Events
The DHS holds four meetings a year – one annual meeting in January and three others quarterly, held on the third Thursday of April, July, and October. The Society also plans one to four public events per year, which include photography and art exhibitions, educational programs, and open houses.
Quarterly Meeting - October 20, 2022
Our fall Quarterly meeting was held on October 20th. We were fortunate to have our Dummerston neighbor, Lynn Levine, as our speaker. Lynn, a retired consulting
forester, an author, an environmental educator and a creator of interpretive nature trails, shared her recent love affair with a tract of land off Black Mountain Road. Initially looking for Red Pine on the property, Lynn described her many findings there, including puzzling dead Red Cedar trees, various animals, interesting plants and geological surprises.
Quarterly Meeting - July 21, 2022
After hosting the regular quarterly business meeting, DHS President Muriel Taylor welcomed special guest Glenn Annis, noted authority on the history of the West River
Railroad. Glenn presented the fascinating arc of the railroad's story, based on his research that began nearly four decades ago.
Have you viewed the big stone bridge piers beside Route 30 near the Covered Bridge? Have you wondered why they are where they are? Those towers are about all that is left of the West River Railroad, a 36 mile narrow gauge line that began in 1878 until the railroad went out of business in 1934. Glenn shared background on how the railroad was built, its operation, and the cause of its ultimate demise.
Annual Meeting - January 20, 2022
The Dummerston Historical Society’s 2022 Annual Meeting was hosted by President Muriel Taylor via Zoom at 7 pm Thursday, January 20th. After a brief business
meeting and the election of officers, the theme for discussion at this wintry Zoom gathering centered on early engine-driven transportation in Dummerston and environs.
Some specially invited “Old Timers” were encouraged by moderator Chuck Fish to share memories of the early days of motorized vehicles in our town - including, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, fire engines,
planes, trains, roads, rope tows, and more. Many residents contributed priceless stories, and the evening was a refreshing break from winter's grip
Quarterly Meeting - October 21, 2021
It was a privilege to welcome Dummerston resident, Jared Flynn as our speaker for our fall Quarterly Meeting. Jared is a professional member of the Dry Stone Walling
Association of Great Britain and has his
Master Level certificate from the Dry Stone Conservancy of Kentucky.
In 2010, Jared founded The Stone Trust which, in collaboration with Landmark Trust, is headquartered at Scott Farm on Kipling Road. Some examples of Jared’s varied creations are easily accessible for those of us who live locally.
After listening to his talk, you may wish to view Jared’s dry wall constructions
at the Stone Trust at Scott Farm or view the monolithic Moon Bridge at Green Mountain Orchards. He also invites you to visit his website at vtstone.com
Quarterly Meeting - April 15, 2021
Our spring Quarterly Meeting saw more than 60 people Zoomed-in to enjoy a
fascinating program presented by Rich Holschuh, a resident of Wantastegok
(Brattleboro, VT) and an independent historic and cultural researcher. Rich is a public liaison and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Elnu Abenaki, a member of the contemporary Indigenous community.
Rich shared stories of indigenous presence specifically in what is now Dummerston, and then generally in the immediate area of Sokwakik/ Sokoki country (how this region is seen through Abenaki eyes).
Annual Meeting - January 21, 2021
We're delighted to report that our first ever ZOOM-based Annual Meeting was very successful, attended by 40+ members and friends. After reporting on our 2020
accomplishments, current finances and 2021 goals, the Officers and Directors for 2021 were duly presented and elected. The business portion of our meeting completed, we were then treated to a wonderful program by Board Member Charles Fish, who illuminated the life and times of Rudyard Kipling during his Dummerston years. A recording of that most interesting talk appears here for your enjoyment.
October 15, 2020
However, please be aware that your Dummerston Historical Society is still very much alive and busy. The Directors have been meeting monthly over ZOOM. Some Directors have been working on projects at home, creating albums with selections from the myriad of photos we have at the schoolhouse, working in pairs and trios sorting through the many boxes of albums and papers from the family of Carol Bessette and entering into the talking stage with a Dummerston resident about creating a Facebook presence sometime in the future.
We are pleased to report that our moisture problem at the schoolhouse seems to have been pretty much corrected and the humidity readings are consistently staying within the recommended parameters. Thanks to Bob Taylor and Kevin Ryan for their hard work.
