Below is the latest news from the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS).
Contact information for CHS is as follows: PO Box 472, Cavendish, VT
05142, margoc@tds.net,
802-226-7807 .
TOUR OF THE FITTON MILL/HYDRO OPERATION
Many are not aware that just before the Cavendish
Gorge and Hydro Dam, on the Black River, was located one of the most productive
mills in Vermont. Called Spring Mill, but better known as
Fitton’s Mill, it started operation in 1867. The Mill complex included tenement
houses as well as a boarding house. A short lived operation, the mill
burned in 1875. When two other Fitton buildings burned later, it was suspected
that the mill owner, Robert Fitton, had committed arson to collect the insurance.
CHS and Green Mountain Power, are hosting a tour of
the Fitton Mill, with archaeologist Charity Baker, and the Cavendish Hydro
Plant on July 27 at 9 am. While this is a free event, space is limited and the tour is already half full, so let us know as soon as possible if
you plan to attend. Note that this is the same day as the Cavendish Town Wide Tag. However, it
was the only date the archeologist was available. Contact information is at the beginning and end of this post.
UNIVERSALIST “STONE” CHURCH
• Facilities Update: We have received the report from Steve Melanson, part
of the Preservation Trust of Vermont, about the condition of the building. As
noted by the other members of the Trust, he was amazed at the remarkable shape
the building is in considering its age. Much of the building's interior is original
to the time that it was built in 1844.
This report outlines a list of repairs, which total about $34,000. The
first order of business was to remove the pigeons from the attic, along with
their residue. Thanks to Pieter van Schaik and his crew from Beacon Pest
Control, this task has been achieved, and the attic is sealed off to future
exposure. We are fortunate that Pieter was able to do this for a quarter of the
price estimated by Melanson.
Members of the town wide Stone Church committee (Margo Caulfield, Dan
Churchill, Eric Gilberson (Preservation Trust), Mike Pember, Rolf van Schaik,
and Rich Svec) have gone through the report and have begun to develop a
Facilities Management Plan. Specs have been drawn up for repair work for the
Belfry and cupola, and price estimates will be sought in the up coming
weeks.
• Use of the Facility: The building can be used for small gatherings,
weddings, memorials etc. For use of the building, please contact CHS
(information is at the beginning and end of this post).
• Tours: A number of people stopped by the church for tours on July 6, during
Summer Fest. The Church will be open again on July 27 from 12 to 2 pm and
arrangements can be made to tour the building at other times by contacting CHS.
• Fundraising: We need your creative ideas for helping to raise funds for the building's
restoration. Since the Church is so beautiful at night, and it's been decades
since anyone has seen it like this, we are looking to do some type of event in
August or early September. If you have any ideas please let us know.
SOLZHENITSYN SUMMER
EXHIBIT
Thanks to Carolyn Solzhenitsyn and Julia Gignoux, the Aleksandr
Solzhenitsyn summer exhibit was opened at Summer Fest to rave reviews. The
exhibit provides a time line of Solzhenitsyn’s life including what he did after
he returned to Russia. It was wonderful to have so many members of the
Solzhenitsyn family present for this occasion.
Our heart felt thanks to Carolyn and Julia for an amazing job. The exhibit
can be seen during normal Museum hours-Sunday afternoons from 2-4 pm.
Arrangements for visiting at other times can be arranged by contacting
CHS.
CHECK OUT THE “NOOK”
AT THE MUSEUM
A reading/viewing area has been set up at the Museum where you can read, do
research or watch videos. Among the popular videos watched at Summer Fest was
the 1991 Bicentennial Parade and Solzhenitsyn’s farewell speech at Town Meeting
in 1994. There were lots of comments about how much younger everyone looked as
well as noting who is no longer with us.
CHS RAFFLE
Thanks to donations from many members of the Cavendish Community, we have a
wonderful array of prizes as part of this year’s CHS Raffle. These include:
• Seascape
Painting by Craig Rankin
• Lighthouse
Painting by Craig Rankin
• Reading by Dan
Churchill
• Historical
Cavendish (History of Cavendish, T Shirt, Sandra’s book)
• Golden Stage Inn
Honey Bee Amenities Bag
• Class at Fletcher
Farm
• Glimmerstone Gift
Certificate
• Workshop on Maxim
Russian Machine Gun, includes one shooter position
• Old Cavendish Products
fruitcake and Monkey Chews
• Pizza and
sweat shirt from Goodmen’s Pizza
• One month
membership at the Castle Hill Resort and Spa
Tickets are $5 and
available at the Museum on Sunday afternoons, at the Stone Church on July 27 or
by contacting CHS. The drawing will be on July 27 at 2 pm at the Stone Church.
CAVENDISH IN PICTURES
If you haven’t had a
chance to check out the Cavendish VT Facebook page, do so, as we have been featuring many pictures of Cavendish from the earliest
photos in the CHS archives to more recent events. You do not have to be a
Facebook member to read the website. Commenting does require that you be a
Facebook member. If you would to add a picture to the site, you can e-mail it
in jpeg format to margoc@tds.net
PHINEAS GAGE ON FACEBOOK
Turning to the
digital age for help in understanding more about Phineas Gage’s life, as well
as to provide accurate information, CHS
has started a Phineas Gage Facebook page.
SUPPORTING CHS
You can support the
work of CHS by:
• Becoming a member
or renewing your membership
• Volunteering
• Making a donation
and/or hosting a fundraiser
• Becoming a board
member
CHS Contact Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 472, Cavendish VT 05142
E-mail Address: margoc@tds.net
Phone Number: 802-226-7807
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