Jaffrey Historical Society

Jaffrey Civic Center
40 Main Street
Jaffrey, NH 03452
Contact phone: 603-598-0120. E-mail: charlie@jaffreyhistory.org
Also see jaffreyhistory.org


NOTE: This site may be revised from time-to-time and non-timely material may be added but for Society news, meeting details, etc., go to jaffreyhistory.org.


TABLE of CONTENTS:

Upcoming Meetings.
Past Meetings.
Past Programs & Presentations.
Newsletters.
History Floor Exhibits at the Jaffrey Public Library.
Resources.
JHS Publications.
Videos.
Projects.
The Society.
Miscellaneous.


PAST MEETINGS

• A database now exists of all the Society's Meetings, Program and Events prepared by Vicki Arceci. To 2016.

• For some photos of PAST MEETINGS, PROGRAMS & PRESENTATIONS, click here.

• For some photos of past AUTUMN OUTINGS, click here.

2023
Christmas Party. Thursday, December 14, 2023, 5pm onward, Jaffrey Civic Center.

Annual Autumn Outing. Sunday, October 15, 2023. Destination: Amherst.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 10, 2023. Program: TBD.

Special Veterans Edition, Old Burying Ground tour (with the Jaffrey Cemetery Committee). Saturday, June 17, 2023, 12:30 - 1:30.

Potluck. Thursday, February 9, 2023, 5pm onward, Jaffrey Civic Center.

2022
Christmas Party. Thursday, December 9, 2022, 5pm onward, Jaffrey Civic Center.

Annual Autumn Outing. Sunday, October 16, 2022. Destination: The Fort at No. 4, Charlestown, NH.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 11, 2022. 3:30 p.m. Jaffrey Meetinghouse. Program: Ken Sheldon on his book Deep Water. Ken will talk a bit about the book and sign & sell copies.

Book Launch. Saturday, July 9, 2022. 10 a.m. Jaffrey Civic Center. Ken Sheldon will launch his new book on the Dean Murder: Deep Water. Click here to learn more.

A St. Patrick Cemetery Walking Tour (with the Jaffrey Cemetery Committee). Sunday, June 26, 2022, 2-3:30pm. St. Patrick Cemetery. Click here to see the Walking Tour Guide.

Spring Potluck. Thursday, April 21, 2022. Jaffrey Civic Center. Program: Building Bridges: Constructing the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge by President Charlie Turcotte.

2021
Christmas Party. Thursday, December 9, 2021, Jaffrey Civic Center.

Annual Autumn Outing. Sunday, October 24, 2021. Destination: Swanzey, NH. Additional information on Swanzey.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 19, 2021. 4 p.m. The Park Theatre.

A Cutter Cemetery Walking Tour (with the Jaffrey Cemetery Committee). June 27, 2021, 2-3:30pm. Cutter Cemetery. Click here to see the Walking Tour Guide.

2020
No meetings were held in the Fall of 2020 through June 2021 (Cutter Cemetery Tour) because of Covid-19 concerns.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 20, 2020. 4pm. Cathedral of the Pines. Business Meeting. No program per se.

Spring Meeting. Thursday, April 16, 2020. Jaffrey Civic Center. Steve Taylor, NEW HAMPSHIRE'S ONE-ROOM RURAL SCHOOLS: THE ROMANCE AND THE REALITY. CANCELLED due to Covid-19 concerns.

Winter Potluck. Thursday, February 13, 2020. Jaffrey Civic Center. Bernie Hampsey, Bill Driscoll, Joe Manning. THE THREE AMIGOS.
See the show. Watch the video of the program.

2019
Christmas Party. Thursday, December 12, 2019, Jaffrey Civic Center.

Annual Autumn Outing. Sunday, October 13, 2019. Destination: Millipore Sigma, Squantum, Cathedral of the Pines, Rindge Meetinghouse. Optiona dinner following at Sunflowers.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 8, 2019, Grand View, Mountain Road. Business Meeting followed by a program on Grand View (Milliken Tavern) and Reception.

