Author Archives: Nancy Therrien

Historian and folklorist, Professor John Horrigan will be a guest speaker on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Grafton Public Library, Grafton MA. Mr. Horrigan has written numerous books covering many topics. He is active in Revolutionary War re-enactments, getting a chance to live the history that he loves so much. Mr. Horrigan is host and co-creator of the five-time Emmy award winning television show The Folklorist. The show is co-sponsored by Grafton Public Library and is free of charge.

Join us at the Grafton Historical Society Museum at 71 Main Street, South Grafton for a special event, “History” in Bloom. The members of Grafton Garden Club are joining us to host a display of several wedding bouquets to compliment the amazing wedding gowns from our collection. Some dating as far back as the 1700’s.

Join us here at the Grafton Historical Society, 71 Main St., South Grafton, on Sunday September 21, 2025 for coffee and a group discussion on the 1920’s. If you have any clothing items from this period, feel free to bring or wear them to show off and talk about during our discussion.

The decision has been made to change locations away from the outdoor Common area. Join the Grafton Historical Society as we gather at 60 North Street, North Street Elementary School, on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 9AM – 3PM to bring you a well-known and highly respected Antique & Arts Fair. Your $5.00 entrance fee goes to support the 501(c)3 Grafton Historical Society. Brouse through a large selection of vendors while looking for that perfect gift for yourself, a friend, or family member. Relax for a while and listen to the music of the Kelly Clark Trio from 11 – 2. Have a snack from Paradise BBQ Food Truck. Stop off and see what we have on our Silent Auction Table or spend some time watching Elaine Blake do her chair caning and JoAnn Beller weave her wonderful Nantucket Baskets. Have one of your antiques appraised for $5.00 for each item. For large items, Tom can work from a clear photograph. Mark your calendar and bring a friend.

On Friday, May 2nd, the Grafton Historical Society will have the Annual Business Meeting at the Post Office Pub, 6 Ray Street, North Grafton, MA. Beginning at 5:30, guests will gather to socialize before the meal of House Salad, Rolls & Butter, Herb Roasted Chicken, Oven Baked Haddock, Green Beans, and Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes, served at 6:15 PM. A cash bar will be available throughout the evening. Coffee & Tea will be served as the short business portion begins. Around 7 PM the President will present a report of the past year, followed by the annual financial report of the Treasurer, leading into a presentation of a special artifact by our Co-Curator. At 8 PM, we will recognize Jayne Carroll Wilson and Joeseph E. Kuras with awards for an outstanding commitment to keep Grafton’s history alive. Whenever and wherever they could find time to serve you would see them volunteering for special duties. Their commitment culminated in a book about the history of the town from our beginning as a community in the wilderness to the current day community that has grown into a town to be valued for keeping that small town charm. All are welcome to honor Joe or Jayne. You can register with the Grafton Historical Society by sending $50.00 to cover the meal, taxes & tip to Grafton Historical Society, P. O. Box 218, Grafton, MA 01519, texting 508-320-1173 or calling 508-839-0000. Please include your name and a contact number. Gluten free choices are available by calling the Pub.

Stop by Mill Village Park, 61 Main Street (Route 122 A) South Grafton on Sunday, April 27th from 3 – 5 PM to visit the Grafton Branch Bank that served the Mill workers and their families over the years. We will have the bank open for you to view the interior. Books about Grafton History as well as early Grafton maps will be for sale. Outside is where the fun is for children. We will have free pony rides and a Storytime activity with a special treat for participating, or have a special design put on your face for the day with non-allergenic face paint. Stop by the Society table to see some non-electric items and hear stories about Grafton’s history and how our town had a link to fame in more than one instance. The Society building at 71 Main Street will be open from 2 – 4 PM. Drop by to see some of the larger items like our Victrola (ask to hear the volume control), Grafton Center and the Mill Dioramas, and our Wedding gown collection that is currently on display.

Andrew Noone brings to life a murder and scandal that shook New England and reverberated for decades to come. This meticulously researched, elegantly told tale transports you back to the time of the nation’s founding, and the volatile mix of cultural, economic and political forces that clashed during that critical era. It’s a story about love and money, power and privilege, crime and eventually the ultimate punishment. Bathsheba Spooner paints a picture of what life was really like back in the eighteenth century, during the transition from colonial life to independence, by focusing on the travails of a storied family, a wealthy couple, and a group of soldiers whose lives intersected.

The Grafton Historical Society would like to extend an invitation to join us for a Special Valentine Tea on Sunday, February 23rd. This free program will run from 2 – 4 PM. Our table will be set with linen tablecloths and fine china, highlighting our delicious homemade pastries. We always include gluten free and sugar free desserts, cheese and fruit. The room is abuzz with lively conversation in no time at all as our guests engage in friendly conversation with new friends and old. Our wonderful collection of valentines will be on display, including the first valentines to be produced in the USA, by Grafton resident Jotham Taft and his wife. Why would it be that someone would want to conceal their identity on such a beautiful product? Hear the story and see the original cards.

We have canceled the show for Sunday, February 9th since the snow offers some concerns for our guests. The Grafton Historical Society is hosting the Grafton Garden Club at 71 Main Street, South Grafton, MA, as they present floral arrangements to accompany the artwork of Grafton’s Carolyn Kinloch Winkler on Saturday, February 8th and Sunday, February 9th, 1 – 4 PM. Using her own nature photography, Carolyn’s talent is highlighted in each interpretive painting. Of course the talent doesn’t stop with her display, the talented members of Grafton’s Garden Club get to shine this weekend as well. Join us for this free program and capture a taste of spring.

When a business is into Fabric Art, we take notice, and for new ideas that originated in history the Society was a perfect place to visit. Alice Mask, owner of The Threaded Needle in North Grafton, did just that. We both agreed that together we could make an impact on history and Art and the board of Directors agreed. It is with this goal in mind, that a collaboration has begun. Alice has chosen one of the beaded handbags that previously belonged to the Usher family, of Bruce Street. It will be very exciting to see the process unfold and become available for sale.