Happy New Year! In spite of the ice, snow, cold and wind, the Cavendish Historical Society is having an interesting holiday season.
We received a call from Peter Cavendish, who is from the Isle of Man. Peter has made a study of Cavendish ancestry and its impact in other parts of the world. He will be sharing some of his work with us in the coming year and we may have an opportunity to connect with other places named Cavendish in England and beyond.
The current thinking is that Cavendish was named after William Cavendish, the 4th Duke of Devonshire, a British gentry. As part of Governor Wentworth’s “land grants,” many of the towns in Vermont were named for high ranking British nobility of that time.
Upcoming Events for 2026: This is the beginning calendar for 2026. Many more events will be added in the months to come. We will once again be doing the Proctorsville Farmers Market-Fridays on the Green- and will have all new dishes for “taste of history.”
Unless noted, CHS events are free. Donations are always welcome and appreciated. In the event of last minute changes due to weather, or another issue, information will be posted to the Cavendish Facebook page.
February 7 (Saturday): Write an 18th Century Valentine. The workshop will include: writing with a “quill pen,” examples of letters written for Valentine’s Day, folding the letter and sealing it with wax. 1-2:30 at the Cavendish Library
February 28 (Saturday): In keeping with Black History Month, this workshop will include screening portions of Ken Burns’ American Revolution series on the role of black patriots, the Ethiopian Army, and two Cavendish patriots-Peter Tumbo and Prince Robinson-who had been enslaved and made their way to Cavendish after the war. 1-2:30 pm at the Cavendish Library
March 14 (Saturday): Celebrating Women’s History month, this workshop will discuss the role of women in the American Revolution and will include screening segments of the American Revolution series. This workshop will include a “taste of history,” where “Liberty Tea” will be served.
June 7 (Sunday): Museum opens for the season 2-4 pm
June 20 (Saturday): Annual Cavendish Ghost Walk for Summer Solstice, meet at 8 pm at the Museum, wearing walking shoes, and bring a flashlight.
July 4 (Saturday): 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
July 25 (Saturday): Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale
September 12 (Sunday): Phineas Gage Walk and Talk, meet at the Museum at 2 pm. The walk includes the site of the Gage accident. It’s approximately three quarters of a mile from the Museum.
October 11 (Sunday): Last day the Museum is open for the season.
Donations for CHS can be sent to CHS, PO Box 472, Cavendish, VT 05142. Checks should be payable to the Cavendish Historical Society.
