The day in the life of a teenager in 1866

February 5th, 2010 Posted by janecairns

February 1866 – Abby Locke’s Diary Continues

The first entry is for February 16

Mon. Very disagreeable wet day.  Went to school all day and came home at night with a very bad headache.  Went to bed.  Found Florence sick with headache and Mother too.  Louise made some molasses candy.

Tues. Very bright and beautiful.  Such a contrast to yesterday and the roads are dry and nice.  It rained very hard in the night.  Mother is no better.  Went to dancing school in the afternoon.  Danced twice with Oliver Perry “Ole Splendid”  After that on the spur of the moment went to Lawrence with Edith.  Had a real nice time.

Sat. Quite rainy.  Mother is a little better.  Sat up a little while.  Bought a box of figs for Mother and found that she had a bag and so took them for my room.

Tues. Snowy almost always this winter.  It snows and spoils the skating almost as soon as we have any.  School all day and to a little prayer meeting after school

German composer Felix Mendelsson (1809-1847) was very popular in the post-Civil War United States

Fri. Warm and cloudy.  I went to the second Mendelsohn  (sic) Concert with Louise.  Sat on the seat with Tartletons, Mary Morton, Smith and the seat behind was full of boys!  I had a splendid time.  Chamberlain sat next to me.  Gave me his program.  I went up with Edith after school and ate an apple.  After that she came up in my room and ate figs then vinegar candy.  Made ourselves nearly sick.

Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Andover History | No Comments »

North Andover Historical Society’s Genealogy Class

January 24th, 2010 Posted by Julie Pike

North Andover Historical Society will hold a one day “Genealogy for Beginners” discussion.  Learn the fundamentals for investigating your family’s history on Feb. 10, 2010, at 7 PM at the North Andover Historical Society, 153 Academy Road, North Andover  (near old North Andover Center [Common]).

Robert Rainville , avid genealogist and long time member of the Society, will led the discussion.

There is limited seating and reservations are suggested by calling 978-686-4035.  You could email to nahistory@juno.com.

The event is free to Society members and for non-members, $5.00.

There is a snow day which is March 3, 2010.   If the weather is bad, call 978-686-4035 by noon on the day of the event for a cancellation notice or check www.northandoverhistoricalsociety.org for updates.

  • Share/Bookmark

Posted in Genealogy | No Comments »

The day in the life of a teenager in 1866

January 22nd, 2010 Posted by Carrie Midura

February 1866: Abby Locke’s Diary Continues
The first entry is for Wednesday, February 14th.

Abby's "real gay day" was also Valentine's Day. Is this a coincidence or did she receive a special valentine like this c.1860 example from the University of North Carolina?

Wed Went to dancing school. Oliver Perry was there. Danced with him.  Frank and Georgia Ray went up town and up to Addie (page torn out: no narrative seems to be missing) Abbots. Met Mattie (Whitmarsh?) and Ida Barret coming down. Saw whole lot of boys. W.Frye came up in the evening. This had been one of my real gay day.

Thurs (nothing written)

Friday Nothing important to day. Very cold. Met W. Frye coming home home(sic),  He told me that he had sent to New York for a black and tan dog for Louise after hunting all over Boston. I wonder when she will get it!

Saturday Went to school in the afternoon. Heard some very good reports one “History of Abbot Academy and all our wants and wishes were made known.  Mary Stevens was here and staid all night. Mr. Bates came in. He got back to night. We were all very glad to see him. W. Frye was in to (sic)

Sunday Went to church at N. Andover in the morning. Text 3 Col. 3 and went down to Episcopal in the afternoon. After that we walked down to Aunt Abbie’s and found Sarah Randall there and a Mr. Morse from Phillips.  It was raining when we started home we met the Carriage on High St. W.F. was here and we had a nice cosey talk in the dining room. I wore my new dress and its a beauty.

.

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Andover History | No Comments »

Sibal Winning AE 13y Wrought this AD 1812

January 19th, 2010 Posted by Carrie Midura

Sibyl Winning was born in Billerica in 1799 to Captain John Winning and Betsy (Parker) Winning. Betsy was formerly of Chelmsford. The second marriage for Capt. Winning, Sibyl was one of eight children, five of whom were still living at the time she stitched this sampler.

Her needlework skills were used to both practice and perfect her cross-stitch letters and numbers as well as to create a touching memorial to her deceased siblings. Typical of federal period sampler, the soft colors, weeping willows, and dated urns were intended to be stitched in tribute to lost loved ones.

Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: ,
Posted in collections | No Comments »

Andover Stories Celebrates Our Stitching Past

January 16th, 2010 Posted by Carrie Midura

.

Join us on Tuesday January 19th at 10:00 at the Historical Society for the year’s first Andover Stories.

.

An antique sampler from the Society's collection

Discover Andover’s needleworking past as Office Manager and costume historian, Carrie Midura, explores the world of school girl needlework. Enjoy a sampling of Andover stitchery as examples of 18th and 19th century cross stitch and embroidery from the collection of the Society are displayed and discussed.

.

Free to the public. 97 Main St Andover, MA 01810. (978) 475-2236

.

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Events | No Comments »

The day in the life of a teenager in 1866

January 15th, 2010 Posted by Carrie Midura

.

February 1866: Abby Locke’s diary continues

.

Thurs 8th Snowy and unpleasant.  School all day and studied.

.

Friday School all day without any dinner. Begged six cents one of each person. T.Clark was in in the evening. Went home about ten.

.

This 1843 edition of Geography of the Heavens is probably similar to the book mentioned in Abby's Diary.

Saturday I did not get up till nearly nine. How very lazy. Examined in “Geography of the Heavens” in the Hall. Got along nicely. Willie Donald came up in the afternoon.

.

Sunday Went to church in the morning. Text 2nd Chron. 11:16 See to thine own house. Read in the afternoon “Homes in the West” by Frederika Bremer.  Sam Louise and I were all alone to supper.  Had a real nice time.

.

Monday School all day. Very rainy.

.

Tuesday Went to school all day and down to Mrs. Chickerings in the evening. Had a real nice time. Otis Chickering came home with me. George came home with Louise.

.

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Andover History | No Comments »

Ancestry.com is coming to Boston in February

January 14th, 2010 Posted by Julie Pike

Ancestry.com is one of the largest Genealogy web sites.  It does require you to become a member, but it is worth it.  It is also worth joining New England Historic Genealogical Society especially if your family is from New England.

                     ” Family History Day 2010

                      Saturday, February 20, 2010 – 8 AM to 4 PM

                      Westin Copley Place, Boston, MA

 

Ancestry.com and the New England Historic  Genealogical Society (NEHGS) are excited to sponsor a Family History Day in Boston.   The day will include

   * 6 fantastic classes to help you grow your tree

  * Ancestry.com experts on hand to answer your questions

 * Chances to meet one-on-one with genealogist from NEHGS

 * Opportunities to have photos and documents scanned on high-   speed scanners

 * And much more!

 

The cost for attendance is only $30.00, which includes parking.  Register today to attend Family History Day 2010 in Boston by going to the NEHGS web site:  www.newenglandancestors.org and click on Family History Day.

 

Family History Classes

Get pro tips and guidance from the experts at Ancestry.com and the New England Historic Genealogical Society in these incredible classes:

   Getting the most out of your Ancestry.com subscription–Get an inside look at the historical records and tree-building tools on Ancestry.com

   Tapping into the Ancestry.com Community — Find out how to access and communicate with the world’s largest online community of family historians.

   Getting the most from Family Tree Maker — Learn how Family Tree Maker can help you effectively organize, manage, and share your family history.

   Best strategies for searching Ancestry.com — discover how to search the more than 4 billion records on Ancestry.com like a pro.

   Discover NEHGS:  Your Family History Resource –Uncover how the New England Historic Genealogical Society can further your research.

   Organize, Organize, Organize — Avoid the ‘paper trap’ with proven methods to track the progress of your research and plan the best next steps.

 

One-on-one consultation with an Expert Genealogist — FREE

  Hit a brick wall in your research?  Sit down with a professional genealogist who can help answer you research question during a free 15 min. consultations offered through out the day.

 

Digitize your Family Records –FREE

Ancestry.com is excited to provided Family History Day attendees the opportunity to have their family photos and historical documents scanned on our professional scanning equipment.  It’s a unique opportunity to have your family history records digitized!

 

Hotel Room Discount Rate

We’ve secured a limited number of rooms at a discounted rate of $145.00 plus applicable taxes at the Westin Copley Place for the evening of February 19.”

   I would suggest that you plan to attend the Family History Day because you can always learn something.   This is a great opportunity to learn more about New England Historic Genealogical Society and what it has to offer you and your genealogy.  See you there.

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags:
Posted in All About AHS | No Comments »

Girl Scout Afternoon: Winter Fun

January 14th, 2010 Posted by Carrie Midura

Experience what a winter’s evening might have been like in 1800s Andover without electricity or TV. Play games, make a craft, and eat snacks all by candle light.

