Sunday, March 24, 2019, 2 pm at One Grafton Common Great Hall, actress and activist Lynne McKenney Lydick will bring abolitionist Abby Kelley Foster to life in her inspiring one-woman play, “Yours for Humanity — Abby”.  NOTE: the snow date of Sunday, March 24^th has been triggered due to the snow on the original date.

The play is based on the letters and speeches of Foster in 1854, during a time of many social and political differences in our country. Hear Foster  deliver her powerful orations against slavery and prejudice, which helped to change the views of many.

Early Abolitionist

Abby Kelley Foster (1811-1887) was a radical abolitionist, women’s rights activist. Her first National Woman’s Rights Convention in Oct of 1850 was held in Worcester, MA where she lived along with her husband Stephen and their daughter Alla.

A member of the Western Anti-Slavery Society, she dedicated her life to social justice, spending nearly 20 years traveling across the nation as a lecturer for the American Anti-Slavery Society. It was through the membership of this society that Foster knew Sarah and Ridgeway Haines, of Alliance, OH who were also dues paying members of the Western Anti-Slavery Society. She and her husband, Stephen S. Foster, also an abolitionist, would stay at the Haines House in OH when they were speakers.

The society’s annual meeting in the 1850s was held alternately in Salem, OH and Alliance, OH. The Haines land would temporarily house a tent that accommodated large crowds. A report from the Anti-Slavery Bugle said that 3,000 attended over a three-day weekend. 

See how one person can effect extraordinary changes in society by sheer determination, perseverance, and hard work. Abby’s House, a shelter for women opened in Worcester, MA in 1976 is named after this influential woman.

First of Four Programs in the “Rising Towards Unity” Series

The first in a four part series, “Yours for Humanity – Abby” has been funded by Mass Cultural Council. The sponsors of this four part series are: The Grafton Historical Society, The Grafton Public Library, and the Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton & Upton. The Grafton Public Library will coordinate this spring’s Community read with related books from March through April.

For further information please call 508-839-0000 or email us at graftonmahistory@gmail.com. Look for future information about our additional “Rising Towards Unity” programs in 2019:

• April 28 (Sunday) – The Life of Frederick Douglas
• June 2 (Sunday) – Women in the World of Frederick Douglas
• July 5 (Sunday) – Reading Frederick Douglas Together

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. http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/

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Saturday, August 18th the society invites you to visit from 12 – 4 pm at our new museum location, 71 Main Street, South Grafton for our Grand Opening. As well as viewing our great collection of artifacts there will be plenty to do. Mr. Ken Ethier will be out on the front lawn with a vast array of vintage tools. Just a short walk away, at the Mill Villages Park you’ll find Antique cars, vintage State Police vehicles, a story walk for the children, a scavenger hunt for families and adults along with Mrs. Joanne Beller making her wonderful Nantucket Baskets. The society will have a table of interesting items as well as “Images of Grafton” books and our bandstand ornaments. Stop by and join in the fun.

Here is a peek inside the new museum:

The Grafton Historical Society would like to invite you to be part of our Annual Meeting on Friday, April 27, 2018. We will gather for a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 at the Post Office Pub, 1 Ray Street, North Grafton. A buffet of Bourbon Glazed Beef Tips with Caramelized Onions, Holiday Stuffed Chicken, Assorted Vegetables, and Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes will be served. An assorted Dessert Platter along with coffee and tea will follow dinner. Price per person is $37.50. Gluten free options are available. 

Agenda

• 5:30 — hors d’oeuvres and cash bar
• 6:00 (-ish) –buffet dinner begins
• 7:00 — Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony
• 8:00 — Guest Speaker, Ranger Chuck Arning (emeritus)

Business Meeting and Awards

At 7:00 pm we will have our business meeting and election of new officers followed by the awards presentation. This year’s Grafton History Awards will be awarded to:

• The Grafton Lion’s Club for organizing, setting up, and hosting the beautiful Wine Tasting event that raised most of the funds needed to pay for moving the museum
• David L. Therrien for his colossal achievement at the South Grafton Public Library where he demo-ed, dried out, re-designed, re-floored, repaired, and led dozens of volunteers plus movers through the logistics of prepping, painting, and finally safely moving Grafton’s precious historical artifacts from the town house to the new museum. Non-stop, for months on end. Good thing he’s still young! 

… and a special award as well for the best crew ever of volunteers who made the move happen:  Dave Therrien, Don Clark, Rob Aberg, Scott Rossiter, Reid Blute, Kevin Powers, Dan Jones, Bernie Gardzina, Larry Berg, Barry Smith, Rob Fraser, Corinne Tortai, Evelyn Guillette, Pam Hollander, Julie Delong, Megan Webber, Rita Whiting, and two men from the American Legion, Stephen Gosselin, and Seth Mansur (hopefully not missing any!). Thanks to all of these wonderful folks, our museum will once again be a proud source of Grafton’s history.

Guest Speaker

Then at 8:00 pm our guest speaker, the much-loved local legend Ranger Chuck Arning will present “Development of Women’s Right to Vote”. For 25 years Ranger Chuck served with the Blackstone River Valley National Historic Park. During his career as National Park Service Ranger, he researched and brought to life many stories of the Blackstone Valley. Ranger Arning is one of the best storytellers around. You won’t be disappointed.

Questions?

For information on attending the annual meeting please call 508-839- 0000 or send us an email at graftonmahistory@gmail.com.

The spruced-up museum hosts Grafton Celebrates the Holidays on Sunday December 3, 2017 from 12 to 4 p.m. with TWO Frosty Stops

• 1 Grafton Common – the main museum
• 37 Wheeler Road – the Community Barn with a satellite display of popular artifacts

Cookies, punch, and coffee are served. Find out more about your town’s history, and see and touch real artifacts, textiles, shoes, and other items from Grafton’s past. Examine the thousands of vintage photographs taken in Grafton. If you’re interested, you can also look into helping out with research and other society activities aimed at preserving Grafton’s past.

Here are some photos of the event, click a picture and use arrow keys, or else start the auto-advance slideshow:

[Show slideshow]

50th Annual Antiques and Arts Fair

On Grafton Common, Saturday June 17th, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  (Rain or Shine**) — a full day of antiques, music, food, and much more!

The Grafton Historical Society announces the 50th annual Antiques and Arts Fair, to be held Saturday, June 17th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 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 very pleased to be hosting the 50th Antiques and Arts Fair in Grafton this year. 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 antiques and 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 traditional 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 12 and under are free. Look for discount coupons in local businesses and The Grafton News. For more information, call 508-839-0000 or drop us an email at graftonmahistory@gmail.com.

** RAIN DATE: in case of rain, the fair will be held at the Millbury Street Elementary School, 105 Millbury St, Grafton, MA.

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!