Launch of Laban Ainsworth: A Life by Jean Parker Waterbury. Saturday, July 27, 2019, 7:30pm. Jaffrey Meetinghouse.

A Village Cemetery Walking Tour (with the Jaffrey Cemetery Committee). June 23, 2019, 2-3:30pm. Village Cemetery. Click here to see the Walking Tour Guide.

Spring Meeting. Thursday, April 18, 2019. Jaffrey Civic Center. Alan R. Hoffman, LAFAYETTE AND THE FAREWELL TOUR: ODYSSEY OF AN AMERICAN IDOL.

Winter Potluck. Thursday, February 14, 2019. Jaffrey Civic Center. Joe Manning, THE GREAT BOSTON MOLASSES SPILL.

2018
Christmas Party. Thursday, December 13, 2018, Jaffrey Civic Center.

Annual Autumn Outing. Sunday, October 14, 2018. Destination Troy. Optional dinner following at The Inn at East Hill Farm.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 9, 2018, Jaffrey Civic Center. Business Meeting followed by the opening of the Dean Murder exhibit and a Reception.

A Phillips-Heil Cemetery Walking Tour (with the Jaffrey Cemetery Committee) Sunday, June 17, 2018. Click here to see the Walking Tour Guide.

Spring Meeting. Thursday, April 12, 2018. Jaffrey Civic Center. Adair Mulligan, A WALK BACK IN TIME: THE SECRETS OF CELLAR HOLES.

Winter Potluck. Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jaffrey Civic Center. JAFFREY ANNIVERSARIES.
              Anniversaries Presentation Bruce Hill & Rob Stephenson

2017
Christmas Party. Thursday, December 14, 2017, Jaffrey Civic Center.

Annual Autumn Outing. Sunday, October 15, 2017. Destimation: Winchendon. Optional dinner following at the Glen Caffe.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 10, 2017, Jaffrey Civic Center. Phil Cournoyer. W. W. CROSS—THE RISE & FALL OF A MAJOR SPOKE IN JAFFREY'S INDUSTRIAL WHEEL.
              Phil Cournoyer Presentation. Jaffrey Historical Society program August 10, 2017. Click here for a video of his presentation.

An Old Burying Ground Walking Tour (with the Jaffrey Cemetery Committee) Sunday, June 25, 2016. Click here to see the Walking Tour Guide.

Spring Meeting. Thursday, April 13, 2017, Jaffrey Civic Center. Kai Nalenz, CONSERVATION & REPAIR OF HISTORIC GRAVESTONES—PRESERVING A RECORD OF OUR PAST

Winter Potluck. Thursday, February 9, 2017. Jaffrey Civic Center. DOG SLEDDING IN JAFFREY…AND ELSEWHERE.
              Winter Potluck 2017. Jaffrey Historical Society program February 9, 2017 (date changed due to snow).

2016
Christmas Party. Thursday, December 8, 2016, Jaffrey Civic Center.

Annual Autumn Outing. Wilton. Sunday, October 16, 2016. The Wilton Historical Society and Frye's Measure Mill. Optional dinner following at Brady's American Grill.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 11, 2016, Jaffrey Civic Center. Steve Baldwin, DIGGING UP THE PAST—THE HISTORY UNDER US.
              Steve Baldwin Presentation. Jaffrey Historical Society program August 11, 2016.

A Conant Cemetery Walking Tour (with the Jaffrey Cemetery Committee) Saturday, June 11, 2016. Postponed because of rain and held on June 18. Click here to see the Walking Tour Guide.

Spring Meeting. Thursday, April 14, 2016, Jaffrey Civic Center. Scott Edwards of Scott's Clocks. NEW ENGLAND CLOCKS WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE SOCIETY'S TWO TALL-CASE CLOCKS.
              Scott Edwards Presentation. Jaffrey Historical Society program April 14, 2016.

