The Society News
A Continuously Updated Newsletter
Next Regular Meeting
March 1 at 7 p.m.
At the 1939 School House/Museum
Town Old Hall Property
This Spring members of the Society will be working on new plantings at the site of the Old Center School (1816-1860). Volunteers will be raking, clearing, and doing ground prep. work.
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.
· 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
Society President
Current Display of Plaster Hat Molds(dated 1862)
Found at the Old Barr House, 153 Barr Rd.
On Loan from Jane Cronin
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
Friends and family celebrate a memorial dedication ceremony for Donald Adams, George Briggs, and Paul Walker
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.
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.