CHS Briefs December 1, 2019

Please also check the Cavendish VT Facebook page for photo albums of various CHS activities.

The Museum is now closed and reopens Memorial Day weekend 2020. As weather permits, appointments can be made by calling 802-226-7807 or e-mailing margocaulfield@icloud.com to view the Solzhenitsyn exhibit during the off season.  

If you haven’t checked the CHS website, the fall newsletter is now on-line along with an update on the Vermont Native American Timeline.

.

WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING

MUSEUM:  It’s a good feeling to know the steps are completed with two coats of paint and the doors are also painted. More painting will be done but we’re in good shape heading into winter.

New doors to the Museum

Cupola damage

STONE CHURCH: In an early November windstorm, the cupola was damaged on the Stone Church. We are working with the town to hire a contractor to address this issue.

We have been doing yearly renovations on the building, with the plan to house the permanent Solzhenitsyn exhibit there. However, it’s taking considerably longer than we expected. To expedite this process, CHS, the Town and the Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Center (ASC)  are starting a collaborative effort to raise the funds and oversee the work needed to renovate the space and prepare it for the exhibit. More information will be coming in January.

CARMINE GUICA YOUNG HISTORIANS: Thanks to our

Learning to make rope

incredible donors, we are able to provide a diverse range of programming for our students. In October & November which included:

• Fitton Mill Tour 6^th grade

• Foliage History Train Ride: 4^th grade plus the students from Ludlow Elementary 4^th & 5^th grades

• Day long program with experimental archeologist Charlie Paquin 5^th grade

• Visit to Sturbridge Village 6^th grade

• Assisting community with fall chores: 4-6^th grades

Train trip

• Annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) 5^th grade

Facebook albums of various events can be seen on-line as follows:

• Sturbridge/ Dia de los Muertos

• Roots Camp: Charlie Paquin’s day long program for 5^th grade

Our annual day long holiday program for students is focusing on Winter Solstice and the many customs from around the world that celebrate this day. We are currently looking for Qui Yogurt jars. If you have jars you would like to donate, please drop them off at the school or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

ANNUAL APPEAL CAMPAIGN: CHS’s annual appeal campaign is now underway.

November 29, 2019

Dear Friend:

Yes, the Museum has painted double doors and the stairs have been completely over hauled, including new paint. It’s been a summer of maintenance. More is desperately needed, particularly at the Stone Church, where a portion of the cupola siding and roof tiles were wrecked by an early November windstorm.

One of this year’s highlights was the start of Preserve and Serve, part of the Carmine Guica Young Historians Program (CGYHP). Students learn stewardship by not only helping to clean and tend to our cemeteries, but they are also helping those in our community who need assistance with yard chores and other activities. 

For the last five years, our 6^th graders have participated in RiverSweep.  The beach selected on the Black River is one that has been on Cavendish maps since the 1860’s. As their teacher, Robin Bebo-Long, described it, “that 1^st year we took out truckloads of trash. It was disgusting, clothes, broken bottles, shotgun casings, TVs (you get the idea). Each year we went to this spot and, each year the conditions were a bit better. This year I almost cried, we took out a 1/2 bag of trash. The site has a new sign and it is a place that I wouldn’t think twice about swimming in. We have stewardship.

Not a lot of historical societies run a program like this, but as a result, we are raising very aware youth who know their town’s history and are helping to shape its future.

We can’t do this without your help. You can play an integral part by

• Donating to the annual appeal campaign (see attached form), specifying how you want your contribution to be used.

• Renewing your annual membership.

• Volunteering to help with our various programs, including CGYHP

Wishing you a joyous holiday season, and a happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Dan Churchill, President

Name: _______________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________

Phone Number: _____________________         E-Mail: ____________________________

Membership Level

__ Individual Member $10 __ Senior Member 65+ $5            __ Sustaining Member $50

__ Household Member $15  ___ Contributing Member $250                            

Volunteer

___ I would be interested in serving, as a volunteer .I would be interested in serving on the following committee(s):__ Program Planning  __ Fundraising         __ Building (Museum)

__Archives                   _ Budget       ­­–– Cemetery    __ Carmine Guica Young Historians

Donations are always welcome and can be designated as follows:

__ For general purposes                    __ Young Historians             __Publications

__ Archaeological Activities                _ Museum & Archival             __ Special Events

__ Rankin Fund                                           __ Solzhenitsyn Project

__ Other (please specify)                   __ Cemetery Restoration           __ Preservation

If you have questions or wish to volunteer with CHS, please call 802-226-7807, e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com