Winter Potluck. Thursday, February 11, 2016, Jaffrey Civic Center. QUIZ NIGHT V.2. Photo.
              Winter Potluck 2016. A ‘Where are You?’ Quiz. Jaffrey Historical Society program February 11, 2016.

2015
Christmas Party. Thursday, December 10, 2015, Jaffrey Civic Center. Photo.

Annual Autumn Outing. Francestown. Sunday, October 18, 2015. Optional dinner following at the Crotched Mountain Golf Club.

Witches & Pop Culture. Thursday, September 3, 2015: Friends of the Jaffrey Library program by Robin DeRosa, Jaffrey Civic Center. Co-sponsored by the Jaffrey Historical Society. The program focuses on the Salem Witch Trials.

Hearse House Charrette. Sunday, August 23, 2015, 3pm. The Society will host an informational and working "charrette" on the Hearse House project on the Common, meeting near the Horsesheds. Rain date: August 30th. For information on this project go to http://www.rs41.org/jhs/hearse.htm

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 13, 2015, Jaffrey Civic Center. Mark Cournoyer. 100 YEARS OF THE COURNOYER FUNERAL HOME.

The Once & Future Park Theatre. Friday, July 31, 2015. The Society will co-sponsor with the Park Theatre an opening reception for the exhibit on the Theatre that will run the month of August at the Jaffrey Civic Center.

Spring Meeting. Thursday, April 9, 2015, Jaffrey Civic Center. Bill Coleman & Joe Manning, BILL and JOE: BEAN FIBER GLASS.
              Bean Fiber Glass Presentation. Bill Coleman and Joe Manning. Jaffrey Historical Society program April 9, 2015.

Winter Potluck. Thursday, February 12, 2015, Jaffrey Civic Center. QUIZ NIGHT.
              Some old Jaffrey films (including farm and winter scenes, car racing on Contoocook, dedication of the Buddies Monument). Jaffrey Historical Society program 12 February 2015. A Jaffrey Quiz was enjoyed by all. See the answers.


2014
Christmas Party. Thursday, December 11, 2014. Jaffrey Civic Center.

Annual Autumn Outing. Milford. Sunday. October 19, 2014. The Milford Historical Society and the New Hampshire Antique Co-op. Optional dinner following at Mile-Away. Click here for a video of the Outing.

Monadnock 4 Open House. Saturday 1-3pm, August 16, 2014, Jaffrey's Firehouse Museum. Here's the article the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript published in its August 28, 2014 issue.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 14, 2014, Jaffrey Civic Center. Helen & Archie Coll, COLL'S POULTRY FARM.
              Archie Coll Presentation. Jaffrey Historical Society program August 14, 2014.

June Meeting. Thursday, June 12, 2014, Jaffrey Meetinghouse. Paul Wainwright, NEW ENGLAND'S COLONIAL MEETINGHOUSES AND THEIR IMPACT ON AMERICAN SOCIETY.
              Paul Wainwright Presentation. Jaffrey Historical Society program June 12, 2014.

Spring Meeting. Thursday, April 10, 2014, Jaffrey Civic Center. Prof. Robert G. Goodby, 12,000 YEARS AGO IN THE GRANITE STATE.

Winter Potluck. Thursday, February 20, 2014, Jaffrey Civic Center. JAFFREY MEMORIES. (Originally scheduled for February13; re-scheduled because of snow.)
              Jaffrey Memories. Jaffrey Historical Society program February 20, 2014.


2013
Christmas Party. Thursday, December 12, 2013, Jaffrey Civic Center.

Annual Autumn Outing. Worcester, Massachusetts. September 29, 2013. Optional dinner following at The Old Mill.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 8, 2013, Jaffrey Civic Center. The Belletete Family, BELLETETES PROGRAM.
              Belletete Presentation. Jaffrey Historical Society program August 8, 2013.

Spring Meeting. Thursday, April 4, 2013, Jaffrey Civic Center. Rebecca Rule: MOVED AND SECONDED: TOWN MEETING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. Click here for a video of her presentation.

