ANDOVER — I write again about Mary N. Chase, honored by a historical marker outside the Stone Chapel. Chase moved to Andover in 1899 to teach at Proctor Academy, joined the Andover Unitarians, and was a part of the community until July 1948, when she moved to the Unitarians’ Frances Bernard Home for indigent women […]
Landmark mill destroyed by fire in 1945
ANDOVER — This dam is located on Mill Brook just north of the railroad. It dates back to the 1830s. It was made of log cribbing pegged together with iron spikes. Massive stonework supported the mill wheel. The mill pond extended upstream from the dam and under the railroad and contained an estimated two to […]
Things you might find in an early kitchen
ANDOVER — The Andover Historical Society has recently changed their exhibit in the display case at the Town Office. Each spring a new theme is chosen, and items representative of this theme are selected from the museum in Potter Place, or are on loan from members’ personal collections. The theme for 2024 was “Things You […]
Piano’s previous site is now Benson Auto Company
FRANKLIN — The following is a shortened version of the piece written in Albert Garneau’s book The Official History of Franklin, New Hampshire, Vol. I — The Birthplace of Daniel Webster, pp. 661–663. (To read the full story, please refer to the book.) One of the rarest old pianos in the country, and probably the […]
Wheel stands for importance of industry in Franklin
FRANKLIN — Driving through Franklin heading north or south on Central Street, you pass by Trestle View Park and the Harris Corliss Wheel. During the holiday season, every year since the mid-1990s and continuing to this day, Kirk and Jill Weyant, local owners of Three Rivers Wreath & Plants Company, have donated the wreaths. The […]
Interactions with Proctor students and locals
It is the summer of 1961. I rush into the diner as always, mostly on time but rarely early. It’s unusually quiet for the start of the lunch hour. Lil has assumed her usual spot at the far end of the counter, no coffee, no cigarette, waiting restlessly for a customer, any customer to arrive. […]
In the summer of 1961, I was a rookie waitress at Quimby’s Diner, not quite 17, and a soon-to-be high school senior. Do you recall your first job? Were you skillful and confident on day one or a bumbler and fumbler like me? My story continues. The uproarious laughter at Quimby’s lunch counter can be […]
Formerly located where Mane Street Hair Salon is today
“Quimby’s Diner, Serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Open 6 AM to 8 PM” is stenciled on the glass door. A bell sounds as I push the door forward, further jangling my already racing heart. I am 16, facing my first job interview, shy, tiny in stature with a confidence level to match. I quickly check […]
Descendants of Gilman and Hannah Hersey
Andover – The descendents of Gilman and Hannah Hersey gathered on August 3 for their 127th annual reunion, which was held at the East Andover Grange Hall. Twenty-seven members were in attendance, coming from the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. A potluck meal was enjoyed by all and was topped off by […]
Literary allusion made by Hamilton to Washington
Hamilton, Washington and the Man Who Might ”Ride the Storm and Direct the Whirlwind.” © John A. Hodgson As Rep. Adam Schiff opened the first impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in January 2020, he began with a quotation from Alexander Hamilton: “When a man unprincipled in private life, […]