Author Archives: Nancy Therrien

Stop by the Grafton Historical Society to view some wonderful depictions of nature through the artist eye. Our featured artist, Rita Martin lived her live absorbed in the beauty of the world around her. She recognized the need to preserve open space for recreation and was a founding member of the Grafton Forest Association, now known as the Grafton Land Trust, creating their original logo. She served proudly on the Grafton Conservation Commision and became a member of the Grafton Historical Society. With total commitment she dedicated close to thirty years of her life to these causes, which is a great reason to dedicate this Art in Bloom to Rita. Her artistic talent emerged early as she followed a path studding at Rhode Island School of Design majoring in Costume Design. Rita actively created artwork up until the end of her life. Her works were in watercolor, pencil, ink, and conte crayon. Rita Martin passed away in Grafton on December 2, 2011, at 91 years of age. Rita’s contribution to the Grafton Land Trust has been memorialized by a 94-acre Rita Martin Preserve between Potter Hill and Brigham Hill. the Lake Ripple Conservation Area and Boat Ramp on Goddard Street, just off Brigham Hill Road honors Rita R. Martin for her 24 years of service to the Town of Grafton.

On Sunday, October 21st the society will start by discussing stories of our World War II heroes. Join us and share some of your family’s stories. Reservations are welcome but not necessary. Can’t join in person? Contact us at 509-839-0000 or graftonmahistory@gmail.com to arrange a Zoom session.

Join us next Sunday for an interesting discussion over coffee and doughnuts. We are excited to get this monthly program up and running. Week one will focus on World War I. We will share stories we have about Grafton residents Roger Warren and Joseph Sampson and encourage you to learn if any family members served that you can share stories about. Reservations are welcome at 508/839/0000. Can’t join in person but would like to participate? We could look into setting up zoom. Please email graftonmahistory@gmail.com to request that service.

The best vendors know about the successful show held on beautiful Grafton Common, Route 140, Grafton, MA each June and are lining up to show their products for your shopping pleasure. The gates open at 9 am and the show runs until 3 pm, rain or shine. As in the past we will have Antique Appraisals by Thomas Tomaszeck at $5.00 each. There will be plenty of Grafton related items to bring home found at the society’s table. Our admission fee of $5.00 goes directly to support the 501(c)3 non-profit organization for yearly expenses and interesting monthly programs. Food, music and demonstrations will be available. Our popular Silent Auction table will have some great baskets for you to bid on.

It is with great pride that we are hosting Little Bank Day on Sunday, May 21st from 1 – 4 pm at Mill Villages Park, 61 Main Street, South Grafton.

We are able to present this special occasion as a way to honor the generous donation from the builder’s son/grandson for upkeep of the exterior paint and skirt boards. The inside is a work in progress and will be able to give you a sneak peek at what it once was, A functioning bank for the people of South Grafton. The beautiful Iron grate that once served as a separation screen from the bank tellers, will be placed in a spot of importance close to its original location but not directly in the same spot. The story of the builders is fascinating, come find out for ourself.

A few mannequins will be placed for visual effect and we encourage you to have your photo taken with Elvis! He will be in the building.

Children’s activities such as story time, a story walk and hula hoop contest will be taking place. A assortment of items considered non-electric will be on display. Vintage cars should be on site as well but due to the weather that could make it prohibitive.

On Saturday, February 18th the Grafton Historical Society will host historian Joe Kuras presenting “The History of Baseball” at 2 PM in the Community Room at the Grafton Public Library. At one point there was a baseball field out behind this current library. As the Red Socks head back to MA, we can’t forget the contribution our town of Grafton made to “America’s Favorite Pastime”! Joe will amaze you with a power point presentation covering the story of a community whose love for this sport is still strong. Light refreshments will be served at this free presentation. A snow date of Saturday, February 25th has been set aside if needed. http://graftonhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The-History-of-Baseball.pdf

Place: Grafton Library Community Meeting Room

Co-Sponsors: Grafton Historical Society & Grafton Public Library

Most people have lots of historic fashion moments happening right in their own closets.  After all, fashion designers are always bringing styles back.  The Grafton Historical Society and Grafton Public Library are betting that some folks will enjoy wearing, talking about and learning more about retro fashion and what fashion tells us about the values of the people wearing it.  They are throwing a Retro Fashion in Your Closet event at 2:00-4:00 on Saturday Oct.  22 in the Community Room at the Grafton Public Library.  Participants are invited to raid their own closets to find some clothing that has retro elements.  Think high waisted jeans, frilly blouses, goth clothes, steampunk outfits, 1990s hip hop attire, gingham picnic shirts, etc.

Historian Dr. Charlotte Haller from Worcester State University will explain what style changes over the decades have said about the people wearing the clothing.  Dr. Haller will draw on her work as curator of the exhibit Pretty Powerful that was on display last year at the Worcester Historical Museum.  “One of the reasons why fashion designers may take inspiration from the past is that power that clothes have to define an era so compellingly.” Haller explains. 

“I’m really excited about the interactive nature of this fashion event,” Pam Hollander, Grafton Historic Society program planner, said.  “I love the idea that a mixture of younger and older people from the area will get together dressed up in clothing that references an earlier time period.”  Each of the style elements from earlier times can be associated with a certain aesthetic or even values and beliefs.”

The Grafton Historical Society Museum, at 71 Main Street, in South Grafton, has a collection of historic clothing that the public can come and take a look at during open museum hours.  There are garments worn by women and men, as well as some children’s clothing.  “Our clothing collection ranges from the early 1800’s through the mid 1900’s with some special attire like wedding gowns, cheerleading outfits, scouting uniforms,  very early bathing suits, along with one band uniform that is very patriotic” explains Nancy Therrien, President of the Grafton Historical Society.  “The average daily outfits reflected the moral culture of each time period.”

For more information about the event, contact Pam Hollander at pam.w.hollander@gmail.com or call the Historical Society at (508) 320-1173.

This program was funded in part by the Grafton Cultural Council, a local agency that is part of the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. www.massculturalcouncil.org/

Join the members who have discovered how much fun volunteering can be. On Saturday, June 18th we will hold our 53rd Annual Antique & Arts Show.

• Help collect entrance fee at gates
• Assist with services at food table
• Dress in costume and work at the Society table selling books or maps
• Setup 7:30 am or psckup at 2:30 – 3:30 (Some heavy lifting required)
• email graftonmahistory @gmail.com
• text or call Nancy 508-320-1173

Your volunteer service will help our mission of keeping Grafton History alive and well.

Join the Grafton Historical Society on Saturday, Junne 18th for the Annual Antique & Arts Show. Antique & Art vendors will line beautiful Grafton Common offering high quality Antiques and craft items for sale. Music and food will be available to add to the festive spirit. An admission of $5.00 goes to the society for maintenance and monthly programs.

On Sunday, April 3rd at 2 PM, the Grafton Historical Society will host author Claire Gem as she presents “Electricity” a romance novel with a supernatural twist. When your inspiration comes from a creepy old building on the grounds of Grafton State Hospital the story is sure to keep you in suspense. You can pre-order books that will be selling for $12.00 by calling 508-839-0000 or by emailing graftonmahistoy@gmail.com. http://graftonhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/image.png