Winter Potluck. February 14 2013, Jaffrey Civic Center. Russell Bastedo: A POTLUCK SUPPER…WITH THE ADDED INGREDIENT OF HISTORY. HOW AND WHY THE BRITISH DISCOVERED NORTH AMERICA.
              Russell Bastedo Presentation. Jaffrey Historical Society program February 14, 2013.


2012
Christmas Party. Thursday, December 13, 2012, Jaffrey Civic Center.

Annual Autumn Outing. Westminster, Vermont. September 30, 2012. Optional dinner following at the Saxtons River Inn. Click here for a video of the Outing.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 16, 2012, Jaffrey Meetinghouse. Mark Bean, D. D. BEAN AND SONS—GENERATIONS OF MATCH MAKING IN JAFFREY. Click here for a video of his presentation.

Walking Tour. June 3, 2012. Rob Stephenson WALK & TALK AROUND SQUANTUM.

Spring Meeting. Thursday, April 12, 2012, Jaffrey Civic Center. Steve Hooper: 24 YEARS COVERING JAFFREY IN THE SENTINEL.

Winter Potluck. February 9, 2012, St Patrick School. Dennis Wright: TEACHING IN A VERMONT ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE.
              Dennis Wright Presentation. Jaffrey Historical Society program February 9, 2012.


2011
Christmas Party. Thursday, December 8, 2011, Jaffrey Civic Center.

Annual Autumn Outing Henniker. October 16, 2011.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 11, 2011, Jaffrey Meetinghouse. Steve Taylor: NEW HAMPSHIRE'S GRANGE MOVEMENT: ITS RISE, TRIUMPHS, AND DECLINE.

Spring Meeting. Thursday, April 14, 2011, Jaffrey Civic Center. Paul Tuller: THE DUBLIN ART COLONY. FORMED THROUGH PATRONAGE, FRIENDSHIPS AND FAMILY.
              Paul Tuller Presentation. Jaffrey Historical Society program April 14, 2011.


2010
Annual Autumn Outing. Belchertown, Massachusetts. October 3, 2010.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 12, 2010, Jaffrey Civic Center. Edie Clark: WRITTEN FROM HOME: THE VIEW FROM MARY'S FARM.

Spring Meeting. April 15, 2010, Jaffrey Civic Center. Alan Rumrill. Bill Stewart, Kent Royce, Rick Wagner: BANG!: FIREARMS MANUFACTURING IN CHESHIRE COUNTY (WITH SOME SPECIAL ATTENTION TO JAFFREY.

Winter Potluck. February 11, 2010, Great Hall, Silver Ranch. Harvey Sawyer: AN EVENING WITH HARVEY…AND POTLUCK, TOO!.
              Harvey Sawyer Presentation. Jaffrey Historical Society program February 11, 2010.


2009
Christmas Party. Wednesday, December 10, 2009, Jaffrey Civic Center.

Annual Autumn Outing. Hillsborough. October 4, 2009.

Annual Meeting. Thursday, August 13, 2009, Jaffrey Civic Center. Steve Taylor: THE GREAT SHEEP BOOM AND ITS ENDURING LEGACY ON THE NEW HAMPSHIRE LANDSCAPE.

Spring Meeting. Thursday, April 23, 2009, Jaffrey Civic Center. Debbie Stewart, Charles Lyle, Mary Jo Marvin, Jack Belletete: JAFFREY WORTHIES: PORTRAITS OF THOSE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE.
              Jaffrey Worthies. Jaffrey Historical Society program April 23, 2009.

Winter Meeting. Thursday, February 19, 2009, Jaffrey Civic Center. Dick Smith: SOME JAFFREY DAIRY FARMS AND THEIR MILK BOTTLES.
              Dick Smith Presentation. Jaffrey Historical Society program February 19, 2009.


PAST PROGRAMS & PRESENTATIONS These also appear above.
BUILDING BRIDGES: CONSTRUCTING THE LEONARD P. ZAKIM BUNKER HILL BRIDGE. Thursday, April 21, 2022. President Charlie Turcotte.

