Author Archives: GraftonGreen

On Thursday April 13, 2017 at 7:00 pm, Rob Vella will present his interpretation of  Nathaniel Hawthrone’s “The Haunted Mind” at the South Grafton Community House, 25 Main St., South Grafton, MA.  a $7.00 donation is requested. Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Grafton Historical Society and The Grafton Public Library.

According to Wikipedia, the story tells of an intermediate space between sleeping and waking, and begins with the main character’s sudden waking from midnight slumber. Notable quotes:

• “In the depth of every heart, there is a tomb and a dungeon, though the lights, the music, and revelry above may cause us to forget their existence, and the buried ones, or prisoners whom they hide.”
• “She was your fondest Hope, but a delusive one.”

Velella is an independent scholar and playwright specializing in American literature of the published articles and presented academic papers on figures such as Margaret Fuller, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Walt Whitman. Additionally, he has lectured at various historical sites, libraries, and colleges from Pennsylvania to Maine on the topic of American literature. He also performs dramatic readings in character for several literary figures, including the young Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe, and Hawthorne.

UPDATE: snowstorm in February caused rescheduling of this event – note new date!

Come see Walter Buckingham Sunday April 2, 2017 at 2:00 pm at the South Grafton Community House. As a Staff Musician in Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA, Walter is able to combine his historical troubadour/bard and story-teller role with an education program that combines geography, history, and social studies.

Adept with many rare and unusual antique musical instruments, his repertoire includes not only music performance but also the history and evolution of instruments and their international origins. Learn more at Walter Buckingham’s website: (link)

Details and directions: South Grafton Community House (click for map), 25 Main St., South Grafton, MA.  $7 donation requested. Refreshments will be served.

Questions?  Call (508) 839-0000 or email graftonmahistory@gmail.com

Come see beautiful floral interpretations of Grafton Artifacts from the collection of The Grafton Historical Society by the Grafton Garden Club & Historical Society members. The event will be held at the Grafton Historical Society Museum in the old Town Hall at 1 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA.

• Members only GALA PREVIEW: Saturday Sept 17, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm with hors d’oeuvres and wine
• PUBLIC EVENT: Sunday Sept 18, 2016 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Membership in either organization allows attendance at the GALA PREVIEW, Saturday Sept. 17, 2016 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This event is sponsored by Grafton Liquors.

Arrangements:

• Elizabeth Weeks: Wedding Gown of Zosia Linek Obara (donor: Stasia Rawinski)
• Helen Blazis: fan
• Chrystal Paul: Scarlet Jacket
• Fran Bramhall: colorful thread on spindles; Fisherville Mill cloth (donors: Dan Finn; Stasia Rawinski)
• Juliann Cormier: Blue Willow Bowl
• Carolyn Jakubiak: fire equipment
• Nancy Therrien: stars and stripes band outfit
• Joan Avato: plate with crabapple motif
• Robin Cote: Victorian skirt and blouse (donor: Nicholson – Anderson)
• Heidi Fowler: Alice in Wonderland book (donor Maroney)
• Evelyn Guillette: Patch work quilt (donor Deschenes)
• Jeanne Bolivar: Nelson Family Table

The programs for Fall 2016 through Summer 2017 are posted now on the Programs page. Come out and enjoy Grafton and history!

The Grafton Historical Society announces that the 48th annual Antiques and Arts Fair will be held Saturday, June 18th, from 9 AM to 3 PM, on Grafton Common. There will be dozens of antiques and collectibles booths, music, food concessions, and artisans demonstrating their crafts, among numerous other attractions. 

“We are so pleased to be bringing the Antiques and Arts Fair to Grafton again this year and we invite everyone to come and share in this wonderful annual tradition,” said Nancy Therrien, Grafton Historical Society President. “Whether you’re searching for treasures, learning about crafts, or enjoying some food and music, it’s sure to be a fun day.”

In addition to the many vendors displaying their wares, there will be an appraisal table where, for a small fee, visitors can learn the value of their antiques and family heirlooms. Artisans also will be on hand providing demonstrations on basket making and other crafts. As a backdrop to the festivities, Kelly Clark and his band will entertain the crowd with live music on the bandstand.

Admission is $5 for adults, children are free.

Directions to Grafton Common:  Google Maps, free parking available around the common including the town lot behind the library on Upton St.

RAIN DATE: in case of rain, the fair will be held at the Millbury Street Elementary School, 105 Millbury St, Grafton, MA. For more information, call 508-839-0000 or drop us an email at graftonmahistory@gmail.com.

Grafton History Day Celebration— A fun family day on the Common, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Celebrating Grafton’s incorporation along with the Grafton Garden Club Plant Sale.

Here are some pictures from the day’s events:

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Numerous historically-themed presentations were on the Common from 9-2 pm on Saturday, May 14, 2016:

• The lost Oak Street tablet – now rediscovered
• Linda Casey signed the new book, “Images of Grafton”
• Re-dedication of Grafton’s Tercentenary Markers (more info: link)
• Civil War re-enactments
• Nantucket basket making demonstrations
• Tools of bygone years
• Food
• Music
• Pony Rides from Ridge Valley Stables in Grafton (link)

Kevin gave an engaging talk that went through the purpose, history, and some politics of stone walls — all the while keeping his hands busy building a small wall on the table with side comments on what he was doing. The wall and the talk finished at the same time. There were a lot of questions about the stone walls in Grafton, and his assessment is that they were no different from the ones built throughout New England, with some fine examples on Wheeler Road right outside the Community Barn where the event of his talk was held.

Pictures from Kevin Gardner’s talk:

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Original Announcement:

Kevin Gardner presents “Discovering New England Stone Walls”, Friday April 8 at 7:00 pm at the Community Barn, 37 Wheeler Road (Directions). This event is Co-sponsored by The Grafton Garden Club.

Kevin touches on the history, technique, stylistic development, and aesthetics of stone walls. Author of “The Granite Kiss”, he will explain why New England came to acquire its thousands of miles of stone walls. Watch as he assembles a stone wall on the table in front of you.

$5 donation.

Linda Casey, along with many people from South Grafton, Grafton, and North Grafton, has created a new book about Grafton’s history. It will be available May 2, 2016 and costs $21.99.

You can pre-order the book NOW to ensure you get one before they are sold out. See the book page for more details.

Author: Linda Marean Casey

Judith Kalaora of History At Play presents “Chocolate 101: A brief History of Chocolate”, Sunday March 13, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grafton Community Barn. Co-sponsored by The Grafton Garden Club & The Grafton Public Library.

Nine out of ten people love chocolate…and the tenth person is lying! All the questions you’ve ever had, such as where it comes from, how it’s made, why it tastes so good, and what it says about your personality will be answered. We will sample (i.e., you get to taste!) some of the best chocolates from the world over. (click here for more details)

Date:  2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 13, 2016

Location: Grafton Community Barn, 37 Wheeler Road, Grafton, MA (directions)

Cost: $7.00

EVENT CANCELLED – unfortunately Bill is sick and cannot sing Friday night

Join us Friday February 5, 2016 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. to celebrate the music of Frank Sinatra, featuring songs from the 1950s sung by vocalist Bill Zolli. Bill is a member of the Boston Area Cabaret Association and the Sudbury-based  theater group the Senior Strutters. He will be presenting Frank’s best and most romantic songs. Come recapture the days when girls swooned over old “Blue Eyes.” Cost: $5.

Location: Congregational Church of Grafton, 30 Grafton Common, in Grafton, MA (map). Snow date is February 12, 2016.