By John Barrett In the early days of the automobile, towns did not plow their roads. If anything after heavy snow, a town would “roll” the streets, compacting the snow to form a “snow road” that horse drawn sleighs could travel on. A review of Townsend town report from 1911, indicates an appropriation for “snow…
Category: Treasures from the Vault
In the Beginning – the Townsend Historical Society
By Sharon Lacasse Have you ever wondered when and why the Townsend Historical Society formed? Since becoming a member, I have been curious about where the vision originated. To answer this question, I needed to turn back to the nineteenth century. Townsend was a different place. The Fessenden Cooperage was working at full capacity and…
Winslow Homer and his family connection to Townsend
Numerous articles have been written about Winslow Homer and his connection to Townsend. Materials located in the THS Vault attest to the research and writings of local historian Lee McTighe. Lee has written extensively on the Homers and has given talks including one given in New Ipswich, NH at the Historical Society’s annual meeting in…
Townsend Time Capsules – An Old One and a New One Coming!
Did you know that Townsend has a Time Capsule buried in front of Town Hall? Yup, we do. It was buried on July 24,1982 in celebration of the towns 250th anniversary and it has a planned opening of July 2032. How old will you be then? The capsule supposedly contains newspapers, town reports, photographs and…
Mrs Clara Craig and Asa and Sarah Tyler…the rest of the story
I always find it interesting that when researching a topic it doesn’t take long for connections to emerge. While researching the old school bell from the No12 Schoolhouse, for the September 2024 ‘Treasures From the Vault” article, several connections emerged. Mrs Clara (Stearns) Craig was the teacher who rang the bell at the No12 schoolhouse,…
The Townsend Memorial Band and our Summer Band Concerts On The Common
Band Concerts It wouldn’t seem like summer in Townsend if there wasn’t a Thursday evening Band Concert on the Common. Concerts have traditionally begun in June and run through mid-August, every Thursday evening (weather permitting) from 7:30-9:30. Local organizations host a lawn party in conjunction with these concerts, and while the band plays there is…
Memorial Day Tribute to Townsend’s WW1 Soldier Boys
On Friday, July Twenty-five, 1919, Townsend honored her ‘Soldier Boys’ returning home from the World War 1917-1918. An official Souvenir Program was created “Given in Honor of the Return of the Boys who Served in the World War 1917-1918. “ The Program for the day lists a variety of activities to celebrate the returning soldiers.…
A Revolutionary War era Musket and the 250th March
This musket, donated to the Historical Society by Asa K. Tyler back in 1934, was possibly taken from a British soldier and over time it was modified and its barrel shortened to perhaps make it more suitable for squirrel hunting. The intake information notes “Old Flint Lock Gun. A.K.Tyler bought this gun when he was…
The Historic Clothing Collection
Are you aware that the Townsend Historical Society holds one of the largest collections of colonial era clothing in New England? For the past 10 years a crew of workers, led by Sandi Starrett, and accompanied by Carol Conaway, and Jan Johnson and others, have been working to assess and catalog and photograph each item…
February – Valentine’s Day – Love and Caring -Thoughts by Eileen Barnacoat
Happy Valentine’s Day from the THS. ❤️❤️ When we think of Valentine’s Day we often think of hearts and flowers, and perhaps a box of chocolates for the ones we love, but as I’ve been inventorying the Vault in the Reed House I’ve been reminded of other acts of love, and acts of caring shown…