Recent Events
Annual Art Show & Sale Programs
On November 15 the Hopkinton Historical Society held two programs in conjunction with its Annual Art Show & Sale; a curator’s talk with Parker Potter, and an art program with textile artist Marcy Schepker.Parker Potter, who has curated the Tomorrow’s Masterpieces Annual Art Show & Sale for the past two years, talked about the choices he made in putting together this year’s Art Show & Sale. His premise is that when you start with wonderful works of art, the connections between them are multi-layered and help create a cohesive art show. However, it was certainly apparent during the talk that Parker’s skilled eye played a large role in creating the wonderful display of local talent.
Following Parker’s talk, textile artist Marcy Schepker presented a fun and informative workshop on needle felting. Twelve participants made pictures from wool fiber to take home. Marcy is a juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, and often demonstrates needle felting at the annual Sunapee Craftsmen’s Fair with a large tapestry, all needle felted in colored wools, inviting passers-by to add to the tapestry.
Parker Potter discusses the works included in this year’s Annual Art Show & Sale.
Carol Hooper, Ed Ricker, Ruth Ricker, Audrey Gardner, and Carol Duston display their needle felted masterpieces.Cemetery Walk
For one weekend in October, 12 early residents of Hopkinton came to life as they told their stories during the Hopkinton Historical Society’s Cemetery Walk through the Old Hopkinton Cemetery. Led by Undertaker Jeff Dearborn, we heard about a young man who thrice sailed to Africa, a belle of Hopkinton whose husband was a gambler, and a businessman who prospered because of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Town-wide interest in local history was clear when more than 150 people attended the Cemetery Walk on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, but was even more apparent on Sunday, when more than 60 people showed up in the snow and rain to hear the early stories.
The Hon. Horace Chase and his son, Horace Gair Chase (portrayed by Dick Hesse and Stephen Lajoie), were two of Hopkinton’s early residents included in this year’s Cemetery Walk in the Old Hopkinton Cemetery.
Playing the harmonica, Undertaker Jeff Dearborn led the way for visitors through the Cemetery.Wagon installation
How many men does it take to move a wagon to the second floor of the Historical Society? Apparently, at least seven! In September the “Hopkinton & Concord” wagon made its final move from the Firehouse in Hopkinton Village to the Hopkinton Historical Society, where it will now remain on permanent exhibit. The wagon has “Hopkinton & Concord” painted on both sides of the body, but its exact purpose, age, and maker are still unknown. According to the experts we have asked, it could have been an express wagon, a spring wagon, or a wagon to carry people and cargo. It could have been made in
the 1870s or the early 1900s, and its maker could have been Abbot-Downing of Concord, Studebaker of Indiana, Stephenson of New York, or an unknown local wagon maker.
We would like to thank Carl and Glenna Goodman for donating the wagon to the Historical Society; Carl, Tom O’Donnell, and Lee Wilder for their many hours spent restoring the wagon; and Tom, Lee, Jeff Dalzell, Don Lane, Derk Mitchell, Greg Thesing, and Bob Wilson for successfully dismantling and then reassembling the wagon in its new home.
Many thanks to (clockwise from upper left) Jeff Dalzell, Don Lane, Lee Wilder, Derk Mitchell, Greg Thesing, Bob Wilson, and Tom O’Donnell for their Herculean efforts moving the wagon to the second floor of the Historical Society.
Past Special Events
March 2008
Annual Meeting a Big Success!
More than 50 people filled the second floor gallery of the Long Memorial Building for the Antiquarian Society’s Annual Meeting and Social held on March 29, 2008. During the business portion of the meeting we welcomed the new officers and board members, and thanked out-going Board President Kathy Thesing and Past-President Carol Duston for their many contributions. We also heard updates on upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, and voted to have next year’s annual report available on line, rather than in hard copy.
However, the real draw of the evening was the program: Hopkinton Cogitations, featuring Rose Hanson, Ted Story, and Robert Houston. The program was the second in an occasional series of talks about Hopkinton given (mostly) by those born and raised in town. It was a treat to hear about how things used to be in Hopkinton – from the dairy farms to the pranks they used to pull! Following the program everyone enjoyed the wonderful selection of appetizers, desserts, and wine that were brought by the attendees.
December 2007
Holiday Program
In a December 2007 program entitled “Banjos, Bones, and Ballads,” New Hampshire folksinger Jeff Warner entertained us with traditional songs rich in local history that he played on an impressive collection of instruments including the banjo, concertina, guitar, spoons, bones and jaw harp. This program was made possible through a grant from the NH Humanities Council.
November 2007
Members Only Home Tour
In November 2007 architectural historian Ned Pratt led an enthusiastic group of 25 on a tour of the historic Dr. John Currier home, c. 1790. The home, located next door to NHAS at 286 Main Street, is owned today by Ivan and Veva Mahoney. The tour was so well received we hope to make it an annual event. Our thanks to Ivan and Veva for so generously opening their home for our fundraising event.
August 2007
A Visit With Otto Heino
In August 2007 we were fortunate to have famed potter Otto Heino speak to Antiquarian Society members on his philosophy of life and work.