Cabin Fever
I thought I would write an article about, “The Weathervane,” for this week. About 1984, I bought the antique horse weathervane on the barn at Stone Hearth Inn. I took a photo of that vane but can’t find it, so … Continued
Ron Patch
Black History Month – What’s in a photo?
Tom Hildreth wrote the following history. Whenever I have an aviation question I always go to Tom. If he doesn’t know off the top of his head, he will look it up and get back to me. Because of my … Continued
Bartonsville memories
Below is a story by Lee Kendall. Henry can relate. It takes place in 1964 when the Kendalls were living in Bartonsville: All the big kids in town spent a lot of time hanging around the covered bridge. The … Continued
The Mailbox
I think it’s natural, as we grow older, to reminisce about our childhood days. I know men my age who collect Roy Rogers, Coca-Cola, or Lionel trains. This is nostalgia. I am just as nostalgic about my childhood. I collect … Continued
Law & Order
The passage below is from “History of Rockingham, Vermont,” by Lyman Hayes, 1907. “During the early years of Rockingham as a town, there were many peculiar laws upon the statute books which were interesting to note. Nine offenses were punishable … Continued
Boys will be boys
Here’s a fun, real photo postcard. First you’ll notice a handsome goat hitched to a small wagon with two boys. From a technical standpoint, this is about as good as a photograph can get. The photographer understood how to use … Continued
Gone with the wind
Here’s an unusual, real photo postcard of a balloonist at the Sept. 2, 1908 Springfield Fair. The fair was held where Riverside Middle School is today, hence Fairgrounds Road. I called Hugh Putnam, of the Springfield Art and Historical Society, … Continued
The Superhighway
In the late 1950s we began hearing rumors about a Superhighway. I am, of course, referring to Interstate 91. Prior to I-91, Vermont was isolated from the rest of New England. U.S. Route 5 followed the Connecticut River from the … Continued
Local History: Deal me in
I think most readers know I collect Vermont antiques. Years ago I used to see decks of playing cards with Vermont scenes. Today they are seldom seen. They date to 1910. Printed on the front of the card box is … Continued
Local History: Benedict Arnold buried in Chester
Yup. As I was told, a headless Benedict Arnold is buried up in Popple Dungeon. Who knew? Occasionally, I’m contacted by someone asking what I know about this or that. A while back I was contacted by a letter carrier … Continued