SAHS Authors Forge New Book!

Forget swag; for many in 1880s Springfield, Vermont, it was all about the snath. Snaths, or scythe handles, and the fittings that joined those handles to the cutting head were one of the many products produced at the Springfield foundry, the subject of a new book published by the Springfield Art and Historical Society.

"A History of the Foundry in Springfield, Vermont" by longtime SAHS board members Alain E. Fusonie and Donna Jean Fusonie combines historical research, period photos, catalogue reproductions and Vermont gumption into a story like exploration of those the authors call "The Entrepreneurs and the Workers of the Soot."

This well researched and documented book provides a picture of the development of the foundry businesses in Springfield, Vermont, and there eventual long-term relationship to the local machine tool industries. On sale now at the Miller Art Center; available soon for online purchase. For more information, including bulk retail pricing, call board member Ken Stringham at 802-885-5265.

Stop by our booth at the Vermont Apple Festival this Saturday. Meet Alain E. Fusonie, author of "A History of the Foundry in Springfield, Vermont" and purchase a signed copy!

The Springfield Art and Historical Society will be open for one more day, Saturday October 12th from 11:00am to 3:00pm. This will be the LAST opportunity to view our 2013 historical exhibit, "Returning Fire! - The 150th Anniversary of Springfield, Vermont in the Civil War." After Saturday we will be closed for the season. Our annual membership potluck dinner and meeting TBA soon.

Columbus Day Weekend Recap

The SAHS had a very busy Columbus Day weekend, but what a beautiful weekend it was! We couldn’t have asked for better weather, it was perfect! Saturday was the 29^th annual Vermont Apple Festival and Craft Show. SAHS members and volunteers set up our display booth in the Riverside School cafeteria Friday evening and took turns at the booth during the day on Saturday. The Apple Festival ran from 9am to 5pm, but with set-up and clean-up time factored in it was a long day indeed. However, we had a great time and the chance to meet and talk with some wonderful people! 

SAHS display at the 29^th annual Vermont Apple Festival

The SASH offered for sale a selection of Springfield history books, historic photos and postcards and quilt raffle tickets. We also had some bowls from last year’s Empty Bowl Dinner fundraiser. Our historic display included photos and one of the many bicentennial flags in our collection. Over a dozen flags were created by people in Springfield and were displayed around town during our nation’s bicentennial celebration. Two of these flags were on display during our 250^th anniversary exhibit this summer.

Face painting by our student interns was a big hit! The interns painted butterflies, pumpkins, apples, spiders, tigers and more. One little girl was so happy with her butterfly face that she kissed her reflection in the hand-held mirror. A big thank you goes out to our inters for all their hard work!

On Sunday we were finally able to present our vintage fashion show. Originally scheduled for August 28, we had to cancel because of Hurricane Irene. This Sunday we had blue sky and plenty of sunshine! The interns and volunteers modeling the antique and vintage clothing arrived at the Miller Art Center at noon. After getting dressed we had change to take a few pictures before the fashion show began. Everyone who attended had a great time and agreed it was a wonderful event. Marita Johnson from SAPA TV was gracious enough to film the event so if you missed us on Sunday, look for us on SAPA! 

Vintage hats, SAHS collection

The events this Columbus Day weekend concludes our 2011 season. We will be closed to the public until next spring. If you are interested in visiting the Springfield Art and Historical Society at the Miller Art Center please call us at 802-885-2415 to make an appointment. We will have our annual meeting and pot luck dinner on November __.  Elections of our board of officers will take place at this time. SAHS members and the general public are encouraged and welcomed to attend. Our guest speaker is TBA.

Check back soon for pictures from our vintage fashion show and details about this year’s Empty Bowl Dinner!

The 29th Annual Vermont Apple Festival

The 29th Annual Vermont Apple Festival and Craft Show will take place Columbus Day Weekend, October 8 2011 from 9:00am to 5:00pm at Riverside Middle School in Springfield, Vermont. For more information please visit the Springfield Apple Festival website http://www.springfieldvt.com/apple-festival.htm

The Springfield Art and Historical Society will have a booth this year. Stop by and see us!

Interns at 2010 Apple Festival