A Page from North Quabbin History: Historical events aplenty in 2023

Published: 05-17-2023 4:16 PM

By Carla Charter

The upcoming season for North Quabbin historical societies offers a wide variety of programming choices. Whether you are into arts and crafts, hiking, music, vintage photos or even historic crimes, the societies offer it all.

Athol Historical Society will hold an evening of music with Julie Capone Bouchard & Friends at 7 p.m. on June 9. On June 17, from 1–4 p.m., the society will be hosting a quilt show.

The art of John F. Gilman, an itinerant artist from the late 1800s who featured local homes in his work, will be highlighted on Sept. 23, noon–4 p.m. On Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. the society will host a program entitled “Forty Whacks – The Lizzie Borden Case.” The society is open by appointment only and can be contacted through www.atholhistoricalsociety.weebly.com.

Orange Historical Society

For the first time, the Orange Historical Society will be participating in the 3rd Thursday Street Fair.

“We are enthusiastically participating this year” according to Ann Reed of the society’s board of directors.

On Aug. 4 there will be an evening of storytelling with intriguing true local stories beginning at 7 p.m. Reed can be reached at 978-544-3864 as pre-registration is required. The society will be open on Sundays from 2-4 p.m. More information can be found at orangehistoricalsocietyma.org.

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Warwick Historical Society

The Warwick Historical Society has received several acquisitions of photos, including photographs of the farmhouse, barn and orchard at Wetherell Farm, circa 1920, donated by Ed Wetherell. The society has also received several photo albums of vintage Warwick photos from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The society will be open for Old Home Days on Aug. 26 and is hoping to have a cemetery walk that afternoon where participants will have the chance to learn more about historical citizens buried there. Warwick Historical Society is open Sundays from 2-4 p.m., July 2-Aug. 27. More information can be found at www.history.town.warwick.ma.us.

Petersham Historical Society

On the third Wednesday of the month, the Petersham Historical Society is sponsoring “Talking History Corner,” at the Petersham Library. People to stop in between 5-7 p.m. and ask questions, share ideas and talk about what history intrigues them. The Living History for the Petersham Orthodox Church will take place on Saturday, June 24, from 2-3 p.m. on the North Common, with reception to follow. In the event of rain, it will take place in the Town Hall. School House Day will be presented by the society at the Pertersham Center School on June 6. This will be a relaxed, casual observation of what a school day might be like in the town’s old schoolhouse.

Swift River Historical Society

Swift River has several programs for those interested in the towns which were flooded to create the Quabbin Reservoir. Several Quabbin hikes are planned, including a spring hike on May 21 in the Gate 33 area of the Quabbin Reservoir, an early fall hike on Sept. 24 at Gate 37 area/North Dana, and on Oct. 15 there is a Prescott hike at Gate 17. This last hike is limited to 25 guests. You must pre-register for this event by email to dotfryesrvhs@gmail.com or at 978-544-6882.

Other Quabbin-related events include a Memorial Day Commemoration at Quabbin Park Cemetery on May 28 beginning at 10 a.m. On July 16 there will be a Dana Reunion held at Dana Common at Gate 40 at 11 a.m. at the Quabbin Reservoir. On July 23, Dana Vespers will be in the Prescott Church on the grounds of the historical society at 2 p.m.

On Aug. 27 the society will host “Exploring The History of the Quabbin Valley Through Gravestones,” presented by Maria Beiter-Tucker. The program will be held in the Prescott Church at 1 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 9, “Lost Towns of the Swift River Valley” will be presented by author Elena Palladinoat at the Prescott Church at 2 p.m.

A program entitled “Finding Your Voice – A Historical Perspective with Judith McIntosh and Elena Palladino” will be held at the Athol Public Library on July 12, 6:30-8 p.m. and will continue on Saturday, July 15, in the archives room of the Prescott Church from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Pre-registration required at athollibrary.org. On July 29, Tom Ricardi will be present a birds of prey program at the society at 1 p.m. On Aug. 6, the society will host “A Visit With Lura Berry Barnes,” presented by historical interpreter Karen Traub at 2 p.m. Any changes will be posted on the society’s Facebook page. The society is open from June 21-Sept. 13 on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons from 1-4 p.m. More information can be found at www.swiftrivermuseum.org.

Other historical events

The Phillipston Historical Society will display flags on the front lawn in honor of Memorial Day. During the season they are planning to have themed events and displays each week. A schedule of dates and times and themes will be available by the end of June and can be received by contacting the society through www.phillipston.org.

The Royalston Historical Society is moving its historical items back to the museum following last year’s renovations, with plans to reopen in the summer. A cemetery walk is planned for October. More information about the reopening will be posted on the society’s Facebook page or www.royalstonhistorical.org.

The Wendell Historical Society will continue to fundraise to purchase and renovate the Old Wendell Depot Store and Post Office. A little over $4,000 has been raised, with the cost of the building at $45,000. A GoFundMe site has been set up at gofund.me/c0f70ccc.

“This building will be the very first history museum in Wendell,” said President Ed Hines.

More information about the history of Wendell and Wendell Historical Society can be found at www.wendellhistoricalsociety.org.

The local historical societies always welcomes new members and volunteers and is to consider donations of items related to their towns.

“History vaporizes without the dedicated local historians,” said Reed.

Carla Charter is a freelance writer from Phillipston. Her writing focuses on the history of the North Quabbin area. Contact her at cjfreelancewriter@earthlink.net.

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