It was another good year for the Society, our 33rd, and it was a busy one. Financially it was not a banner year, but revenues held fast, we are on solid ground, and visits to the museum are up.
Projects and Events
The 2016 calendar was entitled “Andover Center Then and Now,” and we appreciate the venues that offered them for sale: both Andover libraries, the Andover Service Club Thrift Shop, New Horizons Hairstylists, Morgan Hill Book Store, and The Andover Beacon office.
We also thank all of the monthly sponsors who make the calendars possible and profitable: Tilton Medical Associates; Mountain High Kennel; Jay C. Boynton, Attorney at Law; JP Paquette Construction; Baker and Hartwell; Belletetes; The Village Sweep, Rick Estes, Proprietor; Lake Sunapee Bank; and the Blackwater Junction Restaurant.
In January, after much consideration, the Board voted to replace the Lull house on Depot Street across from the railroad station with a new, more suitable building that might contain public toilets. As of this date, no further plans have been considered.
June was very busy. On the 3rd we had our annual visit from the fourth grades of Andover, Webster, and Salisbury.
On the 5th we hosted about 30 senior citizens from Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Granite State College, a first for us. The group heard two presenters: John Hodgson spoke about Richard Potter, and Ken Cushing gave a Powerpoint presentation on the Northern Railroad. Both speakers were very well received.
On the 6th we celebrated National Trails Day with a public meeting at Proctor’s Stone Chapel featuring some of the wonderful photos Charley Freiberg took of architectural features along the Northern Rail Trail from Boscawen to Lebanon. Charley, Ken Cushing, and Charles Martin, author of New Hampshire Rail Trails all spoke to an enthusiastic full house.
A selection of Charley’s photographs, mounted by Paul Glorioso, were on exhibit at the railroad station this season and then went on to the Wilmot library. On June 25, at our public meeting, we welcomed the return of folk musician Jeff Warner.
During the summer, the box car at the Freight Shed in Potter Place was repainted, after an earlier coat of paint did not cover the primer coat, leaving white splotches in several places. The contractor honored the five-year warranty, and there has been no further problem to date.
The Andover Historical Society has assumed control of the Andover Lions Club’s Concord Coach, and plans are in the works to provide a permanent home for it during the Lull house replacement
Old Time Fair
On July 25, just one week prior to our annual Old Time Fair in Potter Place, it was discovered that three large poplar trees, in and near the “secret garden,” had uprooted and created a dangerous situation that needed to be addressed prior to August 2. The clean-up happened on schedule and resulted in a much improved grassy area that will accommodate many more uses.
It was a great fair, featuring much of the usual entertainment: Lindsey Schust and the Ragged Mountain Band, the Abbott Downing Society and two Concord Coaches, the Andover Lions Club coach, a wonderful selection of vendors and demonstrators, good food, a crowded flea market, and our auctioneer par excellence, Arch Weathers. Financially, it was a good day, with a good crowd in attendance.
Annual Meeting
Our annual meeting, open to the public, was held on October 15 and featured Sharon and Steve Wood portraying President and Mary Todd Lincoln in a living-history program, telling stories of their lives and the challenges they faced during their turbulent time in our country’s history. This presentation and that of Jeff Warner were sponsored by the New Hampshire Humanities Council.
Donations to the Collection
A total of 104 new items were added to the Historical Society’s collection during 2015, donated by Mark Stetson, Bob Peters, Steve Johnson, Clyde and Shirley Currier, Graham Conner, William Hunting, and Deb Brower.
Regrets
We lost three valued members this year: Don Gould, our treasurer for many years, and Bill Cutter and Don Kaplan, long time volunteers.
Trustees and Volunteers
Pam Cooper stepped into the treasurer’s position this year, and Gail Richards joined the Museum Management Committee. Gail has created wonderful windows at the store for the changing seasons.
Tim Norris and Ralph Ressler completed shelving in the freight car this year, creating much-needed space for small archival items. Luan Clark, curator, is working diligently to fill up the shelves.
As our members age, the list of volunteers willing to help as stationmaster on summer weekends is being depleted. Please consider spending a 2½-hour shift on a Saturday or Sunday welcoming visitors to the station and the store. Potter Place is a main hub on the Northern Rail Trail, and you may meet visitors from everywhere and anywhere. If you can spare a morning or afternoon, please call Pat Cutter at 735-5628.
Support
We are very grateful for all of the community support we receive. We rely solely on interested volunteers to maintain our buildings, staff the station and the store, and help at Old Time Fair time. If you have time to give, please think of us.