Newsletters
Spring 2022 Newsletter
Society News
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Brookfield Town House 200 Years of History Celebrated
Marilou MacLean was the guest speaker who guided us through the interesting history of Brookfield's Town House. The first town meeting was held there in 1823 and every year since, except during the covid pandemic. Historic preservation to the building is on-going. All the windows were repaired and reglazed, and the plaster repaired. Looking forward, the original stencils will be repainted and floors redone. Following her talk, we celebrated with the membership and surrounding community, the end of the WBHS year with a custom cake, ice cream social, and cider.
September's Meeting on "Winter Gardening"
Speakers Jean Adams and FrankFrazier discussed the work and expense of hydroponic gardens, and how to cut shoots from tomato plants to keep over the winter months.
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August "Show & Tell"
August's Annual Meeting members voted in two new officers: Susan Raban, Director (one-year to complete the late Patricia Golden's term) and Amber Marcoux, Assistant Treasurer for a two year term.
Following the meeting, the membership shared their precious objects. The following pictures are a representative sample. From top left to right: a 1906 Postcard book, a medical leather hearing aid device, and a plate from the B&M railroad restaurant. Second row from left to right: a leather box made in Kenny Bunk shoe shop in Milton, a collection of butter churns, and a patent for a metal frog lamp (in background). Third row left to right: a handmade Shaker doll from Canterbury (a family member was a Sister there), and a blood letting instrument from a barber's shop, and for fun a member's guinea pig. A lively discussion about the objects was had and members were eager to see each object up close.
Following the meeting, the membership shared their precious objects. The following pictures are a representative sample. From top left to right: a 1906 Postcard book, a medical leather hearing aid device, and a plate from the B&M railroad restaurant. Second row from left to right: a leather box made in Kenny Bunk shoe shop in Milton, a collection of butter churns, and a patent for a metal frog lamp (in background). Third row left to right: a handmade Shaker doll from Canterbury (a family member was a Sister there), and a blood letting instrument from a barber's shop, and for fun a member's guinea pig. A lively discussion about the objects was had and members were eager to see each object up close.
"A SPLASH FROM THE PAST"
WAKEFIELD-BROOKFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
From the beginning, Wakefield and Brookfield's lakes, their tributaries and outflows have been of vital importance. They provided food, needed water for farming, power for industries such as mills and ice harvesting, and a draw for vacationers. On Tuesday, July 11 Jon Balanoff and Jim Schimansky from AWWA (Acton-Wakefield Watersheds Alliance) will take us on a journey from the historic roles of the area lakes, starting in 1823, to the importance of the lakes today and in the future. They will share with us the necessity of keeping the watersheds and lakes healthy for the benefit of all in the community. There are even more threats to these beautiful resources which we all need to be aware of. After all, the lake real estate is the backbone of the area's tax base and that affects everyone.
AWWA has an impressive record of working in the local waters to improve water quality, to help avoid invasive species from taking a destructive hold, and educating people on what endangers our lakes. They run a Youth Conservation Corp which works with land owners to control erosion in order to preserve water quality. In addition, they provided middle school science programs for 6th and 7th graders so that the next generation will be aware of the issues facing the lakes going forward.
This entertaining and informative program will be held at the "Little Red School House", 2581 Wakefield Road in the Historic District of Wakefield, starting at 7:00PM. After the program there will be a social time with snacks where you will have an opportunity to speak personally with Jon and Jim. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information and directions, call Jennifer at 603-522-6713.
WAKEFIELD-BROOKFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
From the beginning, Wakefield and Brookfield's lakes, their tributaries and outflows have been of vital importance. They provided food, needed water for farming, power for industries such as mills and ice harvesting, and a draw for vacationers. On Tuesday, July 11 Jon Balanoff and Jim Schimansky from AWWA (Acton-Wakefield Watersheds Alliance) will take us on a journey from the historic roles of the area lakes, starting in 1823, to the importance of the lakes today and in the future. They will share with us the necessity of keeping the watersheds and lakes healthy for the benefit of all in the community. There are even more threats to these beautiful resources which we all need to be aware of. After all, the lake real estate is the backbone of the area's tax base and that affects everyone.
AWWA has an impressive record of working in the local waters to improve water quality, to help avoid invasive species from taking a destructive hold, and educating people on what endangers our lakes. They run a Youth Conservation Corp which works with land owners to control erosion in order to preserve water quality. In addition, they provided middle school science programs for 6th and 7th graders so that the next generation will be aware of the issues facing the lakes going forward.
This entertaining and informative program will be held at the "Little Red School House", 2581 Wakefield Road in the Historic District of Wakefield, starting at 7:00PM. After the program there will be a social time with snacks where you will have an opportunity to speak personally with Jon and Jim. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information and directions, call Jennifer at 603-522-6713.
A Quilter's Journey
Talk given by Susan Raban
June 13, 2023
June 14, 2023
Susan Raban, of Brookfield,NH, gave a talk about her 40-year life journey to become a master quilter. She brought with her a dozen quilts to show all the various designs she’s made over the years, the stories behind each quilt, quilting patterns and techniques, her best tips learned along the way, and historical quilts. Many friends from the quilting community joined our gathering and leant their perspectives as well. The meeting was well attended. The beauty of the quilts was breath taking.
Susan Raban, of Brookfield,NH, gave a talk about her 40-year life journey to become a master quilter. She brought with her a dozen quilts to show all the various designs she’s made over the years, the stories behind each quilt, quilting patterns and techniques, her best tips learned along the way, and historical quilts. Many friends from the quilting community joined our gathering and leant their perspectives as well. The meeting was well attended. The beauty of the quilts was breath taking.