THE THREE AMIGOS. February 13, 2020. Bernie Hampsey, Bill Driscoll, Joe Manning. Watch the video of the program.

CHRISTMAS PARTY. December 12, 2019. JHS Highlights from the Past.

JAFFREY ANNIVERSARIES. February 8, 2018. Bruce Hill & Rob Stephenson.

W. W. CROSS. August 10, 2017. Phil Cournoyer. Watch the video of the program.

DOG SLEDDING IN JAFFREY… AND ELSEWHERE. February 9, 2017.

DIGGING UP THE PAST—THE HISTORY UNDER US. August 11, 2016. Steve Baldwin.

BILL and JOE: BEAN FIBER GLASS. April 9, 2015. Bill Coleman & Joe Manning.

SOME OLD JAFFREY FILMS. February 12, 2015. A Jaffrey Quiz was enjoyed by all. See the answers.

COLL'S POULTRY FARM. August 14, 2014. Helen & Archie Coll.

NEW ENGLAND'S COLONIAL MEETINGHOUSES AND THEIR IMPACT ON AMERICAN SOCIETY. June 12, 2014 at the Jaffrey Meetinghouse. Paul Wainwright.

JAFFREY MEMORIES. February 20, 2014.

HOW AND WHY THE BRITISH DISCOVERED NORTH AMERICA. February 14, 2013. Russell Bastedo.

D. D. BEAN AND SONS—GENERATIONS OF MATCH MAKING IN JAFFREY. August 16, 2012 at the Jaffrey Meetinghouse. Mark Bean.

TEACHING IN A VERMONT ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE. February 9, 2012 at St Patrick School. Dennis Wright.

THE DUBLIN ART COLONY. FORMED THROUGH PATRONAGE, FRIENDSHIPS AND FAMILY. April 14, 2011. Paul Tuller.

AN EVENING WITH HARVEY…AND POTLUCK, TOO!. February 11, 2010 at the Great Hall, Silver Ranch. Harvey Sawyer.

JAFFREY WORTHIES: PORTRAITS OF THOSE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE. April 23, 2009. Debbie Stewart, Charles Lyle, Mary Jo Marvin, Jack Belletete.

SOME JAFFREY DAIRY FARMS AND THEIR MILK BOTTLES. February 19, 2009. Dick Smith.


NEWSLETTERS
Summer 2022

Winter 2022

Autumn 2021

Winter-Spring 2021

Winter 2020

Autumn 2019

Summer 2019

Winter 2019

Autumn 2018

Summer 2018

Winter 2018

Autumn 2017

Summer 2017

Spring 2017

Winter 2017

Autumn 2016

Summer 2016

Spring 2016

Winter 2016

Autumn 2015

Summer 2015

Spring 2015

Winter 2015

Autumn 2014

Summer 2014

June 2014

Spring 2014

Winter 2014

Winter 2013

Autumn 2013

Autumn 2012

Spring 2012


HISTORY FLOOR EXHIBITS AT THE JAFFREY PUBLIC LIBRARY Included here are the posters displayed on the ground floor of the Jaffrey Public Library directing people to the History Floor and the temporary exhibits arranged by the Jaffrey Historical Society.

Postcards! A Selection of Jaffrey postcards featuring Houses, Churches, Public Buildings, Mills & Shops, Streetscenes, Mt. Monadnock, etc., etc. March 2019.

Cars! A selection of Jaffrey images featuring car dealerships. How many were there? Where were they? What makes & models? etc., etc.

Let's Eat Food is one of life’s necessities. Whether we choose to prepare our own and eat at home, or dine out. Either way, we can’t live without it. Jaffrey has had a number of ‘dining out’ spots over the years some of which are featured in this exhibit. December 2019.

Conant High School: 150 Years & Counting Conant High School has been part of Jaffrey since 1870. View its home through the years as well as artifacts thart contribute to its history. It may kindle memories of days gone by. October 20 - March 2021.

