For the January program we will be changing our “Antique Technology” display; so if you have not seen it be sure to come by. Our next display will be featuring “winter” including winter paintings and photographs.
Monthly Meetings: On the third Saturday of the month at 2 pm, we will have scheduled programs. Here is the line-up for the first four months:
Jan 16: We will discuss the 13 historical pictures in our 2016 calendar.
Feb 20: Ron Patch will talk about our Lee pewter collection.
Mar 19: Scott Andrew Bartley, professional genealogist, will discuss his current research project, Early Vermont Settlers to 1784 and also how you go about researching your early ancestors.
Apr 16: Author Aimee Fogg will discuss WW2 soldiers buried in foreign American cemeteries
such as Henri- Chapelle, in Belgium, as well as other foreign WW2 cemetery sites.
2016 Calendars: They are available at Bibens’ Home Center, Images, Young’s Furniture, the Co-op, the Around the Corner Barber, the VAULT, Cota & Cota and the at Society. The cost is $10. This calendar has some great historical pictures of Springfield and is the subject of our first program on Jan. 16th. It is a nice gift for Springfield folks who have moved out of town. Also for sale, we have The History of Springfield Vermont by Richard Keith Barney ($15). This is a 726 page book documenting Springfield’s history through the Springfield Reporter. It is very interesting reading, Images of America: Springfield by Rosanne “Bunni” Putnam ($21.99), a pictorial history of Springfield, 128 pages, 215 photographs (also available at the library), The Blue Sox Book by Hugh Putnam ($20), the history of Springfield’s “semi-pro” baseball team between 1925 and 1944, and Toonerville Trail bookends ($10 a pair), these are actual pieces of the old trolley tracks from Charlestown to Springfield. These and many other items are available for purchase.
We want to acknowledge and thank our high school Interns who, under the leadership of Emily Stringham and John Swanson, did a very nice job decorating a tree for this year’s Springfield Garden Club “Festival of Trees” using old fashioned style decorations and old photographs.
We are always pleased to receive new items to add to our Springfield history collection. However, we received two donations of particular interest. Two inlayed wooden boxes were part of a recent donation from Caye Nemkovich Ellison of Ludlow. They are of particular interest because imprinted on the front is “Slack’s Champion Plant Vigor, manufactured by Slack Fertilizer Company, Springfield, Vt.” The Slack Fertilizer Company was actually located in North Springfield, but moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1885; that would make these boxes in the neighborhood of 150 years old.But beyond that, it is very possible that the boxes were made by the Martin Box Factory, also located in North Springfield at that time. The Box Factory was known for making decorative and jewelry boxes. The factory burned in 1883, it was rebuilt and burned again in 1893. This donation brings to light a completely new piece of Springfield history.
Our second acquisition is a donation of seven books by Scott Andrew Bartley for our research library. These books include Vermont Families in 1791, Vols. 1 and 2; State Papers of Vermont, Vol. VII; Vermont Newspaper Abstracts; Walpole [NH], As it was and as it is – 1749 to 1879 (2);Vermont Place Names; Windsor Country Vermont Probate Index 1778 – 1899; and the Transcription of the State Copy of the 1850 Federal Census for Springfield VT; plus an exceptionally nice copy of Hubbard & Dartts’ 1895 The History of Springfield Vermont.
In other exciting news, we recently heard from the Springfield Town Office that we have gathered enough signatures on our petition to be placed on the spring 2016 Annual Town Meeting Ballet. We would like to ask the Town of Springfield for $9,500 to assist in the preserving, maintaining, and displaying for the public, the history and art of the Springfield, Vermont. This money will form the base for our $18,000 per year rent at our new location.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Changing Locations
Some of you may have noticed the "For Sale" sign out front this summer.... Yes, the Miller Art Center has been sold.
