North Attleborough Historical Society

April 2006

Apr 13, 2006

April Meeting
On Monday, April 17th at 7:30 PM at the Little Red Schoolhouse, John Stephens, curator of the Willard House and Clock Museum presents "A History of the Willard Clockmakers". Mr. Stephens will tell us a history of the clock makers and the museum's collection of over 80 clocks. Clocks created by contemporary North Attleborough clock makers will also be on exhibit.


May Breakfast
We will hold our annual May breakfast and open house on Sunday, May 7th. A breakfast of ham, scrambled eggs, potato, baked beans, muffins, pies and beverages will be served for $6 for adults and $3 for children from 8:30 to 11:30 in the Little Red Schoolhouse. The price also includes a tour of the Woodcock Garrison House, which will be open from 9 until noon. We will once again be calling upon our members to provide homemade muffins and pies, our biggest attraction for this event! If you don't cook, you might consider making a monetary donation, which will be used to purchase advertising. Please tell your friends and neighbors to come join us for breakfast!


Yard Cleanup
It is time once again to hold our annual spring yard cleanup in preparation for welcoming guests to our May Breakfast and open house. In the past we have set aside a day for volunteers to gather on the grounds. This has seen a mix of good and bad response. This year we will just ask that if you have your rake or broom out to do work in your own yard, leave it out and take it to the historical society as your schedule permits and give us an hour or two of your time.


Other Happenings


April 18, at 7:30 the Norton Historical Society presentation by Bill Patton.
Starting April 20 exhibition "The Marketing of King Philip" at the Old Colony Historical Society
April 20, at 6:30 the Old Colony Historical Society presents "Whittenton: Taunton's Melting Pot."
April 25 at 7:30 "Under the Streets of Boston" at the Boyden Library for the Foxboro Historical Society.
Apr. 29 at 11 AM "Clara Barton and her work to ensure Civil War veterans were not forgotten" at the Women At Work Museum, Riverbank Road, Attleboro. Clara Barton Tea 2-4PM $20. For reservations call Katherine Honey at 508 222-4430.
April 29 at 5:30-7 the Falls Firebarn Museum will hold a Pasta and Meatballs dinner at the Elks Club
May 11 at 7:30 the Wrentham Historical Society presents "Winston Churchill - The Boston Visits" at the Wrentham Library. (non-members $5)


President's Letter


You may have read in the papers about work that is to be done along the path of the Ten Mile River. The river is going to be cleaned of debris and branches. Trees that have grown into the river will be removed. Some of the river likely will require dredging at some point and walls that line the river that we constructed by the CCC in the 1930s will require repairs. Despite reading this in the newspapers, I was surprised one day to pull into our driveway and find a half-dozen department of public works trucks parked there and a lot of commotion and noise coming down the river from Broad Street.


I talked with some of the town workers. It was a pleasant day for the type of work undertaken; not too hot or cold. While it was a lot of work trimming out all of the small trees and vines that choked the area, at least the leaves had not yet sprouted! They expect to be back yearly to try and maintain the banks of the river.


I took a walk along the river walls the next day heading from our property toward Broad Street. What a change! A 3 or 4 foot buffer had been created, larger on the School Street side of the river. I followed the river toward the spillways that once powered the mill on Broad Street. I had always assumed that our property abuted the large factory parking lot on Broad Street. I was wrong. The parking lot is on the other side of the river.


Well, the town has started the cleanup. Now it is our turn to continue with it and get the rest of the property ready for the May Breakfast and Open House. If you are not able to do some of the cleanup work yourself, it would be a great project for any children or grandchild that is looking to do community work!


A pasta and meatball supper is planned for April 29th at the Elks Club in North Attleboro. The supper will be prepared by members of the North Attleboro Fire Dept. The event is a fundraiser for the Falls Fire Barn Museum and is sponsored by the local St. Jean's Duvernay Council. As treasurer of the North Attleborough Falls Fire Barn Preservation Society I will be selling tickets for this event. See me at the meeting for tickets or more information. This event was a sellout last year. If you need tickets, give me a call at 508-695-6649


It is almost time to elect a new slate of officers and trustees. The nominating committee has had an initial meeting. You can expect a call from the nominating committee. I hope that you will consider joining and participating; you'll find it a rewarding experience.


Sincerely,
Bob Lanpher