitches.

Many thanks to Patty Sansone, Pam Palmer, Ginny Wutka, Dave Laun and Alberta and Peter Dinella for their help with this exhibit. It is very much appreciated.

Will You Be A Part of Our Summer Season At SBHS? An exciting summer tour schedule is planned at the Society. In addition to our normal wonderful displays preserving Granby’s history, we will offer special exhibits. Granby’s Children — Photographs, Toys & Textiles and Granby Quilts are two special, newly-assembled exhibits sure to attract lots of visitors.

We need help in presenting our collections and exhibits to the general public. Summer tours run on Sundays from 2-4 p.m., from June through September.

If you have never helped with tours before, we provide training and you will always be with an experienced guide who will show you how it’s done. We need volunteer house guides, barn guides, greeters, people to help us lock and unlock and also folks to help with advertising.

Thanks to those of you--experienced and new--who have offered to help. Please identify one or two Sunday afternoons this summer when you could volunteer. This activity is a good chance to meet local people as well as summer tourists.

Please call or email Ginny Wutka 860-539 2556 or ginny@lostacres.com to join our team of happy Sunday afternoon volunteers.

7

Salmon Brook Historical Society 208 Salmon Brook Street Granby, Connecticut 06035 860-653-9713 Or go to: www.salmonbrookhistorical.org Hours: Tuesday 9:00 to Noon Genealogical & Archival Research

Thursday 9:00 to Noon Thursday Morning Group Follow us on:

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

Calendar of Events Summer Tours, Sundays 2-4 p.m. (except July 3), June 5 – Sept. 25  Fall Flea Market, Oct. 15

Who We Are Officers: Rich Zlotnick, President Todd Vibert, Vice President Roger Hayes, Treasurer Bob Schrepf, Secretary Carol Laun, Archivist and Acting Curator

Board Members: Howard Berg Wayne Cahoon, Ellen Cunha, Whitey Johnson, Ken Kuhl, Dave Laun, Lynn Lochhead, Phil Main, Karen McNey, John Morgan, Bill Ross,

June 2016 Issue •SBHS Newsletter Publishing Committee Leila Hawken and Bob Schrepf •Layout: Ken Kuhl •Photography: Peter Dinella, Karen McNey