Grafton Historical Society

Doing some late spring cleaning? The Grafton Historical Society is now accepting antiques in good condition for consignment at the Antiques and Arts Fair. A fun way to combine nostalgia with a pleasant day on Grafton Common, the Fair will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015 from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Consignment fees help support Historical Society programs. Please call the Society at 508-839-0000 or email us at graftonmahistory@gmail.com for details or to arrange for drop-off or pick-up. The museum will be open Sundays from 2 – 4 PM leading up to the Fair.

First Lady Dolley Madison

UPDATE: see event photos

At 2pm, Sunday, March 29th you’ll want to join us at the South Grafton Community House, 25 Main St, South Grafton (click for directions). The engaging and talented Patricia Perry will present “Dolley Madison Remembers”, a enacted by the wife of the fourth President of the United States herself. Dolley will tell stories of friends and foes, personal memories of George Washington, Francis Scott Key and more. She will entertain you and regale you with little known stories of the famous and infamous. A $5 donation is requested. Refreshments will be provided.

Patricia Perry of Sneak Peek Productions from Rhode Island, is a professional historical interpreter, a member of the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums and the former Chairperson for the Blackstone Valley Interpreter Network. 

At 2 p.m. on Sunday January 11, 2015 at the South Grafton Community House located at 25 Main Street, South Grafton, John Root, musician and educator will present his show “Popular Music of the Gaslight Era”. Songs such as “I Love You Truly,” “Take Me Out To The Ballgame,” “Bicycle Built For Two” and “The Sidewalks of New York” offer insight into customs and values of American culture at the turn of the 20th century. Audiences also learn how our country’s multicultural diversity created unique musical styles that continue to delight and inspire. We’re sure you’ll want to sing along and then share memories after this enjoyable performance. You can see news from a previous performance here.

A donation of $5 is welcome. Refreshments will be served.

Questions? Call the Grafton Historical Society at (508) 839-0000 or visit John Root’s website. A snow date of January, 18, 2015 is in place in case of inclement weather (watch this space or call for up-to-the-minute info).

Find out more about your town’s place in history! The Grafton Historical Society Museum at One Grafton Common will be open on Sunday December 7, 2014 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM for “Grafton Celebrates the Holidays.”

This cross-town event is sponsored by dozens of local organizations, churches, the TV station, fire stations, and businesses participating – it amounts to a town-wide open house across town with a craft fair from 10-3, events from 12-4, and the tree lighting at 4:30 (with a special guest arriving by fire truck!).

Official event information is in The Grafton News, including a special event insert in the December 3rd edition of the newspaper. An online version of the insert is posted on Grafton’s town website.

The museum will be staffed by docents ready to put you into what amounts to a time machine to turn back the clock and see Grafton through the eyes of history. Refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.

Click: Directions to One Grafton Common

Update: see photos from the event!

Grafton Historical Society  invites you to meet Deborah Samson Gannett  portrayed by actress Judith Kalaora Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the South Grafton Community House.

Deborah Samson Gannett  was a woman who disguised herself as a man in order to serve in the Continental  Army during the American Revolution. Using the name Robert Shurtlieff, she was the first woman to enlist, to fight and to be honorably discharged from the American Military.

Travel back in time and experience Mrs. Deborah Samson Gannett’s  “Revolution of Her Own” through interactive stories and authentic colonial attire.

The South Grafton Community House is located at 25 Main Street South Grafton, MA (click here for directions). Questions? Call 508-839-0000 to learn more.

Donation: $5.

The 47th annual Grafton Antiques & Arts Fair will be held Saturday June 21, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Grafton Common. The fair will feature:

• Dozens of exhibitors
• Live music from the Kelly Clark Jazz Band
• Demonstrations
  • Silhouette art by Carol Lebeaux
  • Furniture painting by Signature Finishers
• Appraisals
• Food concession from Bushel & Peck Deli

Admission is $5.00, and there is a $1.00 discount with a coupon. Coupons are available at North Main Street Antiques, 68 N. Main St. in North Grafton and also in the Grafton News:

Proceeds benefit the programs of the Grafton Historical Society. The location is on Grafton Common on Route 140 in Grafton. Put this in your GPS:  1 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA (rain location: North St. Elementary School at 60 North St., a few blocks up North Street). Free parking is available all around the Common, plus side streets.

For more information, please call (508) 839-0000.

MAP

Click here to generate driving directions

The annual meeting and dinner was held April 25, 2014 at the museum.  Nancy Therrien and Carolyn Jakubiak were elected President and Vice President, respectively. See more on the photos page!

Come attend an evening reception featuring floral arrangements created as interpretations of Grafton artifacts from the Historical Society’s collection. The gala preview is Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 7:00-9:00 PM at the Grafton Historical Society Museum, 1 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA. Last year’s event was well attended, see here for photos.

There will be wine tasting and hors d’oevres Saturday evening.  Arrangements will again be on display at the museum on Sunday afternoon April 13 from 2:00-4:00 PM at the museum. A collaborative program with the Grafton Garden Club. $5 members / $10 non-members. Sponsored by Grafton Liquors, Inc.

Let’s Go to the Hop!

UPDATE: event photos

Everyone’s invited to take a trip back to the carefree days of poodle skirts and saddle shoes! On Saturday, March 15, 2014 the Grafton Historical Society will hold a classic high school sock hop at the Grafton Municipal Center gymnasium, 30 Providence Road, Grafton, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. A live DJ will spin all your favorites from the 1950s and 60s from Elvis to Little Richard and everything in between. Trivia contest, sing alongs, entertainment. Whether you come to dance, or to stroll down memory lane, or just to groove on the music, it’s sure to be a rocking good time for dancers and non-dancers alike! Vintage attire optional. Cash bar (beer and wine), soda fountain, pizza, snacks. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling 508-839-0000 or emailing graftonmahistory@gmail.com.