Relax and Have Fun! Visitors and townfolk alike enjoy a change of pace... Wherever you look, nature sets a stage for relaxing. July - September 2021.

To see photos of the exhibits go to https://rs41.smugmug.com/Jaffrey/JHS/Library-Exhibits.


RESOURCES

Inventory of the Town vault, Jaffrey Library by Coburn Kidd. 1979.
Some interesting items found in the Library Vault.
Amos Fortune.

Historic newspapers. Various copies of local newspapers.

The Jaffrey Town History. Some selected chapters.

Volume I of the Jaffrey Town History by chapter. Each chapter is searchable. There is some duplication with the previous section which are mostly links to jaffreyhistory.org or transcriptions. These are actual page images.

Volume II of the Jaffrey Town History (Genealogy). Each chapter is searchable.

Volume III of the Jaffrey Town History by chapter. Each chapter is searchable.

Volume IV of the Jaffrey Town History by chapter. Each chapter is searchable.


JHS PUBLICATIONS
Walking Tour Guides of Jaffrey Cemeteries. Produced in cooperation with the Jaffrey Cemetery Committee.

Laban Ainsworth: A Life by Jean Parker Waterbury.

Willa Cather in Jaffrey by Margaret C. Bean. 2005. Studies in Jaffrey History—No. 1.

Luke Howe, M.D., An Extraordinary Physician of Jaffrey by D. Glyn Millard, M.D. 2005. Studies in Jaffrey History—No. 2.

Viggo Brandt-Erichsen in Jaffrey by Margaret C. Bean. 2006. Studies in Jaffrey History—No. 3.

Honorable John Conant, 1790-1877 by Clare Forcier Sullivan. 2017. Studies in Jaffrey History—No. 4.

Jaffrey Roads and Streets 1773-1980 by Coburn Kidd. 1982, revised and updated, 2009.

Monadnock 4 Jaffrey's Fire Museum. A brochure issued in 2014.

Little Red Schoolhouse A short brochure on the Society's one-room schoolhouse.

Aunt Hannah—The Band Box Maker by Margaret C. Robinson. 1925, text only.


VIDEOS
Partnering with Local Schools. Barbara Rimkunis, Curator, Exeter Historical Society. Monadnock Historical Societies Forum, Jaffrey, Thursday, October 16, 2014.

Perambulating the Jafffrey-Troy line, June 8, 2014. Also on YouTube.


PROJECTS
Laban Ainsworth biography project

Baptist Weathervane project

Dean Murder project (This has been moved to jaffreyhistory.org)

Hannah Davis update

Hearse House project

Town Anniversaries Celebrating the Jaffrey's anniversaries. The Town was incorporated on August 17, 1773.

Jaffrey 250s Celebrating the Jaffrey's 250th Anniversary.


THE SOCIETY
Articles of Organization and By Laws

Officers and Directors
    2023-24
    2021-22
    2020-21
    2019-20
    2018-19
    2017-18
    2016-17
    2015-16

Membership

Our websites and other electronic resources

Little Red Schoolhouse

Monadnock 4—Fire Museum

Master Planning with the Jaffrey Civic Center


MISCELLANEOUS
"Dear Friend…Jaffrey Postcards to Here & There." A Jaffrey Historical Society exhibit at the Civic Center, 4-28 August 2017.

The Perkins Clock

The Laban Ainsworth Clock

Handout on Jaffrey Center sites/sights for Visit of Ashby, Royalston and Hancock Historical Societies.

Town of Jaffrey Annual Reports (1925-2009 with a few missing)

A Jaffrey Quiz from the February 12, 2015, Pot Luck program. And the answers.

The first issue of the Monadnock Ledger, November 21, 1956.

Jaffrey Jubilee Past & Present, August 7, 8, 9, 1964. (program)

Dublin Archives

Camp Monadnock handbook, 1964.

Lake Contoocook / Lake Sunshine