Our calendars are ready and can be picked up at the Dummerston Town Office or by calling Jody Normandeau at 380-9027 or Gail Sorenson at 254-9311. The cost is still $10 and they make great gifts, especially for out of town family and friends.
It is now time to consider renewing your membership in the Dummerston Historical Society. For a small membership fee of $15 a year, you will help support us in our continued efforts to permanently retrieve, store and share the history of our town. While the schoolhouse remains temporarily closed, our building costs remain constant (insurance, heat, electricity, organizational membership fees, etc.). Your continued support helps cover these ongoing costs.
Thank you.
Your DHS Directors
History in the making! Covid-19 has changed our lives, and we are living it! Unfortunately, this history-making event is causing us to cancel our October DHS Quarterly meeting, and while we wish we could all meet together, your health and safety are much more important to us.
April 16th Meeting is Cancelled
Due to the COVID-19 virus, the Dummerston Historical Society has cancelled its April 16th 2020 quarterly meeting with speaker Rich Holschuh and hopefully will reschedule sometime later this year. We will keep you posted!
Earlier Events
2020 Annual Meeting
January 16, 2020
Please join us at the Schoolhouse on Thursday, January 16th at 7 P.M. for our Annual Meeting.
From 7 – 7:30 we will conduct the business of the membership, including electing the Board of Directors for 2020 and voting on the annual budget. Our activities during 2019 will be reviewed briefly and Chuck Fish will give a detailed report on the “state of the building.” The Society’s aspirations and plans for 2020 will also be described.
True to the season, our Annual Meeting topic is entitled “Old Timers' Winter Memories.”
Drawing on the musings of those of you who are geriatrically qualified (or not) to speak, the evening is sure to bring humor and an occasional bit of wistfulness to those in attendance. It was a different time and it behooves us to remember it well. Please come and share your memories and/or bear witness to a different time.
Dan Snow, master dry stone wall builder, to present program at the Dummerston Historical Society quarterly meeting July 18 at 7:30 pm.
July 18, 2019
Dan Snow, one of the nation’s premier dry stone wall builders, is a master craftsman who also happens to be a Vermonter and a Dummerston resident. He will talk about the history of the town pound and the making of the pound during 2008-2009. Dan teaches dry stone wall building and, during five workshops with 44 participants, recreated the town pound adjacent to the Historical Society Schoolhouse.
The original livestock pound was built in October 1796 by Benjamin Alvord for the town of Dummerston. The size of the fence was 4 feet wide at the base and 6 feet in height. Each of the four sides was 36 feet long. The site, in Dummerston Center, was near where the Historical Society schoolhouse stands today but nothing remains of the original pound.
Author of three books, “In the Company of Stone: The Art of the Stone Wall,” “Listening to Stone,” and “The Solitary Stoneworker,” Dan has taught and created stone structures throughout the United States, Newfoundland, and Scandinavia. His imagination and works are incredible and one is left wondering just how his creations could be envisioned and built.
Please join us on July 18th at the Dummerston Historical Society in Dummerston Center, next to the Town Office. The program starts at 7:30 pm and will be preceded by a brief business meeting at 7 pm. The Historical Society is handicapped accessible. All events are free of charge, and one need not be a member to attend. Info: 802-254-9311
For more information on Dan Snow’s installation, see: www.dansnowstoneworks.com
Quarterly Meeting and Presentation from Local Historian Stewart McDermet
April 20, 2017
The upcoming April 20th Quarterly Meeting, following a business meeting at 7, will feature at 7:30 pm, local historian and neighbor, Stewart McDermet. Stewart will present and discuss an antique flag he has in his possession, flown many years ago on his and Kris' property on Butterfield Road in Dummerston. The 12 foot by 7 1/2 foot flag was made sometime after 1896 as it has 45 stars on it (Utah began the 45th state in 1896) and was our country's flag until 1907 when Oklahoma became the 46th state. Stewart also has a photograph taken around 1914 of this flag flying over their house. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own flags (and their stories) to this meeting!
Stewart will also share information regarding the history of his home, which was one of five houses built of bricks from a local Stickney Brook brickyard and which was moved from Western Avenue in Brattleboro to its current site on Butterfield Road.
There is much to learn about these subjects. Come, listen, learn and share.
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