October 2024

 

4th Quarter

Number 80
Artifacts & Fiction
The Quarterly Newsletter of the
Montgomery Historical Society
P.O. Box 47
Montgomery, VT 05471

e-mail pratthall@gmail.com

www.montgomeryhistoricalsociety.org

Click here for a printer friendly pdf version


The head of Ceres II, part of the statue formerly atop the capitol dome, now on display at the VT History Museum.
Scott Perry, Chair/Editor
 John Kuryloski, Vice Chair
   Marijke Dollois, Secretary
     Pat Farmer, Treasurer

  The MHS Board meets the third Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m.  at Pratt Hall in the Summer, Public Safety Building Conference Room in the Winter, and on Zoom during pandemics!




History Quiz:

1.   Montgomery was the first town in our area to have settlers, 1793.  Of our seven bordering towns, which was the next to have settlers?
a.  Richford
b.  Enosburg               
c.  Bakersfield
d.  Westfield

2.  In 1975 the Montgomery Schoolhouse Inc diversified and added two other products to its lineup produced in North Hyde Park, VT and Massachusetts.  What were they?
a.  Dolls         
b.  Trail Groomers      
c.  Jewelry      
d.  Maple Nuts and Candy      e.  Wood Stoves

3.  From 1900 to 2010, the number of Americans living in rural areas shrunk from 40% of the population to  _______%.
a.  29%    
b.  18%    
c.  13%    
d.   9%

Source:  Smithsonian Exhibit, “Crossroads: Change in Rural America”


CHAIRMAN'S CORNER:  "For The Love of Vermont"

     I had the good fortune recently to visit the Vermont Historical Society's exhibit of Lyman Orton's collection of paintings of Vermont. Titled "for The Love of Vermont", it's a portion of his collection  which largely focuses on works of Vermont's landscapes and common activities from the early 1900s through 1970 by many painters.  His collection was a labor of love and meant to keep the paintings in, or repatriate them to, Vermont.  The show was originally done at the Bennington Museum closer to Lyman's home in Weston where his family has run the Vermont Country Store for many years.  

     This show is reason enough to make a trip to Montpelier where it is being shown at the Vermont Historical Society Museum in the Pavilion Office Building (next to the Supreme Court and Capitol buildings), but the newly renovated other galleries are worth a gander too.  One space has been set aside for local historical societies to exhibit.  The Pittsford Historical Society has a wonderful exhibit "A Century of Creative Women in Pittsford".    We would like to do that someday.

VHS Local Societies Exhibit Gallery

     Our Society, among others, is acknowledged for making the VHS Local Gallery possible.  Current exhibits are open through December.

     Thanks for your support,

    Scott


BIG EASY JAZZ



      Jon McBride's Big Easy filled Pratt Hall with a program of New Orleans style jazz on Friday the 13th in September.  He drew on early Caribbean influences giving a short history of each composition.  You could tell the band enjoyed the "room" and enjoyed playing outside Burlington for a change.  The lucky and enthusiastic audience was treated to a spectacular show.



JAY CRAVEN'S "LOST NATION"

     In later September we partnered with the Friends of the Library to host film maker Jay Craven and the area premiere of "Lost Nation" at the Town Hall.  The film was set in Vermont during the tumultuous period of the Revolutionary War.  The film painted a complex story of conflicting interests and personalities based on real events in the lives of Ethan Allen and Lucy Terry Prince.  Jay set the stage and answered questions afterwards.

 



REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE

      We received a request from a group interested in converting a local barn to a youth center.  They hoped it might be a historic structure and thus eligible for preservation grants.  While there has been a barn of some sort there since the 1800s the current structure dates to 1925 when it was rebuilt after a fire.  It is not within a historic district.    

     We also received several requests for genealogical research assistance.  While we don't have much family information in our archives we were able to pass a few bits along.  In one case we had school photos that may help.   


MHS WEB SITE UPDATE






2025 HISTORIC CALENDARS
GET'EM WHILE THEY'RE HOT!

     Our 2025 calendars are selling fast.  You can get one at the Farmer's Market, the Town office, Lutz's, or online.  We'll also have some at the MES Craft Show and Sale.  They make a great gift!





2024 FARMERS MARKET WRAPS UP...  SORT OF

     Our last regularly scheduled farmers market was September 28th.  It was our best year yet and we want to thank all of our vendors and customers for all your support.

     Several vendors plan on one last date on October 12th so if you get his before then come on down!



GENERAL RICHARD MONTGOMERY


     The “Friends of the Library” display on our town’s namesake still adorns the common area walls of the Public Safety Building.  This St. Albans Messenger article is about the display.  The next time you're at the Town Offices or Library take a look.
 

THIS QUARTER IN MONTGOMERY & VT HISTORY

        October:   1829, Chester Arthur born.