What happens when you have the most iconic, three-story, Victorian house in town donated to you to be used as an art and historical center? You get very excited and think it is just the best thing that could ever happen to you. Now fast forward sixty years. The tile roof needs repair, the brick needs to be re-pointed, the wooden trim is rotting, there is a tree growing out of one of the chimneys because we have not been able to afford to run the heat in the winter for several years, one of the walls of the Carriage House is collapsing, and we have no funds to fix any of the above problems or any of the other smaller problems, like plumbing and wiring. After much discussion, last year the trustees voted to put the house on the market and hoped someone would fall in love with it and be able to afford to restore it to all its former beauty.
In the meantime, we began a search for a place to house three-floors of town history and art in case someone actually made an offer to buy the house. The security of the collection and what the society could afford were our criteria. Accordingly we had to eliminate the very old, wooden buildings on Main Street from our list of possibilities. Other places we visited were either too expensive or needed a lot of structural work that, once again, would leave us with no financial cushion.
Well we did get an offer from a Connecticut couple who love the house and want to turn it back into a home--their home. They are excited that so much of the original interior has remained intact. It is the best thing that could happen to the house. It needs a lot of love and work—we all loved it, but we do not have the money to do the work.
Now fast forward.
We have officially and completely moved out of 9 Elm Hill (The Miller Building) and passed papers to the new owners! We hope everyone will respect the privacy of the new owners now that the Miller House and grounds are no longer open to the general public. We have relocated four floors of possessions in about three weeks time. It was a huge task but we made the deadline!
We negotiated a lease with Cota & Cota and have moved to the former Probate Court Office on Route 106 in North Springfield. The space is smaller than we would like but it is newly renovated and ready to move in. It has good visibility and parking, and we can operate year-round. The rent is closer to what we can afford but we are going to need to raise about $18,000 per year to become an active society and not just a warehouse for Springfield’s artifacts.
THANK YOU to all those who volunteered their time, we could not have done it with out you. Now we are laying out our new space and working on putting all of these things in their new locations. We have a much smaller space so it is going to take time.
We don't expect to be officially open until our Annual Meeting, scheduled for Saturday, October 17th. More details will be announced as we work our way to this new and exciting deadline.
What happens when you have the most iconic, three-story, Victorian house in town donated to you to be used as an art and historical center? You get very excited and think it is just the best thing that could ever happen to you. Now fast forward sixty years. The tile roof needs repair, the brick needs to be re-pointed, the wooden trim is rotting, there is a tree growing out of one of the chimneys because we have not been able to afford to run the heat in the winter for several years, one of the walls of the Carriage House is collapsing, and we have no funds to fix any of the above problems or any of the other smaller problems, like plumbing and wiring. After much discussion, last year the trustees voted to put the house on the market and hoped someone would fall in love with it and be able to afford to restore it to all its former beauty.
In the meantime, we began a search for a place to house three-floors of town history and art in case someone actually made an offer to buy the house. The security of the collection and what the society could afford were our criteria. Accordingly we had to eliminate the very old, wooden buildings on Main Street from our list of possibilities. Other places we visited were either too expensive or needed a lot of structural work that, once again, would leave us with no financial cushion.
Well we did get an offer from a Connecticut couple who love the house and want to turn it back into a home--their home. They are excited that so much of the original interior has remained intact. It is the best thing that could happen to the house. It needs a lot of love and work—we all loved it, but we do not have the money to do the work.
Now fast forward.
We have officially and completely moved out of 9 Elm Hill (The Miller Building) and passed papers to the new owners! We hope everyone will respect the privacy of the new owners now that the Miller House and grounds are no longer open to the general public. We have relocated four floors of possessions in about three weeks time. It was a huge task but we made the deadline!
We negotiated a lease with Cota & Cota and have moved to the former Probate Court Office on Route 106 in North Springfield. The space is smaller than we would like but it is newly renovated and ready to move in. It has good visibility and parking, and we can operate year-round. The rent is closer to what we can afford but we are going to need to raise about $18,000 per year to become an active society and not just a warehouse for Springfield’s artifacts.
