On behalf of the Nye Family Board of Trustees, Seasons Greetings to all our members and friends! We had a fine season at the Homestead and Museum this year, with many interesting visitors and quite a few Nye Family descendants visiting - some from as far away as California. Our Open House in mid - June and the Autumn Gathering in late October were successful at drawing in many local people as well as tourists.
We hope you have a fine winter, and perhaps we will see you next year.
John Nye Cullity
Executive Director
Autumn Gathering Highlights
The 7th annual Autumn Gathering was a great success, with over 120 visitors passing through the Homestead & Museum, and the Artisan Craft Fair in the Grange Hall.
Hearth cook Mary Kennan gives a twist to the "chicken-on-a-string"
In the master chamber upstairs, Marge Donley spun wool and answered visitor's questions about early textiles. 2016 was Marge's 20th year as a docent - thanks, Marge!
Curator Rosanna Cullity assists in the kitchen. She is a special person, having led the effort to save the Homestead from demolition in 1957. She has been our guiding light and Curator since we acquired the Homestead in 1962!
Our special exhibit this year was on "Local Shoe making", so we were very pleased to have master shoe maker Peter Oakley of Old Sturbridge Village provide a demonstration.
In the Grange Hall next door, visitors examine handwoven cloth at the Artisan Craft Fair.
Mill Restoration Progress
November: Timber frame carpenters Pret Woodburn and Dave Wheelock are in the process of replacing a sill. Decades of roof leaks contributed to the decay of joists and timbers. Our Association acquired the 1858 mill (built 8 miles away in Centerville) in 2009. It has served as a grist mill, jewelry factory, trout hatchery shop, and will now be a very historic and useful addition to our museum.It sits on the foudation of Benjamin Nye's grist mill of 1669.
A heavy carrying girt is being raised into place, intercepting the replaced floor joists.
When an inner wall was removed, an 1890s labor notice and a photograph of James A. Garfield was discovered.
December: It's great to see the wall closed in.
The Nye Family Association welcomes your help with this interesting project. If you wish to learn more, call Executive Director John Cullity at (508) 888-7629.
