Historical events abound this summer in North Quabbin region

Old Home Days in Warwick on Aug. 14, 1940. This is among the photos of previous Old Home Days that can be viewed at the Warwick Historical Society. This photo was restored by late society member Inge Wirth.

Old Home Days in Warwick on Aug. 14, 1940. This is among the photos of previous Old Home Days that can be viewed at the Warwick Historical Society. This photo was restored by late society member Inge Wirth. PHOTO COURTESY OF WARWICK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Orange Historical Society member Terry Reed, on banjo, and Doug Tanner, on fiddle, are slated to provide live music on the society’s large porch for various events this summer.

Orange Historical Society member Terry Reed, on banjo, and Doug Tanner, on fiddle, are slated to provide live music on the society’s large porch for various events this summer. PHOTO COURTESY OF ORANGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

CARLA CHARTER

CARLA CHARTER

The Orange Historical Society on North Main Street.

The Orange Historical Society on North Main Street. STAFF FILE PHOTO

By CARLA CHARTER

For the Recorder

Published: 06-30-2024 8:25 AM

Historical events abound this summer in the North Quabbin area. From learning about local mysteries, to Quabbin hikes, to a relaxing day on the porch, historical societies are offering something for everyone this summer.

Orange Historical Society

The Orange Historical Society, located at 41 North Main St., will host numerous events, including old-fashioned porch visits on July 18 and Aug. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring live music by Terry Reed on banjo and Doug Tanner on fiddle, with refreshments.

Guests may opt to wear fanciful attire hailing from any historic era up to the present at a Traditional American Social Tea on the society’s porch, with live banjo and fiddle music on July 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. Reservations for this event must be made at least one week in advance by calling Ann Reed at 978-544-3864.

For those who love a little bit of mystery, the society will offer its second annual reading of “Unbelievable True Stories of Orange” on Aug. 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. Due to potentially intense subject matter, this event is only open to mature persons. Interested storytellers and audience members must call Reed at 978-544-3864 at least one week in advance to reserve a spot.

The society is open for guided tours on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. from June to September. More information can be found at orangehistoricalsocietyma.org.

Swift River Valley Historical Society

The Swift River Valley Historical Society, located at 40 Elm St. in New Salem, will be remembering the four lost towns. The Dana Reunion will be held on July 21. Gate 40 opens at 11 a.m. and the event concludes at 3 p.m. On July 28, the Dana Vespers will perform at the Prescott Church on the grounds of the society at 2 p.m. A talk on the Quabbin Reservoir and watershed protection with Maria Beiter-Tucker, interpretive services supervisor with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Division of Water Supply and Protection, will be held on Aug. 4, at 1 p.m. at the Prescott Church.

For those wishing to learn about the wildlife of the Swift River Valley, the society will host a talk on snakes with Massachusetts herpetologist Michael Jones on Aug. 24, at 1 p.m. at the society.

Several talks on local mysteries are planned. Photographer Peter Peirce will present “Mysteries of the Swift River Valley, Solved and Unsolved” on Aug. 11, at 1 p.m. On Aug. 18, Karen Traub will present a program titled “The Mystery of the Prescott Quilt of Names.” Both events will take place at the Prescott Church.

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The museum is open on Wednesdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. through Sept. 18. More information can be found at swiftrivermuseum.org.

Warwick Historical Society

Among the recent acquisitions at the Warwick Historical Society are photos donated by Pam Hadsel, which society members have placed in albums. The photos include those of Warwick buildings in the 1800s, old houses in Warwick and previous Old Home Days. During this year’s Old Home Day on Aug. 24, the museum will be open all day and the society’s old hearse will be brought out. More information about the society, which will be open on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. in July and August, can be found at history.town.warwick.ma.us.

Wendell Historical Society

The Wendell Historical Society and Wendell Free Library will present “The Rise and Fall of the Athol-Orange Power Plant (1909-1938)” on July 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s Herrick Room. The presentation will cover the history of the Athol-Orange Power Plant, built in 1909 and destroyed by the hurricane and flood of 1938. Presenters include Wendell Historical Society board members Pam Richardson, Joseph Coll and Edward Hines.

The society is also still accepting donations for work on its new building. More information can be found at wendellhistoricalsociety.org.

Carla Charter is a freelance writer from Phillipston. Her writing focuses on the history of the North Quabbin area. Contact her at cjfreelancewriter@earthlink.net.