Back in the 1980s, I ran an antiques shop in Springfield with my girlfriend Cyndi. The shop was located on the corner of Valley Street and Main Street, in the old brick building. Cyndi ran the shop. I travelled the … Continued
Here’s another story from Richard Whitcomb. This is a familiar story for me. It reminds me of the hundreds of attics I have picked in the last 50 years. Accumulations like this will never exist again. “Our Attic” … Continued
Recently I was reading an older typewritten document regarding Fletcher Female Seminary. I copy it here as typed. The typist copied what he, or she, read in the 1836 newspaper. There are a couple errors. These errors are probably the … Continued
A while back, Ted Spaulding gave me a book written by Richard Whitcomb of Springfield, titled “Rambling Reminiscences.” I just got around to reading it. Here’s a little history from the title page. “Richard Whitcomb was born in Spencer … Continued
Whalers In the days of whaling, whalers spent weeks or months between whale kills. Some whalers took up scrimshawing to break the monotony. Some scrimshawed whales’ teeth. Depending on the skill of the whaler, these teeth can be works of … Continued
CLAREMONT, N.H. – The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with New Hampshire Humanities, presents “Crossroads: Change in Rural America.” The exhibition, examining the evolving landscape of rural America, opened at River Valley Community College (RVCC) on Oct. 14, … Continued
SAXTONS RIVER, Vt. – Before plastic became king, there was tin ware. Early tin ware manufacture in Saxtons River is the topic of a talk Sunday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m., at the 24 Main Street community center. Tinsmith Richard … Continued
Last week I wrote about Bob Turco and antler shed hunters. Vermonters have always felt a strong gravitational pull to the natural world. This is why we collect stuff. Driftwood is something we have all picked up or admired as … Continued
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Michelle Sherburne will present the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) program “A Closer Look at Vermonters and the Underground Railroad in the Pre-Civil War Era” on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m., at the Nolin Murray Center … Continued
Vermont has a long history of attracting famous people as residents. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn moving to Cavendish in 1976 is a perfect example. In a previous life I knew Peter Lee-Thompson. I met Peter at the Pioneer House. Over time we … Continued