THANK YOU to all those who volunteered their time, we could not have done it with out you. Now we are laying out our new space and working on putting all of these things in their new locations. We have a much smaller space so it is going to take time.
We don't expect to be officially open until our Annual Meeting, scheduled for Saturday, October 17th. More details will be announced as we work our way to this new and exciting deadline.
Please note the changes to our contact information. We have a new physical address and phone number.
Our new physical address is
65 Route 106,
North Springfield, VT
Our new telephone number is
802-886-7935
Our mailing address remains the same:
PO Box 313,
Springfield, VT 05156
However, we are currently closed while we relocate into this new space.
Our new physical address is
65 Route 106,
North Springfield, VT
Our new telephone number is
802-886-7935
Our mailing address remains the same:
PO Box 313,
Springfield, VT 05156
However, we are currently closed while we relocate into this new space.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Grand Army of the Republic - Jarvis Post No. 7, Springfield, Vt
Picture of Jarvis Post No. 7, Springfield, Vermont (Photographs courtesy of Heather Fullam)
Jarvis Post No. 7 in Springfield, Vt was "named after Major Charles Jarvis and organized August 21, 1868, the following officers being elected: Commander H.W. Floyd; senior vice-commander, T. R. Proctor; junior vice-commander, Adin H. Whitmore; sergeant-major Edwin D. Hatch; adjutant, J. Wood Hastings; quartermaster, L. A. Pierce; surgeon L. M. Tuttle; chaplain E. N. Dean. The Post was disbanded in 1874, and was re-organized in July 1884, with the following officers: W. H. H. Slack, commander; W. H. H. Putnam, S.V.C.; William Sparrow, J.V.C.; A. O. Coburn, adjutant; William M. Lewis, quartermaster; S. Grow, chaplain. Meetings are held first and third Wednesdays of the month and present membership is seventy-eight. The officers elected in 1888 were: Commander, C. Sparrow; S.V.C., Justus Dart, J.V.C., C. C. Johnson, adjutant, A. W. Stickney, quartermaster, D. B. Lockhart; chaplain, Adelbert Allen." (Aldrich 1888?, 451)
Major Charles JarvisMajor Charles Jarvis was born in Weathersfield, August 21, 1821. At the age of nine years, he was placed under the tuition of Solomon Foote at Castleton, Vt., and afterwards attended Exeter Academy. He was a student of Vermont University at the age of fourteen years, being the youngest member of his class. Graduating in 1839 he began the study of law in the offices Leverett Saltonstall and Judge Ward of Salem, Mass., but relinquished his studies and returned to Weathersfield on account of the death of his only brother, William. From this time he devoted himself to his parents, relieving his aged father from the weight and care of business, and settled his estate after his death.
Feeling it his duty to devote himself to the service of his country, he raised a company for the Ninth Vermont Regiment in March, 1862, and he was chosen captain. The regiment was captured at Harpers Ferry and paroled in the strictest manner and ordered to Fort Douglas, Chicago. On account of the absence of his superior officers the command of the camp devolved on Captain Jarvis.
In June, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Yorktown, Va., and Captain (now Major) Jarvis received a furlough and returned home. He was soon ordered to Boston Harbor to take charge of the Vermont conscripts, but rejoined his regiment at Yorktown early in October, 1863. The regiment removed to New Berne, N.C., and subsequently to Newport Barracks, N.C., and on December 1, 1863, while on an expedition Major Jarvis was mortally wounded. Major Jarvis was never married." - By Mark Felone
Source: Aldrich, Lewis Cass. "History of Windsor County, Vermont. Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co., publishers. 1888?, p 992.
