December is when the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) begins planning activities for the coming year, and we hope to have a schedule for the January briefs. In the meantime, if you haven’t had a chance to see The American Revolution by Ken Burns, all episodes are now streaming at the PBS website. This is only for a limited time if you are not a Passport subscriber. There is a special webpage for educators who’d like to use the series in the classroom (grades 3-12) or other educational settings.
CHS Books for Sale: We’re spending a lot of time studying Families of Cavendish, Volume 1, by Linda Welch, which focuses on Cavendish’s first settlers. Thanks to wills, diary entries and much more, we’re learning about day to day life during that time period. Vol. 1 is the perfect holiday gift for anyone interested in the first settlers of Cavendish. Copies are available for $40 plus $5 shipping and handling. Other books that the Cavendish lovers may enjoy include:
• Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: The Writer Who Changed History: Written for students in grades 4-7, but suitable for all ages $15 plus $5 S&H
• Cavendish Hillside Farm 1939 to 1957 written by Sandra Stearns who died this past summer $15 plus $5 S&H
• Chubb Hill Farm and Cavendish History: Copies include the Cavendish Historic Timeline $30 plus $5 S&H
• Carmine Guica’s Autobiography: $15 plus $5 S&H
If you live in or around the Black River Valley we’re happy to arrange for a pick up or drop of books. Please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
Winter Reads: The forecast is for a very snowy winter, so a good time to catch up on reading. CHS now has a lending library where you can borrow selected works of Solzhenitsyn, including the newest publication April 17: The Red Wheel, Node IV, Book 1. Please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com to learn more about this program. Many of Solzhenitsyn’s books, as well as books pertaining to Cavendish are available at the Cavendish Library in Proctorsville, as well as via audio books.
If you are interested in the Russian Revolution, or reading the Red Wheel, you may want to check out the 1917 Project. It’s set up like a social media site where daily events are posted using diaries, letters, memoirs, newspapers and other documents.
If you’ve read “Cancer Ward,” you might find the article The Root From Issyk-Kul Revisited, which gives insight into how Solzhenitsyn may have cured his own cancer.
The Fall CHS News is now on-line
CHS Annual Giving Campaign: Dear Friend:
It’s been a busy year. We had a lot of fun this summer at the new Proctorsville Farmers Market. Our “taste of history,” featuring the foods of the Revolutionary War era, was a big hit and we have lots of new recipes to try as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The Market also provided an opportunity to meet new people who had questions about town history, or told us stories we had never heard.
Our young historians continue to inspire us. After two years of, “preserving and serving” Greven Field-the students are helping to turn their old ball field into an efficient flood plain and nature trail. It looks like this spring they may even get to do some research on the effects of methods being used for flood remediation. They are becoming good stewards of our town.
Needless to say 2026 will be a busy year, We want to hear from you how you’d like to see Cavendish celebrate this significant anniversary of American independence. While we plan to offer the “Jeep Tour” that CHS ran in 1975/76 for the 200th Anniversary, we are looking to offer talks and workshops on a variety of topics, including the role women played in the war.
While we always need funds, this appeal isn’t just about money but the many ways you can support CHS. You can play an integral part by
• Becoming a board member
• 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.
This is your historical society so don’t hesitate to contact us about your interests as well as how you can help us continue our work.
Wishing you a joyous holiday season, and a safe and happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Margo Caulfield, Director
