Category Archives: Press Releases

Inspired by 19th century Retail Advertisements, Grafton artist Charlotte Ecker will teach Print Making on Paper at the South Grafton Community House, October 24th at 2 PM. Registration is required by calling 508-839-0000 or emailing graftonmahistory@gmail.com. A ten dollar fee covers materials provided by artist.http://graftonhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Retail-Advertisement-Poster.pdf

Join in this special event to remember and honor our heroes. On Sunday, September 26th, 2 pm at the South Grafton Community House 24-27 Main Street, South Grafton the stories told by our guest speaker, Christian de Marken will remind you what bravery looks like. See the American flag sewn by his Belgium mother in her darkened bedroom awaiting it’s reveal once the American’s were victorious. Hear the story of his American father’s capture. Christian will complete the story with his own military service stories as a translator for USA forces in France.

What is your families military history? You are welcome to share those stories as well.

The Paintings of Bernard Corey in Floral Design

With a deep love of nature and a devotion to plein air painting, Bernard Corey, an impressionist artist from Grafton, has rendered the seas of Rockport and the bucolic farms of New England in a sensitive and tranquil style.

Ten of his paintings have been selected to be exhibited in the Grafton Historical Society Museum, 71 Main Street in South Grafton, beginning on September 11. The paintings are on loan from the collection of the Corey family.

On September 11, the GHS Museum will host Art in Bloom. Corey’s ten paintings on exhibit will be interpreted in floral arrangements by members of the Grafton Garden Club: Helen Blazis, Fran Branhall, Theresa Dindinger, Ava Fantasia, Evelyn Guillette, Carolyn Jakubiak, Chrystal Paul, Jessica Reese, Elizabeth Weeks, and Rita Zeffert.

A Gala Preview with wine and hors d’oeuvres is planned for members of the Grafton Historical Society and the Grafton Garden Club on September 11, 2021, from 7 -9 pm. The wine is generously provided by Five Star Liquors of No. Grafton. Support is also provided by Savers Bank. A $5 donation is suggested. For reservations, please contact 508-839-0000 or graftonmahistory@gmail.com .

Art in Bloom is open to the public on Sunday, September 12, from 1 – 4.

Dr. Frank H. Clapp & Staff, Grafton, MA 1918

As we look back at the 1918 Influenza it seems like we are reliving that historical pandemic in today’s world. It came without warning much as it did for today’s cities and rural areas, but in 1918 it also affected the military spread throughout the world. This story, written by society member Elizabeth Weeks was posted in the Grafton News as a remembrance of the 100th anniversary of that impact full event. The similarities are striking. http://graftonhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/1918-flu-outbreak-pdf.pdf

Joseph Sampson

The Grafton Historical Society wants to hear from you about your experiences during the coronavirus pandemic. The Society is collecting stories of what it is like living through the pandemic and images of how life has changed. The Society plans to create an archive and needs contributions from Grafton residents.

What is your life like right now? What experiences are you having? What are you seeing that is different? Please send your stories, personal accounts, and photos to: graftonmahistory@gmail.com  If you have questions, please call or text 508-320-1173. The Society’s website is graftonhistoricalsociety.org.

Due to the pandemic outbreak of Covid-19 the June 20th, 53rd Annual Antique & Arts Fair will be canceled. It turned out to be very short notice for advertising this event. Our dealers already have other events in the fall so we will try again next June.

Due to the spread of the Corona virus this event had to be canceled. We will notify everyone when it is rescheduled. LWV – Shrewsbury – Grafton along with the Grafton Historical Society – Brings You – “I Now Pronounce You – Lucy Stone” on Sunday, March 29th at 2 PM. The fiery performance by Judith Kalaora has received accolades from journalists, actors, and journalists alike and was featured on the WGBH Forum, a series of lectures and performances selected by WGBH to be streamed online. Now in honor of the 2020 centennial celebration for Women’s Suffrage, Lucy Stone travels to Grafton, MA, to the Great Hall at One Grafton Common, to tell he incredible story. The 60 minute presentation is suitable for any ages. Followed by a Q&A session. This event if free. For more information call 508-839-0000 or email questions to graftonmahistory@gmail.com. “This program is supported in part by a grant from the Grafton Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.” www.massculturalcouncil.org/.

Due to the spread of the Corona virus we had to cancel this event. At the appropriate time we will reschedule. Children ages 6 – 10 are invited to join the Grafton Historical Society at the Grafton Community Barn, 37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton, on Sunday, March 22nd at 10 am as we step back into the 18th century. Professor Laura Ziman will help you discover the many similarities and differences between daily life and routines of children today and children three hundred years ago. Participants will learn about preparing an authentic colonial breakfast of scone, biscuits, homemade strawberry jelly, and homemade butter. Come away with a sense of lives lived ling ago, how children’s lives have changed through time, and what may still be the same. Call 508-839-0000 or email graftonmahistory@gmail.com to reserve at spot for your child. Reservations at $5.00 per child should be made by March 15th.

The Grafton Historical Society and the Grafton Public Library invite you to join them at 2 pm on Sunday, January 5^th at the Grafton Community Barn, 37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton, MA. Presenter Christopher Daley will use his power point presentation to share his research and travels investigating the conspirators who pulled off this tragic event.

Mr. Daley will focus on Lincoln’s mission to keep America united and how that was challenged, even to the point of death. He will detail the events that took the life of one of America’s greatest presidents, follow the trail of the perpetrators, and conclude with the trial itself.

Mr. Daley has been lecturing throughout New England for 25 years. He is currently teaching history at Silver Lake Regional School System in Kingston, MA. He holds a BA & MA from Bridgewater State University in Political Science. As the past President of the Pembroke Historical Society, the Chairman of the Pembroke Historical Society, a docent for the John Alden House Historical Site and Coordinator of Educational Outreach he has had the opportunity to author many articles as well as do consulting for the Travel Channel’s program “Timetraveling with Brian Unger”. 

This program is free of charge. Light refreshments will be served.