May 24, 2023
Our LOI (Letter of Intent) has been approved for submission for a Great Application to LCHIP. The application is due at the end of June.
Our June meeting speaker is Susan Raban, of Brookfield, NH. She has been quilting for over 40 years. She, along with her friend and partner, Anne Gallo of Chelmsford, MA owned and operated "Yankee Quilts". They offered quilting classes and lectures throughout Europe, the Cayman Islands and all over the United States. Their quilts have been featured in the following magazines: Architectural Digest, Country Home, For the Love of Quilting Today. In 2012 they were asked to curate a show of 32 of their quilts at the Vermont Quilt Festival and recently provided two 'Artist's Demonstrations at the Museum of Fine Art, in Boston, MA. Susan is one of the founding members of The New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA and has served as Director and as a member of Board of Directors for over 23 years. Recently retired, Susan continues to create quilts for family, friends and charities. Susan is a member of the Brookfield, NH Heritage Commission which is celebrating 200 years of town meetings at the Brookfield Town House. She also serves as a Supervisor of the Checklist and Assistant to the Deputy Assessor.
May 9, 2023
Our kick-off meeting was a wonderful event to reconnect with old friends and new. The board explained all the activities that happened over the winter to get WBHS and its buildings secure for the future. Grants have been, and will be written, to start the building rehabilitation process. First up will be The Cobbler Shop. Next, an LCHIP application will be started in June in hope of being granted money to remediate the foundation of the school house in 2024.
Many ideas were floated to take into consideration about fundraising opportunities WBHS could utilize to match any grant given. The board thanks the members for their input and enthusiasm.
The Rancourts closed out our kick-off meeting with Old Time music that was enjoyed by all. Francis "Franco" Rancourt sang and played the slide guitar, her husband, John, played guitar and mandolin, and our own board member Fred Guldbrandsen, played harmonica.
We would like to welcome our new members, and we are glad you're here. Exciting things are happening at WBHS!
Our kick-off meeting was a wonderful event to reconnect with old friends and new. The board explained all the activities that happened over the winter to get WBHS and its buildings secure for the future. Grants have been, and will be written, to start the building rehabilitation process. First up will be The Cobbler Shop. Next, an LCHIP application will be started in June in hope of being granted money to remediate the foundation of the school house in 2024.
Many ideas were floated to take into consideration about fundraising opportunities WBHS could utilize to match any grant given. The board thanks the members for their input and enthusiasm.
The Rancourts closed out our kick-off meeting with Old Time music that was enjoyed by all. Francis "Franco" Rancourt sang and played the slide guitar, her husband, John, played guitar and mandolin, and our own board member Fred Guldbrandsen, played harmonica.
We would like to welcome our new members, and we are glad you're here. Exciting things are happening at WBHS!
May 1, 2023
The Executive Board would like to welcome and introduce to you our two newest board members: Susan Raban and Amber Marcoux.
Susan is a professional quilter who has taught all over the US and Europe. She and a partner owned Yankee Quilts. She also has curating experience, and is a founding member of The New England Quilt Museum. She serves the Brookfield community through two other posts.
Amber Marcoux has deep ties to Wakefield through her grandparents Lois and Schuyler (Forrest) Pike's 200 acre farm in Wakefield Village. Her grandmother Lois was a former Postmistress in the post office building across the street from the schoolhouse. Her great-aunt Violet was the school teacher at The Little Red Schoolhouse. Amber has worked in real estate and as an office comptroller. Currently, she serves Wakefield as the Welfare Director.
The Executive Board would like to welcome and introduce to you our two newest board members: Susan Raban and Amber Marcoux.
Susan is a professional quilter who has taught all over the US and Europe. She and a partner owned Yankee Quilts. She also has curating experience, and is a founding member of The New England Quilt Museum. She serves the Brookfield community through two other posts.
Amber Marcoux has deep ties to Wakefield through her grandparents Lois and Schuyler (Forrest) Pike's 200 acre farm in Wakefield Village. Her grandmother Lois was a former Postmistress in the post office building across the street from the schoolhouse. Her great-aunt Violet was the school teacher at The Little Red Schoolhouse. Amber has worked in real estate and as an office comptroller. Currently, she serves Wakefield as the Welfare Director.
April 17, 2023
President Nancy Spencer-Smith and VP Kate Niewenhous attended the LCHIP webinar to learn how to navigate their site for writing out a Letter of Intent (LOI), and the application for funding later on this summer, and hoping for positive results to work toward rehabilitation of WBHS buildings.
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1893 Brookfield Album Quilt on Display
The Wakefield-Brookfield Historical Society is the recent recipient of an 1893 Brookfield Album Quilt, which has passed down through four generations of the Amasa Cate family. The large summer quilt, in the “Pineapple” pattern, has over 100 names of Brookfield residents from the period. The quilt will be on display on Tuesday, March 8th, Town Voting Day, in the Town Office building during voting hours of 1 to 6 pm for those who wish to see it. Also on display will be the original Town Pewter measures, bought by the town in the early 19th century and our recently professionally conserved Town Record Book #8. |
Tom Venditudi of Puddleby on the Hill in Acton, Maine was a guest speaker. He has a large collection of paintings done by artists of the world-famous Mt. Washington School of Art movement. He showed three paintings – one by Benjamin Champney (1817-1907) representing the beginning of this artistic movement and two by William Paskell (1866-1951) representing the end of it.
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Dick Peckham of Brookfield presented a gift to the Society of a box of cobbler’s tools and accessories. They were obtained many years ago by Dick from a barn in Putnam, Connecticut.
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Address: 2851 Wakefield Road - P.O. Box 795
Sanbornville, NH 03872-0795 |
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