.

Wednesday, January 27th
12:30 – 2:00
at the Historical Society

.

$15 per scout, includes snack, and craft supplies.

.

Limited to 20 participants. Please call 978.475.2236 for more information or to reserve your place. Additional Girl Scout Afternoons can be found by visiting the Event Calendar on our website or in the right column of the Blanchard House Blog.

.

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , ,
Posted in Events | No Comments »

Want to know how to start your Genealogy Research?

January 5th, 2010 Posted by Julie Pike

You now have the time and energy to start your Genealogy Research, but you do not know where or how to start it. There is a course at Nothern Essex Community College in Haverhill that will be offering Genealogy 101 starting Monday, March 29 for 6 weeks from 10 AM – Noon in the Technical Center Room 205. The course number is 172 LLLP 1005 HA. The cost is $40.00 (includes book). Call the Life Long Learning Center at 978-556-3700 to register.

The advance course in Genealogy is to join the First Tuesday Genealogy Group which is made up of people in different places in their Genealogy Research. If we are having a problem, someone in the Group is geneally able to give us some guidance as where to go to find the answer. We are there to help one another. The Group meets the first Tuesday of the month from March to June and September to December from 10 AM to 11:30 AM in the Technical Center Room 205. It is free and open to the public. Please register through 978-556-3825.

See you there.

  • Share/Bookmark

Posted in Genealogy | No Comments »

Sarah Sycz Leaving AHS

December 14th, 2009 Posted by Elaine Clements
In the spring and fall of each year, Sarah could be seen in a traditional 1830s costume surrounded by enthusiastic third graders. Photo credit: Gretchen Chingris

In the spring and fall of each year, Sarah could be seen in a traditional 1830s costume surrounded by enthusiastic third graders. Photo credit: Gretchen Chingris

.

It is with a heavy heart that I announce that the Society’s Museum Educator Sarah Sycz will be leaving the Society at the end of December. In her nearly three years at the Historical Society, Sarah brought about significant and positive changes in the way the Society interacts with the Andover community. We wish Sarah all the best with her next adventure as director of the library in her home town of Kingston, New Hampshire.

.

Please join us for a farewell potluck luncheon for Sarah Wednesday, December 23rd, 12:00 noon, at the Historical Society. Please RSVP to Carrie or Elaine and let us know what you would like to bring to the luncheon.

.

One of Sarah’s first assigned projects was the establishment of the Andover Farmers’ Market. As Sarah began to research how to build a successful farmers’ market, she discovered that she was not the only person in town exploring the possibility of bringing a farmers’ market to Andover. Over the past three years, Sarah worked with Andover resident Libby Poland to bring the Andover Farmers’ Market to the community. Between July and October, hundreds of people now shop the market, visit the Historical Society, and enjoy the weekly craft activities and demonstrations in the Society’s Blanchard Barn.

.

In 2007, Sarah also worked with former Historical Society curator Andy Grilz to reconfigure the exhibits and spaces in the Blanchard Barn. Together they created a new General Store exhibit and Print Shop activity area on the first floor of the barn. Students participating in the Society’s signature third grade program, Andover at Work, no longer climb to the second floor of the barn to experience those segments of the program. Over the year that followed, Sarah led a team of volunteers on a project to revise the now 25 year old Andover at Work program to be more efficient to manage and more enjoyable and educational for the students. Throughout, Sarah worked closely with former Andover teacher Jim Redmond, an Historical Society Board member and head of the Life Long Learning Committee, on new educational programs, community outreach, and a wide variety of new projects.

.

From the 1830s to the 1950s...Sarah modeled a 1950s ballgown in the Society's Parade of Party Fashions, December 8th.

From the 1830s to the 1950s...Sarah modeled a 1950s ballgown in the Society's Parade of Party Fashions, December 8th.

This year, Sarah launched and managed the Society’s new oral history program, What’s Your Story? Through the oral history program, the Society was able to gather the personal stories of a number of community leaders before they left us forever. More recently, Sarah worked with Historical Society Office Manager Carrie Midura on a new Volunteer Guild for the Society. This group of enthusiastic volunteers meets monthly for a special program, field trip, or project.

.

We will miss Sarah greatly. She brought a level of energy and professionalism to the Society that was much needed and she will be leaving behind a legacy of fine work.  Thank you, Sarah!

.

Elaine Clements

Executive Director

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags:
Posted in All About AHS | No Comments »

« Older Entries