Kelly unveiled the historical society cookbook to members at the society picnic on Sunday 8th August.
The cook book is titled ‘Duxbury Dishes’ and is filled with recipes and commentary from our society members.
Please call Kelly Welch at 244-5627 to get your copy for $10 each.
Issue 19 of the newsletter is now available for download……
Issue 18 of the newsletter is now available for download……
The plant sale information for 2010 is now available.
Please click on ‘Plant Sale’ at the top of the page for more information and to download the order form.
The latest edition of the ‘Under The Hump’ newsletter is currently being distributed by mail and e-mail. Visit the newsletter page to view this or any past issue.
The latest edition of the ‘Under The Hump’ newsletter is currently being distributed by mail and e-mail. Visit the newsletter page to view this or any past issue.
The winter meeting is on tuesday November 10th.
On Tuesday, November 10th, the Duxbury Historical Society will host an evening of history through music, with the Vermont Humanities Council presentation, “The Vermont Civil War Songbook.” Researched and performed by local singer, Linda Radtke, the program features songs and letters written by Vermonters during the war.
Through her research at the Vermont History Center in Barre, Radtke has collected and performed Vermont songs that date as far back as 1798 and as recently as the new state song, “These Green Mountains.” The Vermont Civil War Songbook, which she developed and performed for the 2008 Vermont History Expo in Tunbridge, Vt., has been very well-received. “There are so many people interested in that period of Vermont history,” she says, “and it’s just taken off.”
When Radtke, who taught both English and drama at Harwood Union High School, retired from teaching, she and her accompanist, John Lincoln, auditioned for the Vermont Humanities Council Speakers’ Bureau. “It’s been fun for me, as a musician, to get to know history in this way.”
Radtke has been able to personalize many of her performances, weaving stories and letters from local families into her program. In Duxbury, she will share excerpts of letters from the Turner family, and also poetry about the death of Jonathan Boyden, who grew up in Dowsville.
Many of the songs Radtke performs have not been sung since the Civil War era. She notes there is a distinct difference between the jubilant songs written in 1861, at the start of the war, and those written later. “As the years went on—and especially as the boys came back to the Civil War hospitals set up in the state–the whole tone changed,” Radtke explains, “and they just break your heart.”
The period clothing Radtke dons for each performance was designed to reflect what an upper class Montpelier woman would have worn in 1861. “My costume is actually based on the fashion of 1859,” Radtke explains, “because in those days it took a couple of years for fashion to get up here.” Her attire includes a hoopskirt, though Radtke is quick to admit, “I don’t do corsets. I don’t know how people could even sit [in them].” Radtke has recently acquired a new hat, after an audience member came up to her and proclaimed, “My dear, your costume is wonderful, but your hat looks like road kill!” The woman, Mary Kaminski of Northfield, took the design of Radtke’s battered 1860s chapeau and made her a new one.
Radtke’s experience with public generosity has not been limited to her headwear; as she travels the state, people continue to present her with more Vermont songs. “People have had songs hanging out in their piano stools sometimes,” she says. “And they end up in the Vermont History Center, which is the whole point.” At the Waterbury Senior Center, Radtke was given a song called, “Duxbury Days of Yore,” by Dorothy Dean. The tune, she says with a laugh, sounds suspiciously like “Oh My Darlin’ Clementine.”
In Montpelier, still another benefactor approached Radtke with the idea of recording a collection of historical Vermont songs for school children, and helped to fund the project. The CD will be offered through the Vermont Humanities Council, and should be out before winter. “It’s so exciting,” says Radtke. “It’s a great way to learn history.”
“The Vermont Civil War Songbook” begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday Nov. 10th at the Crossett Brook Middle School in Duxbury. Call Don Welch at 802-244-7558 for more information.
The club met at the South Duxbury Church for the annual summer picnic and meeting. The weather cooporated and people mostly sat outside.
It is always good to meet up with people during the summer. The food and friendship was great.
Julie Wilder made home made ice-cream with an old fashioned crank machine with lots of ice and salt.
Justin Blackman set up a small grill for hot dogs.
The picnic was followed by a short business meeting led by Julie Wilder As Don Welch is out of town.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting at the Crossett Brook Middle School at 6:00pm on Tuesday November 10th.
This is the first message on the NEW Duxbury Historical Society Website. Please be patient for a few days while I create pages and add information. Justin