http://suvcw.org/garposts/index.htm
 |
| Back row - left to right E. Weatherby, - , Geo. Pearsons, Dave Fairbanks, Oscar Parkhurst, Amos Gould, Joshua ?, A. O. Coburn, H. H. Conger, -, King Middle row - left to right Long, Meacham, A. W. Stickney, O. E. Waite, W. H. H. Putnam, William MCin(tosh?), Charles Whipple Front row - left to right -, -, Charles Herrick, William Sparrow, W. S. Allen, Dexter Lockwood, R. S. Herrick, H. H. Phillips, Merrel Bailey, William Gage, ? |
 |
| Names on back of photo |
 |
| Charles Jarvis (1821-186 |
Major Charles JarvisMajor Charles Jarvis was born in Weathersfield, August 21, 1821. At the age of nine years, he was placed under the tuition of Solomon Foote at Castleton, Vt., and afterwards attended Exeter Academy. He was a student of Vermont University at the age of fourteen years, being the youngest member of his class. Graduating in 1839 he began the study of law in the offices Leverett Saltonstall and Judge Ward of Salem, Mass., but relinquished his studies and returned to Weathersfield on account of the death of his only brother, William. From this time he devoted himself to his parents, relieving his aged father from the weight and care of business, and settled his estate after his death.
Feeling it his duty to devote himself to the service of his country, he raised a company for the Ninth Vermont Regiment in March, 1862, and he was chosen captain. The regiment was captured at Harpers Ferry and paroled in the strictest manner and ordered to Fort Douglas, Chicago. On account of the absence of his superior officers the command of the camp devolved on Captain Jarvis.
In June, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Yorktown, Va., and Captain (now Major) Jarvis received a furlough and returned home. He was soon ordered to Boston Harbor to take charge of the Vermont conscripts, but rejoined his regiment at Yorktown early in October, 1863. The regiment removed to New Berne, N.C., and subsequently to Newport Barracks, N.C., and on December 1, 1863, while on an expedition Major Jarvis was mortally wounded. Major Jarvis was never married." - By Mark Felone
Source: Aldrich, Lewis Cass. "History of Windsor County, Vermont. Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co., publishers. 1888?, p 992.
http://suvcw.org/garposts/index.htm
 |
| The Grand Army of the Republic Badge. Authorized by Congress to be worn on the uniform by Union veterans - Source |
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| Reverse of the Grand Army of the Republic Badge - Source |
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Children's Clothing - Red, White, and Blue
The Springfield Art and Historical Society has a wonderful collection of children's clothing. Those who attended our vintage fashion show back in October 2011 will certainly agree. The collection consists of infants caps, christening gowns, and everyday clothing from the mid 19th century up to the 1960s.
Each piece of clothing was beautifully constructed in its time with great care, even those made in the 20th century by machine. When viewed, each piece seems absolutely unique. However, there will occasionally be found in other collections very similar pieces. Take for example a little blue and white check gown in the SAHS collection.
Our gown dates approximately to the late 1870s or 1880s. One of kind? Not exactly. Take a look at this selection of children's clothing recently sold by Augusta Auctions. See anything familiar?
These lovely little dresses date between 1850 and 1875. A close up of the blue and white check can be seen here. The white embroidery on the middle child's dress is very similar to the embroidery on the SAHS blue dress seen in the above picture. Blue and red appear to have been popular colors for children's clothing.
When looking at an original dress, it is often hard to tell if it was worn by a little boy or a little girl. The child in the photo seen below is most likely a little girl as she is shown will a doll. However the shape and style of her clothing is very similar to those pictured above. Up until the early 20th century, boys wore dresses until they were potty trained.
 |
| Children's clothing on display during "250 Years of Fashion - A Vintage Fashion Show" October, 2011 |
Our gown dates approximately to the late 1870s or 1880s. One of kind? Not exactly. Take a look at this selection of children's clothing recently sold by Augusta Auctions. See anything familiar?
These lovely little dresses date between 1850 and 1875. A close up of the blue and white check can be seen here. The white embroidery on the middle child's dress is very similar to the embroidery on the SAHS blue dress seen in the above picture. Blue and red appear to have been popular colors for children's clothing.
