Category Archives: Press Releases

Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 20th at 2 PM. You will want to join the Grafton Historical Society at 37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton, MA for this special presentation by one of our favorite performers, Judith Kalaora of History At Play. This new interactive show is sure to be of great interest and prove to be lots of fun.

Michael F. Goulet to be the Recipient of Grafton History Award

            The Grafton Historical Society is very pleased to present the 2024 Grafton History Award to Michael F. Goulet at this year’s Annual Meeting on Friday, May 3^rd at the Post Office Pub.  A life-long Grafton resident, he has helped a pronominal number of people in our town. In both his printing business and private life, he always strived for the best results. Mike has extended services to many self-publishing individuals at little cost throughout the years. He has been instrumental in helping to publish several books that have been supplied to the Grafton Historical Society, such as “A Grafton Chronicle” by Joe Kuras & Jayne Carroll Wilson, The History of Catholic Churches in Grafton, The History of Baseball in Grafton, by Joe Kuras, A History of the Polish American Community of Grafton by Stasia Obara Rawinski & Joe Kuras, and “ Zosia”, based on the journals of Stasia Obara Rawinski, edited and written by her daughter, Helen Rawinski Blazis. When Joe Kuras & Jayne Carroll Wilson approached him with an idea shared with Jayne by a college friend, Mike got busy printing “Four Men, Two Canoes, and a Dog Named Abe”. His dedication to the town does not stop there, his print shop has fulfilled numerous orders for wedding and shower invitations with no concern for a profit if they grew up in Grafton.

 He has a long history of volunteering to help coach Little League, Girl’s Softball, AAU Boy’s Baseball as well as serving as a certified umpire for baseball and softball when called upon. He has umpired at every level of baseball, including college. In softball he has umpired at all levels, including four times at the Little League Baseball’s Senior League Eastern Regional Tournament and the American Softball Association U18(under age18) level. Somehow, he found time to coach girls’ softball teams as well. Being a member of the Grafton High School Athletic Booster Club sprung from his dedication and service to the town’s school and sports programs. This led to a very special honor of signing one of the beams during the construction of the school. In 2014 he was voted into the Grafton High School Athletic Hall of Fame. As recent as 2023 he sought out the newest high school athletic director and walked away as the newly appointed Grafton High School Junior Varsety Basketball Coach.

Friends and family are invited to join us at The Post Office Pub, 6 Ray Street, North Grafton, in the atrium room at 5:30 pm on Friday, May 3^rd. A buffet meal of House Salad, Bread & Butter, Herb Roasted Chicken, Haddock, Steak Tips, Oven Roasted Potatoes, and a Mixed Vegetable Melody will be served at 6 PM. A selection of desserts will be offered to go with coffee as we prepare to move into our business meeting. A cash bar will be available throughout the evening for you to purchase your favorite beverage. After a brief business meeting, Mike will be recognized for his stellar career and dedication to the town of Grafton. For reservations please call 508-839-0000 and leave a contact number, email us at graftonmahistory@gmail.com or send $50.00 to Gratton Historical Society, P. O. Box 218, Grafton, MA 01519 with your name and contact information. Gluten free choices are available at this event as well.

The Grafton Historical Society is a 501©3 nonprofit organization that has collected historic artifacts and documents for preservation and research for all generations. Stop by to see what’s new at the museum Sunday or Tuesday (except holidays) from 2 – 4 or email graftonmahistory@gmail.com to set up a private appointment time.

Join Select Board members Ann Marie Foley & Mark Alimo, along with Bob Berger, Inspector of Buildings at the Grafton Historical Society to ask your questions about our town. A perfect opportunity to see the very special “Hidden Gem” housing some of Grafton’s most important artifacts, documents, textiles and maps. Our displays highlight the many fascinating stories that showcase this special town.

Add to the fun history of remembering the 1970’s by sharing your personal stories, photos, clothing items, and music so the groovy memories can be shared by all. Hard to believe this period is creeping into the category of “Historical Times”!

The Grafton Historical Society will be hosting a Holiday Tea at our museum location from 1 – 3 PM. Stop by to see some newly accessioned items and photos for you to identify. Then, sit down with friends and enjoy a nice cup of tea and pastries. Our museum is located at 71 Main Street, South Grafton, or catch up with the crew at the Grafton Community Barn at 37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton where our guides will display a variety of unusual items, documents and maps. Our newest ornament along with books about this amazing town will be available for sale. Sharing stories and artifacts is how we have fun. Come and join us from 12 – 3:30 PM.

The Grafton Lions Club at 68 Brigham Hill Road has made a generous offer to be the site of our next event being held on Saturday, November 4th from 2 – 4 PM. Thomas Kelleher will present a Power Point presentation on Vampires in Early New England. The question of why scores of people opened graves of their sweethearts, sons, or daughters, along with husbands and wives will perhaps not be what you expect. What terror would drive these people to take this extreme stance? How does Count Dracula fit into the picture? Answers to these and many other questions will be revealed.

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.