the Society News

A Continuously Updated  Newsletter

2010 Annual Meeting

March 11th

at 7p.m.

in the

1939 School House/Museum

 

Overview of 2009

The School/Museum

We had foundation drains installed on the front and North sides to help with water problem that the Post Office downstairs was having during heavy rains. A 10 ft. deep gravel pit with pipes was dug by Great Oak Services. The re-seeding of the North lawn was done by Rich Glidden.  A curb was installed in front of the building to help catch roadway runoff. The exterior batten and panel trim wood around the building was replaced  by Matt Craig and the building exterior was painted by Doug Morrison. We have a roof leak above the entrance hall that will need to be fixed when the weather warms up. It seems t be in the cast iron drain pipe in the flat roof. The furnace needed a new starter and flu damper. The fire alarm’s computer board was fried by a power surge after a power outage, leading us to repair it and install a serge protector in the system. The toilet valve in the Post Office failed draining the well for a second time in the last few years. We have a newly donated refrigerator from the North Brookfield Savings Bank, by way of Kirk Burnham and Sara Hunt. Many thanks.


The Park

The lot at the Old Town Hall property was cleared by Matt Rousseau. The re-clearing of the Temperance House back lot was done by Great Oak Services. We will be planting grass in the lower part of both these lots. Plantings and walkways to be located in the upper. We are planning to remove all the cut wood and get the grass down this year.
We have a quote from Rich Glidden to rake and seed the lot.
Due to the size of this project we will be working in stages.


We are selling the wood that was cut on the land for $125. a cord call to buy some. No delivery available.  508 867 8608


WE NEED VOLUNTEERS. If you have the time and skills to offer we would appreciate a hand. We will be raking and deeding. Just leave your name and number at the Society 508 867 8608.

 
           


MEET MARY ROWLANDSON
 
On March 25, 2010 @ 7PM, Mary Rowlandson, portrayed by Katie Green of Princeton, Ma., will describe her 11 week captivity by the local Indians during King Philip's War in the winter of 1675. She was moved to several different camp sites throughout the area including about a 2 week stay in the Town of New Braintreee at an Indian camp in the Winnimesset area where her daughter, Sarah, died from the wounds sustained during their capture in Lancaster, Ma. She was buried somewhere within that area. It's a grueling tale of hardship & suffering.
 
The program will be held at the New Braintree Town Hall and is free to the public. The presentation is appropriate for adults & mature students. It is presented by the Friends of the New Braintree Library & is made available by a grant from the Hardwick-New Braintree Cultural Council. More information about Katie Green is available at www.katiegreenstories .com.
 
 
Whatever help you can give us as far as spreading the word - forward to any interested parties etc. Thanks so much & hope to see you there..
 
Sara Hunt



Lower lot below Temperance House foundation


 Old Town Hall and Center School  lot



Temperance House Hotel Foundation


The addition of the Old Town Hall property to the  Temperance House Park Project  allows the Historic Society to expand the park to encompass the historic heart of  Old New Braintree Center. This piece of land has had a long  and varied history of town commerce and culture.

Combining these two adjacent properties into an historic park fulfills the Historical Society’s Statement of Purpose: "preserving town heritage for future generations, conserving historic materials pertaining to the town, and identifying and marking memorable sites within the borders of the town. "
Also, making it an asset to New Braintree again

     The Old Town Hall Property once was the location of:
· Elias Hall’s store of 1795
· Joseph Bowman and Henry Penniman’s store after Elias Hall
· The Center School and hall of 1816-1860
· The first cheese factory of 1865-1880
· The second cheese factory of 1881-1885
· The Town Hall of 1893 to 1977.
The dance hall above the school, and later the first cheese factory, served as a gathering place and social center for the town.  Old Town Hall served this purpose after the old school/cheese factory-hall was gone. All use of this land ended in 1977 with the burning of the Old Town Hall. See the Center Tour tab at left for more information.

Tom Fiorelli
Society President

 

Current Display of Plaster Hat Molds(dated 1862)
Found at the Old Barr House, 153 Barr Rd.
On Loan from Jane Cronin










 Display of George Briggs' Tractors
purchased by the Society



Display case in the Museum Room



Society Cafe' at the Country Fair 2008






Friends and family celebrate a memorial dedication ceremony for Donald Adams, George Briggs, and Paul Walker

On Saturday, July 12 at 3 p.m. three benches in front of the Post Office, each with a bronze plaque, was dedicated to the memory of Don Adams, George Briggs, and Paul Walker—men who served
New Braintree and left it a better place.



State Sen.Stephen M. Brewer presented certificates of appreation to
members of the Walker, Adams and Briggs families.



Friends and family enjoy the dedication of the benches and plaques.

Event sponsored by the New Braintree Historical Society and the
Town Parks and Recreation Department.