When looking at an original dress, it is often hard to tell if it was worn by a little boy or a little girl. The child in the photo seen below is most likely a little girl as she is shown will a doll. However the shape and style of her clothing is very similar to those pictured above. Up until the early 20th century, boys wore dresses until they were potty trained.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
An Award Winning Book
Has anyone read "The Entrepreneurs and the Workers of the Soot: A History of the Foundry in Springfield, Vermont" by Alan and Donna Jean Fusonie? We would love to hear your feedback.
In November 2013, this book received the "Award of Excellence for Publications" from the League of Local Historical Societies & Museums. The book is now in the process of being nominated for a national book award, "Publications Category - Leadership in History Awards for the American Association for State and Local History."
Copies of the award winning book may be purchased for $29.95 each at Black River Books and the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center in Springfield, Vt and at Misty Valley Books in Chester, Vt., Springfield Library, Vermont Historical Society or direct from Springfield Art and Historical Society c/o Ken Stringham kstringham@vermontel.net. 802-885-5265.
THE ENTREPRENEURS AND THE
WORKERS OF THE SOOT
A HISTORY OF
THE
FOUNDRY
IN SPRINGFIELD , VERMONT
By Alan E. Fusonie and
Donna Jean Fusonie
This
well researched and documented book provides
a picture of the development of the foundry businesses in Springfield , Vermont
The authors also focus on
the untold story of the forgotten Foundry workers in Springfield , Vermont Black River to the significant
employment of immigrants during the first half of the twentieth century, the
story of the Foundry business is set within the events of the time. Springfield
eventually became the leading industrial town in the state of Vermont
Copyright © 2013 by Alan E.
Fusonie
First Edition, First Printing,
July 2013
In November 2013, this book received the "Award of Excellence for Publications" from the League of Local Historical Societies & Museums. The book is now in the process of being nominated for a national book award, "Publications Category - Leadership in History Awards for the American Association for State and Local History."
Copies of the award winning book may be purchased for $29.95 each at Black River Books and the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center in Springfield, Vt and at Misty Valley Books in Chester, Vt., Springfield Library, Vermont Historical Society or direct from Springfield Art and Historical Society c/o Ken Stringham kstringham@vermontel.net. 802-885-5265.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
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.
"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.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Article in the Eagle Times - Our Civil War exhibit
Article in the Eagle Times 6/21/13
"Museum brings back exhibit for Civil War anniversary"
SPRINGFIELD
— The Springfield Art & Historical Society held its annual First
Night Reception yesterday, reopening the downtown Miller Art Center for
the summer season with the return of a display honoring the town’s
involvement during the Civil War.The festivities marked an exhibit titled “Returning Fire” that explores the role of Springfield citizens and solders during the Civil War. Within the latest Miller Art Center display, first brought to Springfield in 1998, is several new items for 2013 including reading materials and a presentation sword.
Emily Stringham, a member of the society’s board and the textiles curator, said some of the items are also on loan that are different from the initial exhibit. The 150th anniversary of the Civil War prompted the return of the historical artifacts dating back to the 1860s.
It
is also the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and there was a
sizable amount of Springfield soldiers (and Vermonters in general) who
took part in the three-day conflict outside of the Pennsylvania town
where more than 23,000 soldiers on both sides died. “It is a really important part of Springfield’s history and there’s a lot of different towns all over the state that are trying to tie into the anniversary. And we thought Springfield played an important role and we ought to be contributing to the anniversary also,” Stringham said.
Society President Jim Chlebak and his family’s brass trio set the tone for the evening with an arrangement of music from the era. A list of Civil War veterans from Springfield has been placed on the wall, along with uniforms, medals and information on the town’s history with the underground railroad and the 3rd and 16th Vermont regiments.
Left: Maddi Macie and Makenna Goodrich model Civil War era dresses at
the First Night Reception at the Miller Museum in Springfield Thursday
evening. Top: Bob Swanson from Springfield looks at part of the Civil
War display. Middle: Tim Vanzandt from Springfield looks at part of the
Civil War display.
PAUL HOWE PHOTOS
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