It promises to be another active season at the DRHS with many events planned for the upcoming months.
Cindi Stannard, Board of Trustee Treasurer, will be presenting a talk, “Winthrop—-In Its Early Days” at the Carriage House on Thursday April 27th at 7:00 pm. Free to all that are interested in attending. The Winthrop section of Deep River is being researched and programs planned to show the history of the businesses that made this small hamlet in the northwest corner of Deep River. Cindi has a collection of old slides that will be projected to go along with her discussion of what Winthrop was like and comparing it to where it is today. The Historic Winthrop Cemetery was featured on Family Day last summer highlighting the important former residents of Deep River and Winthrop.
There is vast history associated with the mills and factories and last year we hosted a program on the importance of the wood planes and tools that put Winthrop on the map. Thomas Elliott, Westbrook, made a generous donation of the antique wood planes that were made in Winthrop and there will be a rotating exhibit of them at the museum.
Our annual Traditional Strawberry Social will be Sunday, June 11 from 2-4. Pounds of strawberries, fresh baked biscuits all smothered with fresh whipped cream will be consumed. All are welcome to drop in during the event and visit with residents of Deep River….all for a reasonable fee.
Yum, Yum….even our youngest attendees had smiles on their faces.
If you feel you might have an article of interest or knowledge of the history of Deep River that you would like to pass along, we always welcome these donations that enhance our history. Curator Rhonda Forristall would be happy to talk with you to see if they might fit into our collection. Perhaps you have an artifact stored away collecting dust that might be a treasure to our museum and pass along the story of the item or article. We are all looking for bits and pieces of the past that pertain to our town’s extensive history and add new interests to the displays. This applies especially to our most senior residents that have lived in town for so many years and remember it as it was. They have an untapped wealth of knowledge. If estates are being settled and cleared out, perhaps there might be some articles that would add as an heirloom to our collections and perpetuate a family history or memory.
We are pleased with the increase of events that have been booked utilizing our Carriage House Rentals. We now offer Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Each year we see events such as weddings, birthdays, graduations, re-unions, holiday celebrations and some sadder events such as post funeral gatherings. You can check the website out for details and fees on renting the facility for your own event. It is a bargain and the grounds are available to allow for bigger parties that require a tent. This is one of our main revenue producers for the society and we are quite proud of what it offers and how it helps defer our expenses and allows us to continue what we offer.
Our Festival of Trees, Trains and Traditions in December was very successful and many visitors came and voted for their favorite trees and got to see the train layout running with a few young engineers (and older ones too) at the throttle of Conductor Frank Santoro’s Lionel trains. The Festival will continue to be a regular event for us again this year highlighting different civic organizations and clubs and their creativity.
Major re-organization and planning for a new look for our collections and displays is in the formative stage. This will be an extended project but one that we are excited about and hopefully will display and tell the story of Deep River and especially the Southworth family that owned and lived in the Stone House and our benefactor Ada Southworth Munson who bequeathed the house and property to the DRHS. Our goal is to have new and changing exhibits to encourage repeat visitors.
As always we welcome new members and encourage you to join us in our efforts. If you cannot give your time then joining in the capacity of becoming a member financially would be most welcomed. Look for our posters and announcements with more … all at 245 Main Street in Deep River. We welcome you to get involved and help us move ahead while at the same time we look back in history.
The official summer hours to view the Stone House Museum will begin in July and August weekends from 2-4 pm. The museum is also available by special arrangements with the curator, Rhonda Forristall. For general inquiries or to make an appointment call (860) 526-1449.
Check out our newly designed website at: www.deepriverhistoricalsociety.org and follow us on Facebook and Deep River Diaries.
Susanne Wisner,
Publicity Chairperson and Recording Secretary DRHS