     November:   1952, Crescent Theater purchased by Montgomery Grange #548

     December:   1978, First caroling program held in Pratt Hall




HISTORY QUIZ ANSWERS


     1.  Montgomery was the first town in our area to have settlers, 1793.  Of our seven bordering towns, which was the next to have settlers?  c.  Bakersfield 1794.

     2.  In 1975 the Montgomery Schoolhouse Inc diversified and added two other products to its lineup produced in North Hyde Park and Massachusetts.  What were they?  b. Trail Groomers and c. Jewelry      

     3.  From 1900 to 2010, the number of Americans living in rural areas shrunk from 40% of the population to b. 18%.
Source:  Smithsonian Exhibit, “Crossroads: Change in Rural America”


MEMBERSHIP 2024 SO FAR


      Looks like our membership numbers are going to fall short of our end of year goal of 200 but there's still time.  Anyone can join or renew via our web site page, or if you prefer, regular mail.  Click  Membership.

      Benefits of membership include our newsletters, savings on our books and gift items, and the satisfaction you are giving to a great local organization making direct contributions to our community, whether programs at Pratt Hall, scholarships, or our archives.

THANK YOU!



REMAINING 2024 EVENTS

      October 12th:  Mini market on the Lawn at Pratt Hall for one last hurrah!  Some of the Farmer's Market vendors will gather with some end of season offerings.

      October 30th:  Pratt Hall will host the Friends of the Library's Young Writers presentations and pizza party.


      December 1st, 2:00 pm at Pratt Hall:  Howard Coffin.
 "Vermont Women and the Civil War."  With nearly 35,000 of the state’s able-bodied men at war, the monumental tasks of keeping more than 30,000 farms in operation became very much a female enterprise.  Women also took the place of men in factories and worked after hours making items needed by the soldiers.  Told in their own words, from letters and diaries.  Funded in part by the Vermont Humanities Council, the Friends of the Library and our Society.

     December 14th, 9:00 - 3:00:  Visit the MHS booth at the  Montgomery Elementary School craft show and sale.

     December 21st, Holiday Happiness 11:00 - 2:00 at Pratt Hall.  Horse drawn wagon rides and Montgomery FD delivers Santa at noon.

     December 22nd, 6:00 pm at Pratt Hall.  Candles and Carols annual sing along.  



MEN WITH TOOLS

     The tower clock is working again!  Kevin (Quasimodo) Scheffler, Pat Farmer, John Kuryloski, and Scott Perry modified the weight chase to minimize friction, and lubricated and cleaned the time mechanism, called a train.  It has been running smoothly since August.  Fingers crossed!!


Pat On A Hot Tin Roof!

     While in the tower we discovered several leaks in the roof where the posts extended through it to form the crenelated railing.  A subsequent visit to the roof with roofing cement was a success.  


View From The Top Of The Tower

     We also made repairs to the entryway threshold and ramp.  Our to-do list includes work on the interior and entryway lighting.


   
 PRATT HALL'S BELL

     While the bell at Pratt Hall has served the community well for over most of the last 150+ years, it's not the prettiest.  This may have contributed to some well meaning graffiti by men that have worked on the building over time.  Frank Pratt and  Albert(?) Hubert signed it in 1932 after painting.  Frank and L.S. Boardman signed it July 15th, 1941 while painting the building again.  Other signatories include Bucky Hoss (1985),  Dana Kennison 1989) and Tommy Patras (1994)


  

NEW ARCHIVAL BUILDING

    It took Montgomery's Episcopalians 8 years to plan and build their church.  It seems like we are on a similar time line.

     We are making progress though, on a design and plans, and have published a pamphlet which will give you an idea of what we hope to build to safeguard and exhibit Montgomery's growing collection.  Our consulting engineer is preparing  documents we will need for reaching out to our neighbors and getting approvals from the Town.  Our capital campaign will shift into high gear after we get the green light.

     You can donate to our building fund anytime online on our "History 4 Sale" page.



MYSTERY PHOTO:  PLEASANT HOURS ON TROUT RIVER, MONTGOMERY, VT

     We found this on ebay.  Anyone know where it might have been taken?  The cancellation on the reverse side is 1908.

Thanks to the following businesses for their membership and support. Let them know you appreciate their civic mindedness by your patronage.

2024 Business Members so far...
Black Lantern Inn  ~  Community Bank N.A.  ~  David Howe Memorial Library
Ficoceillo Real Estate ~
Lucky Dog Maple  ~  Lutz's Automotive
Manosh Properties LLC ~
N.A. Manosh Inc.  ~  Phineas Swann B&B
Sherm D. Potvin Consulting ~ Sunset Motor Inn ~ The Inn


Thanks for your support!  Not a member...  why not join us?